To successfully deliver a pitch, you must be able to deliver the baseball to a specific position inside the batter’s box. To successfully deliver a good pitch, the ball’s speed and movement should make it nearly impossible to hit. A baseball’s speed depends heavily on the pitcher’s grip, position and body movement as he delivers the ball.
Grip
The pitcher’s grip on the baseball plays a huge role in determining the velocity of the ball as it moves toward the batter. The fastball is a classic pitching grip that focuses on pure speed, making it the fastest pitch you can throw. The two types of fastballs used are the four-seam fastball and two-seam fastball. The four-seam fastball is a relatively simple grip that allows for very little lateral movement. The two-seam fastball requires a tighter and deeper grip. Although it travels slightly slower than a four-seam ball, it changes direction as it moves, making it a tricky pitch to hit. According to The Complete Pitcher website, the slider is the third fastest pitch in baseball. Although it requires a grip similar to a two-seam fastball, you hold the ball slightly off center to give it a good spin.
Torque
Along with this grip, the pitcher’s body positioning also plays a tremendous role in determining the baseball’s speed. Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Steven Ellis explains on his website that most of a baseball’s speed is generated by the rotational movement of the pitcher’s body. Occasionally referred to as torque, this rotational movement refers to the rotation of the hip and shoulders during the pitch. According to the website, almost 80 percent of the ball’s velocity depends on torque.
Leg Lift
Along with torque, the pitcher’s leg lift also plays a part in adding speed to his pitch. As the pitcher sets up to pitch, his front foot turns parallel to the rubber during his windup. Once this front foot pivots, he lifts the leg and pulls his knee toward the chest. Rather than pausing at the top of the leg lift, the pitcher should continue through to the pitch. Pausing at the top of the leg lift stops the body’s momentum, which ultimately results in a slower pitch. However, allowing one fluid movement from the leg lift to the pitch allows for a high amount of linear momentum and a much faster pitch.
Fun Fact
In September 2010, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch ever recorded. During the eighth inning of a Friday night game against the San Diego Padres, left-handed Chapman delivered a pitch that registered 105.1 miles per hour on the scoreboard radar gun. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know whether this is the fastest pitch in baseball history; new technology has only recently allowed for consistent speed tracking of baseball pitches. Many of history’s greatest pitchers – Smoky Joe Wood, Walter Johnson, Bob Feller and Nolan Ryan – quite possibly could have broken Champan’s record.
References
- Pitching.com: Baseball Pitching Grips - Learn how to throw a Curveball, Slider, and Changeup
- The Complete Pitcher; Pitching Grips - How To Grip And Throw Different Baseball Pitches; Steven Ellis
- StevenEllis.com: Pitching Velocity
- The Complete Pitcher; Pitching Velocity; Jerry Kreber
- Baseball Almanac: The Fastest Pitcher in Baseball History
- Fox Sports; Chapman's Pitch Fastest Ever? Maybe.; Jon Paul Morosi; September 2010
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