Fastball

A baseball pitch thrown for speed, typically with less movement than a pitcher’s breaking or off-speed pitches. Its main variations differ in grip, trajectory, and movement.

Four-seam fastball: A fastball grip that places four seams across the fingers during each rotation, often producing high velocity and backspin. Its direct backspin and stable flight make it the archetypal velocity pitch.
Pitch sequencing: The ordering of pitches in an at-bat to influence a batter’s expectations and decisions. A fastball establishes a speed baseline that makes slower pitches harder to time.
Changeup: An off-speed pitch thrown with fastball-like arm action but reduced velocity. Its speed contrast is designed to disrupt timing established by the fastball.
Pitcher injury: Physical damage sustained by a baseball pitcher, often involving the throwing arm or shoulder. High-effort fastball throwing is linked to substantial stress on the throwing arm.
Two-seam fastball: A fastball grip that follows two seams during rotation, commonly producing arm-side movement and some sink. The grip trades some straightness for movement while retaining fastball speed.
Pitch tunneling: A pitching strategy in which different pitches follow similar early paths before separating near the plate. Fastballs often share an initial flight path with breaking pitches, delaying recognition.
Slider: A breaking pitch thrown with lateral movement and less velocity than a fastball. Its sharper break offers a different route to missing bats.
Tommy John surgery: Surgery that reconstructs the elbow’s ulnar collateral ligament, commonly using a tendon graft. The procedure is a prominent response to a ligament injury associated with pitching.
Cut fastball: A fastball that moves late toward the pitcher’s glove side, usually with less movement than a slider. It shows how a small grip and spin change can make a fastball break.
Strikeout: An out recorded when a batter receives three strikes during a plate appearance. Velocity can beat a hitter’s swing timing and produce missed strikes.

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