Pitching Techniques: What is a fastball? Why is it the most common pitch in baseball?

Welcome to our Baseball Techniques and Positions series! In this collection of articles, we'll explore the many skills, positions, and strategies that make baseball such an exciting sport. Whether you're new to the game or looking to deepen your understanding, these articles will help you appreciate the finer points of America's pastime. Today, we're starting with the most fundamental pitch in baseball: the fastball.

What Is a Fastball?

A fastball is exactly what it sounds like—a pitch thrown with maximum speed. When a pitcher throws a fastball, their main goal is to throw the ball as hard as possible toward the catcher's glove. Most fastballs travel between 85-100 miles per hour at the professional level, though some exceptional pitchers can throw even faster!

Imagine standing at home plate as a baseball comes zooming toward you at 95 miles per hour. You'd have less than half a second to decide whether to swing! This is the challenge batters face when a pitcher delivers a good fastball.

Types of Fastballs

There isn't just one kind of fastball. Pitchers use several variations:

Four-Seam Fastball

This is the straightest and usually the fastest type. The pitcher grips the ball with their fingertips across the seams (the stitches on the baseball). This pitch moves very little and goes straight to the target.

Two-Seam Fastball

Also called a "sinker," this pitch is gripped with the fingers on the seams. It's slightly slower than a four-seamer but moves more, usually sinking and tailing away from the pitcher's throwing arm.

Cut Fastball

Often called a "cutter," this pitch looks like a regular fastball but makes a late, sharp break. When Mariano Rivera played for New York, he became famous for having one of the best cutters in baseball history. Many batters knew it was coming but still couldn't hit it!

Why Fastballs Are the Most Common Pitch

Speed Creates Problems for Hitters

The faster a pitch comes in, the less time a batter has to react. If a pitcher can throw hard, they immediately have an advantage. Think about a student taking a test: would you rather have an hour to finish or just 10 minutes? Batters feel the same pressure when facing a fast pitch.

Accuracy Is Easier

When young players first learn to pitch, they start with fastballs because they're easier to control. Imagine 10-year-old Tommy practicing in his backyard. He can usually throw a fastball where he wants it to go, but when he tries a curveball, it might end up in the neighbor's yard!

Foundation for Other Pitches

A good fastball makes other pitches more effective. If a batter knows Justin can throw a 95 mph fastball, they have to be ready for it. Then, when Justin throws a 80 mph changeup that looks like a fastball leaving his hand, the batter might swing too early.

Energy Efficiency

Throwing breaking pitches (like curveballs and sliders) puts more stress on a pitcher's arm than throwing fastballs. Many pitchers throw mostly fastballs to protect their arms and stay healthy throughout the season.

Real-World Examples

When Jacob deGrom pitched for New York, his fastball regularly reached 100 mph. Batters knew it was coming but still couldn't hit it because it was so fast and well-placed.

Aroldis Chapman became known for throwing the fastest recorded pitches in baseball, sometimes exceeding 105 mph. When he entered games as a relief pitcher, fans would watch the stadium radar gun to see how fast he could throw that day.

The fastball remains baseball's most important pitch—the foundation upon which pitching strategies are built. Whether you're watching professionals on TV or kids at the local park, you'll see fastballs more than any other pitch, proving that sometimes the simplest approach is still the best.