Fastballs, Breaking Balls & Off-Speed Pitches: Types of Pitches to Know
Major League Baseball identifies 14 different types of pitches. However, there are dozens of ways that pitchers can throw each pitch. Pitching is more art than science. You can develop your own version of a fastball or curve ball by using a grip that’s unique. Or by delivering the pitch in an unconventional way. Before you can really master your craft, you need to work on some fundamental pitches.
There are 3 categories of pitches: fastballs, breaking balls, and off-speed pitches. Almost every developed pitcher will throw at least 1 type of pitch from each category. Below is a description of pitches from each category.
Core Fastball Variations
The key to any pitch is deception. When you throw a split-finger fastball, which is the slowest fastball, the speed of your arm motion shouldn’t change. The ball will come to the batter slower or faster, depending on the type of grip the pitcher is using. When pitchers are on the mound, they never show their grip. They grip the ball inside their glove. If the batter knows the grip, they can anticipate the type of pitch and have a better chance of hitting it. The only time a player might be able to see the grip is at the top of the pitcher’s delivery. By then, it’s too late to factor that component into their at-bat.
Four-Seam Fastball: This is generally considered a standard fastball. The movement of the ball, if any, is slightly downward. A pitcher’s strategy with a four-seamer is to rear back and throw the baseball with as much velocity as possible. The idea is the hitter won’t be able to react quickly enough to get their bat on the ball. A standard four-seam grip is placing your first 2 fingers across the horseshoe shape of the seams with your thumb directly below your top 2 fingers and your ring finger stretched out over the side of the ball. A four-seam fastball usually has backspin on it. You can make your fingers wider or narrower on the ball, based on your preference.
Two-Seam Fastball: A two-seam fastball is a slightly slower version of a four-seam fastball with more movement. A two-seam fastball should move down and into a right-handed batter from a right-handed pitcher. It’s the opposite for a left-handed pitcher. Some pitchers can throw a two-seam fastball that drops dramatically as it reaches the plate. The grip for a two-seam fastball is along the seams. The pitcher rotates their wrist inward when releasing the ball, which creates “action” on the baseball.
Cut Fastball: A cut fastball grip is similar to a four-seam fastball grip with a few exceptions. Your first 2 fingers are inside the horseshoe-shaped seams instead of across them, your thumb is underneath the baseball, and your ring finger is curled across the bottom seam. A cutter is slower than a four-seam fastball. Snap your wrist downward while applying pressure when you throw the pitch. The ball should drop down and away from a right-handed pitcher to a right-handed batter.
Split-Finger Fastball: A split-finger fastball is the slowest fastball. You hold the ball between your first and second fingers with your thumb on the side of the baseball. Your hand basically forms a V around the ball. Use a normal throwing motion to deliver the baseball.
Breaking & Off-Speed Pitches
With most types of pitches, the object is for the baseball to look like it’s not going to be a strike when it leaves the pitcher’s hand. A good pitch will have late movement into the strike zone. A sequence where the ball dives into the strike zone at the last second makes it difficult for batters to get the bat on the ball, or a sequence where the ball appears to be a strike as it leaves the pitcher’s hand and then moves out of the strike zone is another way to fool batters. Deception is important for pitchers. Below is a description of breaking and off-speed pitches.
Curve Ball: The most popular breaking pitch is a curve ball. Almost every professional pitcher throws a curve ball and fastball. The curve ball is a slow pitch that’s designed to break down as it comes to the plate, though sometimes it can break down and away from the pitcher’s throwing arm. For a curve ball, grip the baseball with your first 2 fingers close together along the seam. Your third and fourth fingers should be on the side of the ball with your pinkie on top of your ring finger. When you release a curve ball, your wrist should snap down, and your palm will be facing upward with your thumb facing away from your body. This movement creates forward spin, which is what makes a curveball drop. A curve ball can move 17.5 inches. A Major League curve ball on average is 10 to 12 miles per hour slower than a fastball.
Slider: A slider is a faster version of a curve ball or a mix of a cut fastball and curve. A slider drops less than a curve, and it often has more horizontal break. Your middle finger is usually placed on the seam with your first finger running through the middle of the horseshoe and your thumb slightly off center and underneath your 2 fingers. The ball usually touches the knuckle of your ring finger. You release a slider the same way you release a curve ball. Typically, a slider travels 6 to 10 miles per hour slower than your fastball.
Changeup: A changeup falls into the off-speed category. It’s not a pitch that overwhelms hitters with velocity or even movement. A good changeup is a pitch that batters think is a fastball, but because of a special grip, it travels to the plate slower than most other pitches. Pitchers often have varying changeup speeds. They might throw it 8 to 10 mph slower than their fastball or just 5 or 6 mph slower. One common way to grip a changeup is with the “Hook ‘Em Horns” grip. Your second and third fingers should be in the center of the baseball, your pinkie and first finger on the sides and your thumb underneath it. As you release the ball, your wrist should pronate inwardly. With this changeup grip, the ball should sink and run away from the pitching hand.
Choosing the Right Pitches to Learn
It’s important for younger players to learn pitches at the appropriate age. Because throwing certain pitches can put stress on your arm, it’s a good idea to wait until they’re in middle school before they start working on a curve or slider. When kids reach high school, they should work on 3 types of pitches: a fastball, a breaking pitch, and an off-speed pitch. Many kids throw fastballs, curveballs, and conventional changeups. If they move onto college, they can start to develop other pitches.
As you get better at throwing different types of pitches, you’ll figure out what grips for each pitch work for you. It’s possible that you’ll make tweaks on your four-seam fastball grip to get a slightly different movement on the baseball. That’s what makes pitching so interesting. Pitchers can individualize their approach, making it challenging for hitters to figure out.