Different Pitches.......and the Reasons We Throw Them:
Four-seam fastball - Maximum velocity and should have best command. This is the most important pitch because everything else works off of it.
Two-seam fastball (a.k.a. sinker) - This fastball does just that, it sinks. A very good pitch for inducing ground balls.
Cut-fastball - Holding the ball slightly off center, it will run away from the arm side. Usually a few mph slower than a four-seam fastball. Good for jamming opposite side hitters.
Split-finger fastball - Strictly an out pitch. Dives down hard at home plate, many times getting missed swings.
Change-up - Slower than a fastball, but thrown with the same arm action. The arm speed is very important in getting the maximum effectiveness. This pitch helps control bat speed.
Curveball - Most often a strikeout pitch. Dives down as it gets to home plate. Many times the velocity is as effective as the movement, because it’s usually much slower than a fastball.
Slider - In between a fastball and a curveball. It’s harder than a curveball with less downward action. The slider has a smaller break with a tighter spin. Many times you can see a small dot in the baseball as it’s coming toward you.
Knuckleball - A pitch that has very little or no spin. It's very difficult to control and catch. No one knows what it will do usually, which makes it also hard to hit. A very hard pitch to throw.
