Common Baseball Pitches
Fastballs are the most common pitch in baseball, thrown hard to overpower the batter with speed. They come in various forms, including the four-seam, two-seam, cut fastball, split-finger fastball, and forkball. The fastball can be thrown with or without movement, with some sinking due to their trajectories.
The Rarest of Pitches
The eephus is one of the rarest pitches thrown in baseball. Known for its exceptionally low speed, it is thrown very high in the air, resembling a slow-pitch softball pitch and can catch a hitter off guard. Other rare pitches include the screwball, forkball, knuckleball, and the eephus pitch, which differs from other pitches due to its low speed and minimal movement.
Pitch Varieties and MLB Records
Baseball pitching is diverse, and no one pitch can be deemed the best. Common pitches include:
- The Fastball: Thrown hard, direct three types are four-seam and two-seam fastballs.
- The Slider: A pitch that complements the fastball and requires precision.
- The Changeup: This pitch deceives the batter with its unexpected "drop-off."
- The Curveball: Known for its substantial horizontal and vertical movement, it’s often a surprise pitch.
The fastball is typically the first pitch a pitcher throws to assess the batter’s timing. In Major League Baseball (MLB), fastballs usually exceed 90 mph and are often thrown with a four-seam grip for control and velocity. MLB records for pitching extremes include Leon Cadore’s estimated 360 pitches during a 26-inning game in 1920, and Aroldis Chapman’s record-setting 105.1 mph pitch. Pitchers now often have a limit of around 100 pitches per game to prevent injury, but high pitch counts and extra innings are still seen occasionally.