Baseball Pitches Various Types

Baseball is a very interesting game and you tend to enjoy more or be better at playing it when you are aware of the basic rules & regulations. Though there are different aspects of the game that need attention, primarily you should start with the baseball pitching. Many understand that there is only one kind of baseball pitch, but the truth is that there are different kinds of them. This article pour light on different type of baseball pitches, giving you a better understanding of the game.

The Ryan Express

For all those who did not know this about Nolan Ryan, he is one of the finest baseball players, known to have his way through the pitches. He would go up to a 100 mph speed, and given that there is a start point on the pitch, he would start so fast that the media gave him the name as ‘Ryan Express’. He had an incredible speed that sometimes changed the course of the game. Mastering different techniques for different pitches, Ryan Express did a fine job at every pitch.

 The Commoner

The fastball technique is a common used option on the pitch. As the name suggests, the pitch is thrown at a higher speed. The task however is to maintain a sense of control in that direction, where it comes straight onto the batter. It comes in multiple variations like split-finger, cutter, sinker, two-seam and four-seam etc. This pitch is all about speed and with the high speed and fast pace, nothing can come in between the batter and the ball.

Deception

Have you ever heard of breaking ball? It is primarily aimed to hit onto the bat straight and is not as fast as the fastball. Such a ball has the ability to go sideways or even downwards based on the motion, speed and other elements. In most sports, there are some techniques related to deception, because, when you deceive the batter, chances of things working in your favor are high.

Therefore, in this situation too, the batter might expect the ball to come in one direction but some pitches are such that the direction of the ball changes before it reaches to the batter. Variations in the ball could be curveball, knuckle ball or even sliders. Now, a baller who uses breaking ball during pitching is known as a junkballer.

Speedy Change

Another very common baseball pitching style is Change. Such pitching is definitely slower compared to the pace of a fastball. Certainly, its arm action is quite similar to that of a fastball but the delivering of the fall is at a slower velocity. If you are wondering how this happens, it does so because of the ball grabbing technique, where the player holds the ball using a special grip. The best thing about this pitching is that it often confuses the batter because the moment it starts, the batter might confuse it with fastball but by the time it reaches onto it, it changes.

Knuckleball

As stated earlier, knuckleball can be a game changer because the batter least expects it. This pitching is way too unpredictable compared to the rest. The manner in which it is thrown into the air, the spin it takes to creating vortices, it is difficult to read what is happening. The batter faces immense challenge in dealing with such balls.

Nothing Ball

The name says nothing but it is a technique that the player throws the ball from a slow softball pitch and still the batter is caught off guard. He is not aware of what comes along, more like eephus, which means nothing.

Conclusion

Above mentioned is a quick overview on some of the common names associated with baseball pitches. There may be more additions to the list, for someone who holds deeper interest in this topic; he or she can refer to related information online. For a player, if you are increasing your throwing velocity keeping some important tips in mind, you can weave your own magic on the field like how Nolan Ryan managed to do. Interestingly, such pitching techniques are polished over the course of time, with practice and diligence and you identify best with what suits you the most.