The Gospel of the Pitch
A believer’s guide to the sacred offerings from the mound
Four-Seam Fastball
Wiki →The most basic and commonly used pitch in baseball. It's known for its straight trajectory and high velocity.
Grip
Place your index and middle fingers across the seams, with your thumb underneath.
Movement
Straight, with minimal movement
Speed
85-100+ mph
“May my speed be swift, my aim be true.”
Curveball
Wiki →A breaking pitch with a sharp downward trajectory, deceiving hitters with its dramatic drop and spin.
Grip
Place your middle finger along the bottom seam, with your index finger next to it, and snap your wrist down upon release.
Movement
Sharp downward break
Speed
70-80 mph
“May my curve deceive, and batters grieve.”
Slurve
Wiki →A hybrid pitch combining the lateral break of a slider with the downward dive of a curveball, frustrating hitters with its unpredictable movement.
Grip
Hold the ball like a curveball, but release it with a slight sideways wrist snap.
Movement
Diagonal, sweeping break
Speed
75-85 mph
“Guide my slurve to dance and dip, elusive to the hitter's grip.”
Eephus
Wiki →A looping, comically slow pitch that arcs high above home plate, suspended between hope and absurdity—a prayer offered humbly to the gods of baseball, daring the hitter to swing too soon.
Grip
Grip the ball loosely, deep in the palm, as if gently releasing a bird.
Movement
High, slow, exaggerated arc
Speed
50-60 mph
“Lift my pitch high, slow, and wise; let folly cloud the hitter's eyes.”
Palmball
Wiki →An off-speed pitch held deep in the palm, fooling batters with its slow speed and subtle downward sink.
Grip
Nestle the ball deep in the palm with fingers spread around it, then push it gently forward on release.
Movement
Slow with mild downward sinking action
Speed
60-75 mph
“Bless this gentle ball of mine, sinking softly beyond the line.”
Gyro-ball
Wiki →A deceptive pitch mostly practiced in Japan, characterized by the pitcher’s arm moving away from the body during release, producing a spin that prevents the batter from clearly seeing the seams, making it difficult to anticipate the trajectory.
Grip
Hold similar to a fastball but rotate your wrist sharply outward upon release.
Movement
Minimal horizontal break, subtle late movement
Speed
80-90 mph
“Veil this spin and hide its path; spare my pitch the batter's wrath.”
Vulcan Changeup
Wiki →An off-speed pitch known for its deceptive speed reduction and downward movement, using a unique split-fingered grip.
Grip
Place the baseball deep between the middle and ring fingers, with other fingers loosely around the ball.
Movement
Downward, late sinking action
Speed
75-85 mph
“Slow my pitch, let timing slip; confusion mark the hitter's trip.”