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Types of Pitches for Baseball - Grips and Recommendations

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HomeBlogsJack Perconte's blogTypes of Pitches for Baseball - Grips and Recommendations
Types of Pitches for Baseball - Grips and Recommendations
Types of Pitches for Baseball - Grips and Recommendations
Author: 
Jack Perconte

Types Of Pitches For Baseball - Grips And Recommendations

Baseball is a game of strategy and skill, and pitching is an essential aspect of the sport. There are many types of pitches that pitchers can throw, each with its own unique grip and movement. However, it's important to note that not all pitches are suitable for young baseball players, and it's crucial to consider factors such as age, physical strength, and throwing mechanics before attempting any pitch beyond the primary pitch, the fastball.

For young pitchers, it's recommended to stick to throwing four and two-seam fastballs and a simple changeup until they develop the correct throwing mechanics and achieve greater physical strength. The cutter pitch, split-finger fastball, and slider should be avoided until high school ages, as they put extra stress on the pitcher's arm. It's also important to note that players should avoid throwing pitches they are not physically ready for, as it can result in arm injuries.

Developing sound throwing mechanics is essential for young pitchers, and seeking out a trained baseball pitching coach is recommended. Once throwing mechanics are established, pitchers can work on developing balance, timing, and the best arm angle for their throwing delivery. As players grow and develop, they can expand their pitching repertoire, but the first concern for young ballplayers should always be perfecting the throwing fundamentals. With practice and experimentation, young players can develop a pitching style that works for them, allowing them to become skilled and successful pitchers.

Types Of Pitches For Youth Baseball Players

Many types of pitches for developing and established pitchers exist, along with grip variations on each of those pitch types and possibilities. The age, physical strength, and of young pitchers must be a consideration before attempting to throw any pitch besides the primary pitch, the fastball. Additionally, the grip, arm angle, and release point one player employs may not work for each player, so players must experiment with those factors until they feel comfortable with the desired ball movement and pitch control.

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Most youth players below the high school level do not have the hand size or strength to throw some of the types of pitches, so they should be careful of trying some of these at a young age. Many pitchers throw and arm injuries occur because they throw pitches they are not physically ready for throwing.

As athletes grow, develop the correct throwing mechanics, and achieve greater physical strength, they can expand their pitching repertoire. For most young pitchers, they should stick to throwing four and two-seam fastballs, along with a simple changeup. Also, until the high school ages, they should stay away from the cutter pitch, the split-finger fastball, and the slider. As you will read about, those specialty pitches put extra stress on the pitcher's arm.

The baseball pitches like the forkball, knuckleball, and screwball should not be a consideration for pitchers unless they give them a try as a last-ditch effort to save their pitching career. Very few players in the history of the game could perfect those types of pitches to make them worthwhile. Deciding which age to throw the curveball should come after consultation with a professional pitching coach, as the age can vary from player to player. Player and hand size are crucial elements to throwing a curve ball correctly so that the choice will be different from player to player. Of course, the first concern for young ballplayers should be perfecting the throwing fundamentals. Without those, speed development, control, and injury avoidance will not occur.

Seeking out a trained baseball pitching coach to ensure good throwing mechanics is essential. It is worth noting that times have changed since many adult coaches played, so they should stay up to date on the latest pitching methods and drills to use with today's young pitchers. Once the throwing mechanics are sound, players can begin to work on their pitching delivery, which is another variable for all pitchers. Developing balance, timing, and the best arm angle for the pitcher will take time, experimentation, and practice.

Following is a list of the most common baseball pitches and mentioned in the order they should be learned. Kids should see how many pitches and try them with their natural arm angles without trying to change their normal release angle so as to avoid injury. Go here for more on how to throw a change up.

Types of Pitches for Baseball

Four Seam Fastball Pitch

Four Seam Fastball

Fastest Pitch of All Four-seam fastball. This throwing grip is the one kids should learn first from the beginning. It is the ideal way to grip a ball when playing catch and from each position on the ball diamond. The four-seamer is the fastest baseball pitch and the one with the least amount of movement. For young players whose hands are still quite small, they can practice this throw with a three-finger grip until their hands grow and when they can keep the two-fingers on top of the ball with the four-seam grip.

Middle Finger Control

The ability to keep the middle finger on top through the middle of the ball with no twist upon release is critical. The ideal grip to get the most speed and control is with the fingers and the thumb directly centered on the ball. This grip provides the most spin upon release. With youth, it's important to make sure their middle finger is on the seam of the ball as that is the last thing that will touch the ball on release and this adds spin to it.

Two-seam fastball pitching grips

The ideal for pitchers is to have a fastball that moves, and that is what a two-seam grip can produce. Of course, this may not happen for young pitchers with a full two seam fastball grip this pitch, but that doesn't mean they should not practice this pitch with the hope that someday the ball will sink for them as it approaches the hitting zone. This two-seamer can be gripped with the two seams or across the two seams. As they learn to control it, they can move their thumb position up the side of the ball to get more movement. Young pitchers should experiment with the grip to find out which one they have the most feel for, either with the two seams or across the two.

​ 2 Seam Fastball - with or across 2 seams

The changeup

The third pitch to learn is the changeup. The concept of this pitch is that it is thrown with the same arm speed and motion as the fastball. The changed grip on the ball takes the velocity off the ball compared to the fastball grip. At least, that is the intent, but it takes a long time to develop that sameness.

Circle Changeup Grip

Circle Changeup Grip

The most common change-up grip is the circle change, which keeps the thumb and index finger on the side of the ball. That grip automatically takes speed off the ball allowing a pitcher to keep up their arm speed but with less velocity on the ball the result. This off-speed ball is the first changeup grip to have kids try.

Three Finger Change Up Grip

Another change up for youngsters would be a three-finger grip with the ball set deep in hand, which also takes speed off the ball. Young players should experiment with both these pitch grips until they can control one and feel comfortable throwing it in a game. The development of an efficient changeup will allow a young pitcher to stay away from some of the other specialty pitches that may create arm injury or soreness in young players. This grip for kids can be with or across the seams depending on their comfort level. Even young pitchers should work on a changeup and realize it is not only important for changing speeds on the hitter, but also to set up their fastball afterward.

The Curveball - Knee buckling Breaking Pitch

The debate over whether curveballs are harmful to the arms of young players has been ongoing for many years. While there is no clear answer to this question, most experts agree that, when thrown correctly, the risk of arm injury is not significantly increased. However, the problem with young players, especially those under 14 years old, is that their small hands make it difficult to keep their fingers on top of breaking balls. As a result, when children, parents, or coaches insist on young players throwing curveballs, they should be taught the correct way to do so, and the number of curveballs used in game situations should be limited.

It is crucial to ensure that young pitchers can keep their fingers on top of the breaking ball and avoid significant wrist action to minimize strain on their arms. Unfortunately, most youth pitchers tend to twist their wrists upon release, increasing the risk of injury. Therefore, coaches should closely monitor their players' wrist action when throwing curveballs and discourage its use until they can throw the curve with minimal wrist action.

In conclusion, while the debate over whether curveballs are harmful to young players' arms remains unresolved, it is important to teach young players the correct way to throw them to minimize the risk of injury. Coaches should limit the number of curveballs used in game situations and closely monitor players to ensure that they keep their fingers on top of the breaking ball and avoid significant wrist action. By taking these precautions, young pitchers can continue to develop their skills while reducing their risk of injury. Visit this page for more on how to throw a curveball.

Curveballl Grip

Following are the specialty pitches that high school baseball players and above pitchers can give a try.

The knuckle curveball

This pitch is thrown with a spiked grip with the index finger and with a curveball motion with the fingers upon release. When pitchers do not like the action of the regular curveball grip, they can give this a try, but with knowing it may be a hard pitch to perfect and control. It is very effective when thrown correctly because it tends to get a little more spin and speeds are slightly faster with this grip than a normal curve grip.

Middle Fingers Note:

This method helps kids understand the ball comes off the middle and ring finger, and the index finger is generally not very important to impart the correct spin on the ball.

The slider and cutter

Two types of pitches that youth should avoid. These two pitches are closely related. It takes strong hands and forearms to have the middle and index fingers cut through the side of the ball to get the late movement and baseball pitching grip that those pitches require. That late-moving action with the arm may tax the throwing elbow enough to create elbow injury, even for fully developed athletes. Youth pitchers are not ready for this pitch, but many have a natural cut to the ball when they throw so that may be useful for pitching but not for other position throws.

​ Split-finger fastball grip

The knuckleball

The good news about throwing this pitch is that great arm speed is not necessary and arm injury is less likely. The bad news is that it is almost impossible to control and get the dancing movement of the ball required to get hitters out. There have been very few pitchers in the history of major league baseball who threw the knuckleball as their primary pitch. Once again, this pitch grip is almost impossible to perfect, especially for small right handed pitcher players. See here for how to throw a knuckleball.

The Split-finger fastball 

Is one of those types of pitches that became popular for a time, but have become less so in recent years. Today's data seems to suggest that the split-finger fastball is an injury trap pitch because the grip puts too much pressure on the elbow. With that in mind, this pitch is the last resort one to try for fully developed players because of the risk injury. The plus side for those who do develop this pitch is that it is one of the most difficult to hit because the ball drops quickly at the last second when it gets into the strike zone or the hitting zone. That is why it is called a split-fingered fastball when it is another change-up. This is actually not that difficult of a pitch to throw because the ball tends to remain centered with this grip, but the increased stress placed on the arm to throw it makes it a dangerous one to learn. Check out how to throw a split-finger fastball here.

Spike or knuckle curve grip

Forkball and screwball

Baseball has evolved over the years, and so have the pitches that players use. While some pitches have stood the test of time, others have become outdated due to their detrimental effects on the arm. The forkball, for example, is a pitch that is similar to the split-finger but with a wider gap between the fingers. This creates an even greater stress on the elbow joint, making it a risky pitch for pitchers to use. The excessive stress that this pitch puts on the arm has led to many players suffering from injuries and even ending their careers prematurely.

Another outdated pitch that can cause significant harm to the arm is the screwball. This pitch requires the forearm and wrist to move outward upon release, which places additional pressure on the shoulder joint. This increased pressure on the shoulder can cause significant damage to the rotator cuff, labrum, or other parts of the shoulder. Pitchers who use this pitch risk sustaining long-term injuries that can not only impact their career but also their quality of life beyond baseball.

Given the significant injury risk associated with these two pitches, coaches and players need to avoid using them altogether. It is essential that young players are not taught these pitches, and coaches should discourage them from trying to imitate these pitches. While some professional players may have used these pitches in the past, it is crucial to prioritize player safety and avoid using outdated pitching techniques that put unnecessary strain on the arm.

Conclusion

In conclusion, young baseball players need to learn the basics of pitching, including the correct throwing mechanics and balance, before moving on to different pitches. Pitchers should only attempt pitches that they are physically ready for, and it is crucial to consider factors such as age, physical strength, and throwing mechanics before attempting any pitch beyond the primary pitch, the fastball. It's recommended to stick to throwing four and two-seam fastballs and a simple changeup until young players develop the correct throwing mechanics and achieve greater physical strength. Speciality pitches such as the cutter, split-finger fastball, and slider should be avoided until high school ages, as they put extra stress on the pitcher's arm.

Seeking out a trained baseball pitching coach is essential for young pitchers to develop sound throwing mechanics. Pitchers can experiment with grip, arm angle, and release point to develop a pitching style that works for them, allowing them to become skilled and successful pitchers. Once throwing mechanics are established, players can work on developing balance, timing, and the best arm angle for their throwing delivery. Players can expand their pitching repertoire as they grow and develop, but the first concern for young ballplayers should always be perfecting the throwing fundamentals.

In summary, young baseball players should take the time to learn the basic pitches, throwing mechanics, and develop a strong foundation before trying any other pitches. They should avoid trying to throw pitches they are not physically ready for, and they should consult with a professional pitching coach before deciding to throw any specialty pitches. With dedication, patience, and practice, young players can develop a strong pitching game and become successful on the field.

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About Jack Perconte

After playing major league baseball, Jack Perconte has taught baseball and softball since 1988 and offered valuable coaching training too. He has helped numerous youth players reach their potential, as well as having helped parents and coaches navigate their way through the challenging world of youth sports. Jack is one of the leading authorities in the areas of youth baseball training and coaching training advice.

All Jack Perconte articles are used with copyright permission.

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