Pitch Types
[Four-Seam Fastball]
A fastball with a straight trajectory. During one full rotation of the ball, four seams pass through the air. In Japan, this pitch is commonly called a "Straight" or "Fastball."
[Two-Seam Fastball]
A fastball with slight sinking movement. During one full rotation of the ball, two seams pass through the air.
[Sinking Fastball]
A sinking fastball, meaning a fastball with downward movement, often referred to as a "Sinker" in America. This term generally refers to fastballs with significant sink within the category of moving fastballs, such as two-seamers.
Note: In Japan, "Sinker" refers to a different pitch entirely.
[Shooter (Shuto)]
A pitch that moves in the direction of the pitcher’s throwing arm.
[Sinker]
A pitch that moves downward while curving in the direction of the pitcher’s throwing arm.
In the U.S., "Sinker" is often an abbreviation for "Sinking Fastball," meaning a fastball with downward movement. This differs from the Japanese definition of "Sinker."
[Screwball]
A pitch that moves downward while curving in the direction of the pitcher’s throwing arm.
The distinction between a Sinker and a Screwball isn’t clearly defined; the terms often depend on the pitch's specific movement or whether the pitcher is right- or left-handed. In some cases, they are considered identical pitches.
[Slider]
A pitch that slides laterally in the direction opposite to the pitcher’s throwing arm.
Variations include:
Vertical Slider: Drops vertically.
High-Speed Slider: A faster version.
Massura: A pitch with movement between a fastball and a slider.
Slurve: A mix between a slider and a curveball.
[Cutter (Cut Fastball)]
Thrown with a cutting grip, this is a fast pitch with small, sharp movement.
[Curveball]
A relatively slow pitch that drops while curving in the direction opposite to the pitcher’s throwing arm.
Variations include:
Slow Curve: A slower version with a larger curve.
Drop Curve: A pitch that drops sharply in a vertical motion.
[Knuckle Curve]
A curveball thrown with the index or middle finger raised on the ball, causing it to break sharply downward compared to a standard curve.
Example: Ryota Igarashi's Knuckle Curve in ultra slow motion.
[Forkball]
A pitch thrown by gripping the ball between the index and middle fingers, resulting in a sharp vertical drop.
[Split-Finger Fastball (SFF)]
Thrown with a similar grip to a Forkball but with a shallower hold, this pitch drops vertically at a faster speed.
[Changeup]
A slower pitch thrown with the same arm motion as a fastball, often using a grip that reduces force transmission, such as:
Circle Change: Using the thumb and index finger to form an "OK" shape.
Vulcan Change: Gripping the ball with the middle and ring fingers.
[Palmball]
Thrown with the ball pressed into the palm of the hand, this pitch drops vertically.
[Slow Ball]
A pitch with a speed under 100 km/h, following a high-arcing trajectory.
In English, this is referred to as an Eephus Pitch.
Example: Tadano’s ultra slow ball – May 1st, Nippon-Ham vs. SoftBank.
[Knuckleball]
Thrown with the fingers pointed, this pitch is nearly spinless and moves unpredictably while dropping.
[Gyroball]
A pitch with a spin axis aligned with the direction of travel. Its movement resembles a vertical slider but experiences minimal deceleration.
credits: https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/jubilonhh/diary/201909070000/