What Is A Pitching Out In Baseball (Learn From Coach)

Baseball can be intimidating, especially if you have not been introduced to the game before. One of the first things you will hear while watching baseball is pitches. So what are different pitches in baseball, and what is a pitching out in baseball? 

These are the first questions to arise if you are fascinated by baseball and want to enjoy the game. Understanding the rules of the game is the first step to take. As an ex-baseball player and a current coach, I can understand how difficult the game may seem for newcomers. 

Just like any other skill, taking one step at a time is the drill to understanding baseball. In this blog, we will discuss baseball pitches and pitching out in baseball so that you can enjoy watching baseball games next summer with your friends at Yankee Stadium.

What is a Pitching Out in Baseball?

It is said that there are thirty different types of outs in baseball. However, all these outs can be put in various categories. With so many outs in line, what is pitching out in baseball?

A pitchout occurs when a ball is intentionally thrown outside the strike zone. The balls can be thrown higher than expected, and they are difficult for the batter to hit and run. 

A perfectly executed pitchout not only obstructs hitting it but also makes it easier for the catcher to catch the ball and throw it to a base in order to prevent a stolen base.

When the pitch is thrown outside the strike zone and caught, the catcher gets a chance to aim for the base without any interruption from the batter or pitcher. 

In pitch out, the catcher can mainly catch the ball in a standing position. This means they can throw the ball at the base with more force than in a squat position. 

Moreover,  the ball is so far away from the batter that it gives the catcher plenty of space to execute a perfect throw to stop the base from being stolen. 

How to Pitch Out in Baseball?

In pitch out, the catcher catches the ball before it reaches the player on first base. Only a pitcher with excellent pitching technique and timing can execute a perfect pitch out. 

The pitcher throws the ball at an angle where the catcher can catch the ball easily and can throw it at second base without getting obstructed by any other players on the field. The ball reaches the base before the base runner steals the base. Hence they get thrown out. 

Types of Out in Baseball

Now that we have discussed pitching out, do you want to know what other types of outs are there in baseball? Continue reading to get in-depth knowledge.  

An out happens when the runner/batter is ruled out from the field by the umpire. When a player is out, they lose the ability to continue playing and return to the dugout to join their team. Once that happens, the next player arrives to continue with the rest of the innings. 

Want to know how many innings are played in a baseball game? Here is an article to help-

How Many Innings Are There In A Baseball Game

The categories of outs that we are talking about have variations, and these are-

Fly out

A fly out happens when the batter hits the ball in the air and the catcher catches it before it hits the ground. 

Foul out

When the hitter hits the ball in foul territory and the fielder catches it while the ball is still in the air, it is called a foul out. 

Tag out

When the ball is hit and the batter intends to run to first base, a fielder can tag him out. A tag out occurs when the second baseman picks the ball and touches him with the ball.

Tag out can also happen when the defensive player touches the batter with the same love that is holding the ball. The defense player can also chuck the ball toward the batter and it would still be considered a tag out. 

Force out

Force out happens when the batter hits a ground ball. Here, the infielder catches the ball and throws the ball to first base before the base runner can reach it. 

Strike out

When the batter gets three strikes during their time at bat it is called a strike out. When the ball is pitched in the strike zone and the hitter does not swing, it is considered a strike. However, it will not be considered a strike out if it is the third strike at bat. 

Other than these outs, there are other outs in baseball like ground out, line out baseball, etc. 

How many types of Pitches are there in Baseball?

We have already discussed what outs are and how many different outs there are in baseball. Now let’s come to the question, what are pitches and how to throw the pitches in baseball? To better understand pitching out in baseball, we have to understand different pitches in baseball. 

The primary purpose of pitches is to confuse the batter and make it as difficult as possible for them to make a hit.

Did you know there can be as many as 110 pitches in any one-day game?

Fastball

Fastball pitch is commonly seen in baseball matches. As the name suggests, the pitch is, well, quite fast. Because of its speed, the pitch is exceptionally challenging to hit by the batter. 

Figure 2- Randall David Johnson

Four-seam Fastball 

One of the most challenging pitches to hit, the four-seam fastball can travel as fast as 100mph. The four-seam fastball has some other names, cross-seam fastball, rising fastball, and four-seamer. 

Other than the four-seam fastball, other variations of fastball are a cutter, sinker, split-finger fastball, and two-seam fastball. 

Get to know more about Cutter’s pitch in this article-

What is a Cutter Pitch in Baseball?

Curveball

Curveball is perhaps the most notorious pitch among all the pitches. It has the maximum movement, making it even tough for the batters to judge the ball. 

With so little time to measure the velocity and decide whether to hit, the batters face a tough challenge playing this pitch. In a curveball, the ball is thrown at a slower pace which catches the batters off-guard.

Slider (Pitch)

Slider pitch movement has essence from both fastball and curveball, yet it is none of them. It is often confused with a curveball for its spinning mechanisms, and some batters think it is a fastball because of how hard the pitcher throws it. 

Learn the main differences between curveball vs slider in this article. 

What Is The Difference Between A Slider And A Curveball?

Knuckleball

One of the rarest pitches of all time is the knuckleball. To make my young players understand the pitch, I sometimes call it ‘the dancing ball.’ It is a challenging pitch not only for the hitter but the pitcher, and even the umpire has difficulty addressing it.

I hope you don’t think these are the only pitches in baseball. There are many others like Gyroball, Shuuto, Cutter, Eephus, Screwball, Sinker, Forkball, etc. Some pitches are even illegal to throw as of 2022. 

Most common MLB Pitches

Some of the most common MLB pitches in baseball are the fastball and all the pitches in the fastball family. These are four-seam fastballs and two-seam fastballs.

Some other popular pitches are Curveball, Slider, Changeup, Cutter, Splitter, and Screwball. However, these are not only it. Pitchers throw a variety of other pitches as well. But these are some honorary mentions of pitches as starters in any baseball match. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a Force Out in Baseball?

A: A force out happens when a base runner is required to go to a certain base, and the defensive team touches that base while holding the ball before the runner can get to the base. 

Q. What is Slider Pitch? 

A: The slider pitch is slower than a fastball, and it is thrown at the batter’s hitting zone. Get more on sliders in this article- How to throw a Slider.

Q. What is a Curveball Pitch? 

A:  The curveball pitch is thrown in a way it spins and dives before approaching the batter’s plate. There are different kinds of curveballs, such as power curveballs and 12-6 curveballs, among others. 

Q. What do you call a Pitch that is too high in softball?

A:  A brushback pitch is thrown high, but it is aimed inside the strike zone. 

Final Word

We hope our small effort of explaining what is a pitching out in baseball will help you dive into the sport. Baseball is a classic American sport played by people regardless of age and gender. 

Understanding the pitches will help you get a better idea about the sport, and you will be able to enjoy the game to the fullest. Although it can look a little tricky initially, but after you get the basics, there is no looking back. 

Check out our other articles- 

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