What is the difference between pitches? And why are there so many? | Quick Question (MLB Originals)

Can you tell the difference between a curveball and a slider? What about a fastball and a changeup? You might not realize it, but small discrepancies in finger placement are the difference between a 100 mile-per-hour fastball and a 65-mile-per-hour knuckleball. On this episode of Quick Question (pres. by Apartments.com), we dive in on the evolution of pitch types, from the genesis of the fastball, to the innovation of breaking pitches like the curveball, changeup and slider. And we also analyze everyone’s favorite pitch: The Knuckler. We also examine some of the best pitchers who varied their pitch types, like Red Sox legend Pedro Martínez and Mariners great/current Braves pitcher Félix Hernández.
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[@saitamaxi8098]

Watching catchers miss knuckleballs is hilarious

[@bcampbell4880]

reading their expressions in slow mo... whhhhhheeerrrrrrreee issss itttt goooooiinnnng?!

[@brownsustho4489]

I’m a catcher and a knuckleball isn’t that hard to catch.

[@andydeck2778]

Dingers all Day I’m sure a major league knuckle ball is much better than a 13u knuckleball

[@mccreadykearney9863]

It's so embarrassing when it happens to us

[@Arrow_bro]

@@brownsustho4489 I take it you play in the mlb

[@Maazin5]

Love this show as a new baseball fan This is the best explanation of the different pitch types I've seen. I never understood them until now

[@williamsanders2348]

I loved this video as someone that started watching mlb in 1990 at the age of 11. Didn't really learn anything new but I just enjoy baseball.

[@MLB]

Happy to help! Glad you liked it!

[@christopherlopez3301]

bobcollum __ was was

[@scratch577]

@@MLB wassup mlb

[@aldol5840]

"What is the difference between pitches?" idk ask the Astros they know

[@DragonKSM3]

not an astro but I think its a couple of bangs

[@revlo1557]

Lol good one

[@alexandregoncalves6066]

if nolan ryan wants to throw a fastball , nolan ryan throws a fastball and aint no sucka gonna stop him.

[@jaxon2025]

Lol

[@MrAndyhdz]

Aww where did those big bad astros hurt you?

[@txisbest2010]

Ah yes, the dark art of knuckball. Always two, there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice.

[@Ned-Ryerson]

The Sith of baseball, so to speak. If they had cookies, maybe there would be more.

[@Mr_Bob_A_Feet]

Is it possible to learn this throw? Not from a Jedi…

[@malachiomeletoe4320]

This whole comment and replies are top g😂😂😂

[@kevinsanchez4415]

Have you heard the tragedy of Tim Wakefield the Knuckler...

[@zuku4399]

“Knuckleball... Well we’ll come back to this”😂 that’s the exact same felling of a hitter

[@salgarcia9518]

Every homerun is a miracle

[@MLB]

Seriously!

[@zuku4399]

Fernando Tatis has entered the chat 😂😂

[@heyyou4688]

Chris davis has entered the chat

[@graysonshows9319]

The Astros 2017 has entered the chat. Wait...

[@yumyum2816]

@@graysonshows9319 lol

[@williambrun2952]

good job MLB, more like this please.

[@mbdg6810]

Agreed!!!

[@miguelsuarez5576]

Plpw2h2

[@miguelsuarez5576]

@@mbdg6810 tpt

[@rudypena2766]

@@mbdg6810 ev bsb eve cnv b.v e ev CNN vfb

[@jomaess]

L

[@DarkenRaul1]

Timestamps 1:08 - Fastballs 1:58 - Four-seam Fastball (OG straight fastball) 2:03 - Cutter (fastball that slightly drifts away from pitching arm) 2:03 - Two-seam Fastball (fastball that slightly drifts toward pitching arm) 2:11 - Sinker / Splitter (different grips for a fastball that slightly drops) Not Shown - Forkball (fastball with a sudden large drop just as it reaches the plate) 3:07 - Changeups (Slowballs) 4:06 - Basic Changeup 4:39 - Eephus (aka the "meatball" lobbing pitch) Not Shown - Palm Ball / Circle Changeup (alternate grips for changeups) Not Shown - Vulcan Changeup (changeup with a sudden drop as it reaches the plate) 5:02 - Breaking Balls 6:03 - Curveball (pitch that drops) 6:09 - Slider (pitch that drifts away from pitching arm) Not Shown - Screwball (pitch that drifts toward pitching arm) Not Shown - Slurve (combination of a curveball and a slider/screwball) 7:01 - Knuckleballs 7:01 - Basic Knuckleball Not Shown - Knuckle-curve (a knuckleball that drops) 6:29 - Illegal Pitches

[@larryrico4119]

Thx so much

[@michaelanderson4280]

the forkball is like a Kunkle ball and breaking ball with the speed of a fast ball its great

[@Histgyph]

I’d say the forkball is more of a breaking ball or even knuckle ball than a fastball

[@ATFprdepartment]

Doing god’s work

[@matrixphijr]

The Knuckle-Curve is not a Knuckleball. It’s poorly named and should really be referred to as a ‘Spike Curveball.’ It’s a Curveball that’s thrown more like a Fastball, so it comes out hard and breaks suddenly. Former pitcher Mike Mussina is the most famous thrower of the “Knuckle-Curve,” along with modern pitchers Justin Verlander (who was forced to abandon it early in his career) and Gerrit Cole. None of them are Knuckleballers.

[@austinwright1286]

Yes MLB you are starting to understand. This is the content that needs to be created. Please keep it up

[@andrewhall3715]

Finally I've been wanting a video explaining pitches like this for ages!

[@huckleberryharrison6248]

Fun fact: when pitchers started throwing off speed pitches hitters said they were cheating.

[@TJfromEarth]

yeah i watched the ken burns doco too

[@noob.168]

yeah, cuz it's an unwritten rule. /s

[@arottie4097]

@@TJfromEarth Hey, what is that documentary called? Thanx!

[@adriaanjacobs5073]

Baseball can be convoluted at best for new fans but videos like this goes a long way to explain the differences, well done.

[@joelsanchez2776]

It was always hard for me to understand baseball. So many nuances to it. It seems like more of an art than a sport in a lot of ways

[@BillionaireBruce1999]

This is why I love baseball. The endless probabilities of the pitches along with should you swing at it or not. Baseball is arguably the most unpredictable sport in my opinion. We need more videos like this.

[@andrewlarose3205]

Would love to see a further breakdown of each type, ie the differences between the many types of fastballs and changeups, and the grips and arm actions that make them different.

[@gunslingingbird74]

So would Mike Trout.

[@serviettedetable]

You should do a video like that at least once a week. That’s the kind of stuff you can share everywhere.

[@dzisman99]

Lots of knuckleballs in the breaking ball section, but I’m just glad it’s getting more exposure

[@saurabhjain4842]

I really liked this video. Nice presentation. Especially that Dustin May's new fastball. That guy throws so good

[@havenas1020yt]

It’s so crazy, i was just thinking about pitches after watching the Red Sox/Phillies highlights and a hour later this gem drops. Love the science behind the game as well, makes it so much more intriguing.

[@willi6880]

8:56 Best close up video of a knuckleball I've ever seen. That movement is INSANE

[@miguelrivera3687]

I'm a junior in highscool.Just yesterday I played a little baseball with my friends for the first time, I've never felt the love for a sport like I did with baseball yesterday this video is just the beginning to my baseball journey thank you MLB

[@mosheep]

As a new baseball fan, this is awesome! Learned new things and made me want to watch more of the sport. More of this, please.

[@maaro_02]

I only know baseball from Diamond no Ace and I always confused between the differences of the pitches Thank you for explaining it this is such a good video

[@William-B]

I’ve played and watched baseball for 30 years and I finally understand the difference between a breaking ball, curve ball, sinker, cutter, and a slider.

[@davesmith3289]

The difference is just the axis of rotation.

[@ibraheemrao8434]

8:25 These blue jay jerseys were LIT.

[@liarliar8917]

That was an awesome video! I would love to see more of these!!

[@martinsluke]

This is easily the best baseball video I have ever seen... so entertaining and informative. Well done team!!

[@Freewheeler55]

My dad taught me this a week ago, use the same windup with your change as heater, but use 3 fingers and a softer grip, as it will make the change slower

[@PM-pe5tg]

Lifelong baseball fan here; and I’m still trying to figure out pitches ⚾️

[@ericmbaron]

Great explanations. One thing I'd like to add is the effect of gyroscopic precession on the movement of the ball. This is often referred to as rigidity in space. Think of how a bicycle wheel or a spinning top work. If they are not moving, they fall over unpredictably (like a knuckleball). Putting spin on the ball not only has aerodynamic implications, but also gyroscopic stability and the ability to help steer it.

[@bilbobeuli]

is this MLB...trying some smart marketing after all these years? I'm proud you guys

[@williamsanders2348]

I love time Wakefield, so much. He's just such a sweet human, I'm so glad he became a knuckleballer.

[@megaconure]

Before watching and reading Ace of the Diamond, I didn't think there were so many cool ways to throw the ball :0

[@snorlax8963]

i just follow mlb on 2018 and i am become a fans of this sports after that till now.. and maaannn Change-Up its my favorite finishing pitch..

[@edisonvicari7476]

Lady soundin like the watch mojo lady

[@budahed54]

Her voice is exceedingly pleasant.

[@Sshooter444]

Annoying voice

[@qwertyki9367]

@@Sshooter444 no

[@carlos-ej3sv]

Or like the one from vox

[@xRestart]

This is the best explanation possible. The MLB is doing wonders with this show, a lot of history and elements of the game that I never knew or understood very much before are talked about here.

[@tenchi811]

Could you do a video about unwritten rules and rationale behind them? As a new baseball fan they often seem very confusing (e.x. don't swing in a 3-0 count). Love your breakdowns. Great job introducing the sport to new people!

[@tkillcoin]

The Boston Red Sox allowed Doug Mirabelli to leave and sign with the San Diego Padres in free agency after the 2005 season. He had been Tim Wakefield's person catcher. When Josh Bard (no disrespect) had trouble catching Wake's knuckler early on in 2006, the Red Sox not only made an early trade for a back-up catcher in Mirabelli, they got him a police escort from Logan Airport to Fenway Park, so that he could catch Wakefield that night. A legend was born.

[@betox7698]

That's what we want MLB! Congrats... Could you make more of this please! Btx 🇧🇷 🇧🇷

[@betox7698]

@caio silva Valeu... bom saber que tem mais amantes brasucas tb do ⚾!

[@ichagas]

@caio silva é mesmo

[@chou1767]

Saawamura's moving fastball is unpredictable because his grip is arbitrary

[@megaconure]

woooo ace of the diamond!!

[@sweetsmeanie9188]

I'm watching this bcoz of DnA, i have no idea about baseball 😂

[@d.c.3346]

let’s goooo daiya!!

[@Killerqueen2000]

Sawamura is the goat

[@rizze7112]

Watching this because of DnA as well. I'm already late in the series and I'm just realizing I wanted to see those pitches in real life.

[@TeamHuddle321]

Really enjoyed this video! Recently started getting into baseball and this video helped a lot with understanding pitchers

[@maiqtheliar3652]

My first SO was a Knuckleball!! I was so happy I was able to pitch that! I'll never forget the umpire shouting, "THREEEE"!

[@patrickrivers4375]

I'm a pitcher and I loved and learned so much from this video thank you

[@BlueRad90]

Perhaps the most confusing pitches in the MLB are Forkball and Splitter, as both pitches have similar grip and as the balls are thrown, they break downward near the plate. I believe the most distinct difference between both pitches are velocity, and how they break. Forkball is more of an off speed but it falls significantly near the plate, while Splitter has a fastball-like velocity and breaks late. As such, Splitter is more of a harder version of Forkball. P.S. Ohtani’s downward pitch is actually a Forkball NOT a Splitter

[@dukedematteo1995]

Splitters are not fastballs. It's more similar to a change up than anything else.

[@igedesuparjanayasa1721]

0:50 Type of Pitches 1:08 Fastball 1:58 4-seamer 2:02 Cutter & 2-seamer 2:12 Sinker & Splitter 3:08 Changeup 4:42 Eephus 5:03 Breaking Ball 6:06 Curveball & Slider 6:30 Illegal Pitches 7:02 Knuckleball 9:12 Recap 9:48 Churve

[@arloroan3168]

I'm not a sports fan but always wondered that question. You explained it excellently. Thank you for the video.

[@ballybunion9]

It took me weeks to find an explanation this clear. (It's like nobody really knows the differences. Or the people who do know the differences, don't want to tell anyone.) Well done! 👍

[@carlos_tbg8]

Great! Thank you! I wish the breaking ball pitches were explained in more detail: types of curves, screwball, slider, etc. Perhaps in an upcoming video...? 😁

[@davesmith3289]

The only thing that changes is the rotation of the ball. The direction it rotates and its axis of rotation. There isn't anything else.

[@donnymcjonny6531]

It'd be so cool if there were trails on TV like the ones at the beginning.

[@googelle7555]

I don't know why a video like this hasn't existed already, but I'm sure happy that MLB were the ones to bring it into the world. Thank you MLB! 🥰

[@tripleblue1]

Great video! I've been trying to learn about the different pitches. I'm a soccer fan who's just getting into baseball. In the soccer world, there is a popular channel called Tifo Football that make great short animated videos on tactics, history of the teams, players and managers. Maybe you guys could take inspiration from that and make content like that for baseball.

[@csonkaperdido]

This was great, even as an ex high school pitcher it was cool to hear from the players and see that old footage

[@damienlittlejohn287]

I love the game of baseball, this has to be the best explanation baseball pitches ever seen

[@Zerbey]

Learned how to throw a knuckleball from a friend (you have to be taught!), it'll never get me in the majors but it's fun watching people try to catch it. Hopefully someone else will start throwing it again soon.

[@Al3xS4ndru]

I'm brazilian and started like baseball for a year now, and wow, there are so many incridible things about it, it's a cool sport, i want to play it so much

[@alejandrouribe6680]

I just learned the rules of Baseball and all this content will keep me enthralled! Will be going to my first home game next week. Braves vs Bluejays! Let’s go braves

[@patdeen3960]

I can here simply to find the difference between a 2 seam and a 4 seam, and I learned so much more.

[@blablabla4121]

I'm watching Ace of Diamond and this video really help a lot to understand pitching in baseball..

[@rienn8559]

what is that?

[@blablabla4121]

@@rienn8559 it's an anime series about high school baseball.. centered around a pitcher who wants to be the ace of his school, but he doesn't have what it takes yet.. the story is good, the humor is good, and the baseball itself is good.. if you're watching anime, try Ace of Diamond.. it's quite long, but worth watching..

[@rienn8559]

@@blablabla4121 Sounds interesting:) I'll try watching. I'm a softball player

[@rienn8559]

@@blablabla4121 I found your comment funny. I'm a softball player and I don't understand the pitches as well 😭 I do get struck out by curve balls all the time though....

[@rienn8559]

@@blablabla4121 I never knew there was a baseball anime haha

[@webbgroup]

Best synopsis of pitch types I’ve seen.

[@vicepresidentmikepence889]

Good video, but with the exception of the knuckleball, they didn't really explain the cons of each pitch, just the pros

[@travisbickle126]

Great content. Enjoyed it immensely. Thank you.

[@immortal5383]

I always hear these announced, nice to finally understand what 2 seams are

[@morky3673]

Way to go MLB. These types of videos bring young fans like me in from the other side.of the globe.

[@TheEagleEnigma]

super helpful thank you!!

[@jackcrockford2325]

Quick Question is so well made and MLB has done a great job with this.

[@Omy2289]

We need more videos like this one!!! Great job!!!

[@Invisus944]

I like how when they were showing Darvish's arsenal at 9:32 five different types of pitches popped up 😂 Dude has like 11 different pitch types.

[@francismagnusson378]

started watching MLB because of Ohtani. I thought that pitching was a simple one-dimensional thing -- but hey, imagine if all pitches were fastball right in the middle of the strike zone, that would be deadass boring, right? Pitching is so beautiful, it's like an art. The pitcher uses deception and tactics to strikeout the batter. The batter also must be smart enough and predict how the ball will come so that he could hit it. I thought pitching required more thinking than batters, but it seems like it goes both ways. I forgot where I read this, but it's like two samurais having a duel. God, baseball is so cool

[@TheArtichokeGalore]

Great video! Been trying to get into baseball and this helped explain a lot

[@sandwic5560]

Thank you for this very good video MLB🙌 Pitcher's arsenal is always interesting

[@gabrielfaure9091]

I’ve been waiting for this for so long

[@gunslingingbird74]

For how long? For the afternoon of a faun?

[@gabrielfaure9091]

Gunslinging Bird I’ve never understood my contemporaries’ fascination with operas. Two is enough for me.

[@dedynugroho4960]

Thank you, it's good for new fans like to understand so many pitching methods 👍

[@vladimirwadegreene2482]

would be cool if you went over pitching release styles and types of batters too.. This was a great video

[@gunslingingbird74]

How about something on submariner pitchers? Tyler Rogers is the only one I know of.

[@yommish]

Hopefully videos like this will bring more fans

[@nilescooper4216]

This is the best baseball pitch tutorial video I’ve ever watched

[@fighterck6241]

This is a great video. Honestly this is the first video to show anyone who wants to learn about baseball.

[@miakg7571]

Fun Fact: Knuckle ball is also a variation of slower seam ball in cricket and the technique of gripping and throwing the knuckle ball is literally the same as it is in baseball just with the cricket bowling action. Knuckle ball is becoming less popular in baseball but more cricket bowlers(pitchers) have started to use it and it is becoming more popular in cricket.

[@brianbisesi4706]

Super helpful. Thank you!

[@eddouglas]

English bloke that only starting watching baseball last season - more like this would be sweet! Gonna watch this a few times no doubt

[@alanmjohnson]

Are you a cricket fan? Does cricket have anything like a knuckler?

[@jimmy_xi9342]

@@alanmjohnson yes we do have all these variations in cricket as well.. 1. Conventional swing(in and out) 2. Cutters(off and leg) 3. Back of the hand slower ball 4. Knuckle Ball 5. Unconventional swing or reverse swing But the difference is that in cricket we dont throw the ball...its illegal We bowl overarm and can bend our elbows only by 15° before straightening it...so it makes it harder 2 bowl quick We have 2 use our entire body momentum and run up 2 generate speed unlike baseball pitchers And the ball has 2 pitch once on the turf before it reaches the batter

[@isaiahleon6163]

Thank you so much!! I started watching baseball last year and this is the one thing that still confused me!

[@ques4estas]

I'm beginning to study baseball, as a total noob this game is very confusing, but I guess that's what appealed it to me. Great video.

[@thewateringwiz7118]

That was so informative ! Great video !

[@McCandlessMike45]

I love the commentary. She is talented

[@rogerioquijano8397]

you should be doing more videos like this, excellent content

[@F3PIZZA]

What will be the next pitching breakthrough? A pitcher training to throw overhand, sidearm, submarine, and have each of these pitches in his pocket?

[@siriusblack7714]

This was awesome thanks for the videooo!

[@JaxzanProditor]

I just knew the knuckleball info was going to come from Wakefield.

[@MarloSoBalJr]

Being an Orioles fan, I just hated when we faced Wakefield cos it was nothing but **whiff, whoosh** all evening long from those sexy knuckleballs

[@hountybunter]

Epic video gonna show this to my girl so she gets a better understanding of the sport i play ;)

[@WorldwideJamal]

Great for kids and all fans. More please. Thx MLB!

[@MANIIAKYTB]

These videos are awesome! ⚾️

[@stressdavis4517]

This was very educational. Thanks

[@jdh023]

I know fans of baseball think this is day one and they can't believe anybody watching doesn't know this...I feel that way about folks that know nothing of Motocross. What you grow up with I suppose. I'm digging baseball more and more and just now understanding some of the strategy which appeals to me the most.

[@Carson_Nelms]

I’m late but keep these videos coming MLB

[@kylodidit]

Please we need more of thiiis!!

[@cptsparklfingerz9210]

Many things you got wrong. Only 2 basic pitch types. Fastball and breaking. Offspeed is a subcategory of both. Fastballs include 4 seam, 2 seam, 3 seam, sinker, splitter, cutter, running, rising, and tailing. Offspeed fastballs include changeup, circle change, vulcanchange, forkball, palmball, spitball, scuff ball, and more. Breaking includes all of those plus curveballs like the sweeping, 12-6, screwball, slider, slurve, foshball, knuckle, knuckle curve, hard curve, eephus. Every pitch is different.

[@itslife1399]

that vice level of documentary. Keep it coming

[@exmachina41]

I'm a non-baseball fan so this is very informative. Thank you,.

[@victorcastillo-dx9vh]

Amazing video! Pitching throws

[@mannyamparo4472]

Great video truly enjoyed it

[@CrashCarson14]

Awesome I never knew what all the pitches were I was wondering. Learn a little everyday. They all look similar but I didn’t realize they were supposed to be more deceiving and look like a fastball