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Step 1
Note that the ball comes straight out of the pitcher's hand. It is not relevant where the pitch is being thrown but that it is moving quickly.
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Step 2
Determine that a four-seam fastball has very little to no movement and is the straightest pitch.
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Step 3
Distinguish the two-seam fastball as it moves down and sometimes into a right handed hitter. This pitch is also known as a sinker.
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Step 4
Mix the fastball and slider together to get a cutter. This pitch breaks away from right handers when it reaches the plate. It has more speed than a typical slider but it moves more than a straight fastball.
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Step 1
Note how the ball does not come straight out of the pitcher's hand. Instead, it moves upwards. The single most determining characteristic of a breakingball is that it has less speed than a fastball and shifts direction as it approaches the plate.
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Step 2
Compare the curveball's movement to a clock. The pitch moves from 12 - 6, top to bottom. A slurve is similar to a curve however it has more side to side movement.
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Step 3
Determine that a slider moves down and away from a righthanded hitter. This pitch is a combination of a fastball and curve.
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Step 4
Compare the screwball's movement to a clock. The motion goes from 1 - 7 at about 70 MPH.
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Step 1
Take at least 10 MPH off a fastball for the changeup. The tricky part about the changeup is that the arm speed of the pitcher remains the same.
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Step 2
Compare the circle changeup to a clock with movement going from 1 - 7. It is similar to a screwball.
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Step 3
Determine how the pitch is being thrown. If the ball is being cupped or gripped in the palm, it is called a palmball.
