How Do You Recognize Different Pitches In Baseball?
Ever wonder how baseball sportscasters can so readily name each pitch as soon as it hits the catcher’s mitt? Even if you’ve watched thousands of baseball games, it may still be difficult to determine the difference between a circle change and a slider. Below is an overview of the three general categories of pitches. It doesn’t cover everything and new pitches are constantly being invented, but it is a good place to start. Note that the ball comes straight out of the pitcher’s hand. It is not relevant where the pitch is being thrown but that it is moving quickly. Determine that a four-seam fastball has very little to no movement and is the straightest pitch. Distinguish the two-seam fastball as it moves down and sometimes into a right handed hitter. This pitch is also known as a sinker. Mix the fastball and slider together to get a cutter. This pitch breaks away from right handers when it reaches the plate. It has more speed than a typical slider but it moves more than a straight fastba
