Throwing a pitch is where every baseball play begins. It’s just a throw for the uninitiated; indeed, it’s a true art form. Get ready to make a mental note of diverse baseball pitches as well as betting sites in Kenya with free bets to put no-risk wagers on this gripping sport.
We’re not exaggerating if we say that the pitcher is one of the central figures in baseball. And if we’re talking about the presence on the field, this player is as central as it gets. The pitcher’s mound is in the heart of the diamond-shaped venue.
The pitcher’s primary job is throwing a strike or pitching the ball to the catcher in a way that prevents the batter from hitting it. Throws can be made from either the windup or set position depending on the runner-on-base situation and the pitcher’s body position to home plate.
As is clear from the name, the starting pitcher is the one who makes the first throw and actually starts the game. The starters shoulder responsibility, but there are always backup pitchers on every team, namely:
Aside from pitching, the pitcher can be actively involved in defense, moving around the diamond, fielding balls, and covering the bases and home plate.
A pitcher is not a pitcher without a strategy. Only a well-calibrated throw can lead to a strike and even more – to a strikeout. The ball masters resort to various tricks to outfox the batter. Concentration, self-control, and skillful technique help them achieve their goal successfully.
There is a diversity of pitches made with different speeds, trajectories, grips, and hands. Moreover, each type can have its variations. Below are the main categories with brief characteristics.
| Pitch type | Description | Speed, Km/h | Subtypes |
| Fastball | Very hard and straight | 130-160 | 4-seam fastball/ 2-seam fastball/ Sinker/ Cutter |
| Slider | Hard with a sharp break | 130-145 | |
| Curveball | Soft and parabolic | 100-130 | 12-6 curveball/ Knuckle curve/ Power curveball |
| Changeup | Straight and slow | 110-130 | Palmball/ Circle changeup/ Fosh/ Vulcan changeup |
| Knuckleball | Slow with reduced spinning | 97-113 | Two-fingered/ Three-fingered/ Four-fingered |
Baseball players spend years honing their throwing technique to achieve the perfect pitch. That’s delicate and meticulous work: one awkward move and the ball goes the wrong way. This post will not replace a real coach but will clue you in on how to throw some pitches.
It’s the hardest and fastest one. To throw it, you need to put your index and middle fingers on top of the ball, perpendicular to the horseshoe-like seam. Make sure your thumb is in the center of the ball on its back side.
The trick is to keep the middle finger on the ball as long as possible to give the pitch a heavy backspin.
In this grip, the index and middle fingers are close together along one of the outside seams, while the thumb lies along the opposite inner seam. You should grip the ball firmly with your index finger.
Before throwing, you need to tilt the wrist slightly towards the thumb, and when releasing the ball, you should press it with your index finger only.
For a basic curveball, you need to grasp the ball between your middle finger and thumb, placing the former next to the bottom seam and the latter near the back seam. The index finger points direction but is not used for gripping.
As you release the ball, make a motion with your hand as if you were going to snap your fingers by turning your thumb up and middle finger down.
If you’re a beginner, it’s best to start with the three-finger pitch. To get the grip, place your index, middle, and ring fingers on top of the baseball; your thumb and pinky are underneath the ball, touching each other.
The secret is that the pitch is thrown like a fastball, but the velocity is reduced by friction against the palm of the hand holding the ball.
That’s a special pitch in every way, including its gripping, throwing, and catching. The thing is that you have to hold the ball not with your knuckles but with your fingertips, pressing your fingernails along the seam behind the horseshoe.
When delivering a pitch, don’t try to push the ball, but rather release it from your hand while extending all your fingers simultaneously and leaving your wrist stiff.
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A baseball throw can decide the outcome of a game. The richer the skill set and the greater the pitcher’s mastery, the higher the team’s chances of winning. Knowing diverse pitches can make the game even more fun to watch while improving your predictions’ accuracy.