An offspeed pitch is a type of pitch that is thrown with a slower speed than the pitcher’s fastball. Offspeed pitches are used to disrupt a batter’s timing, and can include breaking balls such as curve balls and sliders, as well as changeups or any pitch that does not travel at the same speed as a pitcher’s fastball.

Offspeed pitches are typically used when the batter has two strikes on him or her, because they are more likely to result in a strikeout. A pitcher can also throw an offspeed pitch when it would be difficult for them to throw their fastball, such as when they have runners on base and they don’t want to give away their location.

A curveball is one of the most common offspeed pitches thrown in baseball today. It is thrown with less velocity than a fastball by releasing it earlier in its trajectory so that it curves away from home plate before reaching it. A curveball can be thrown with either two fingers (traditional) or one finger (drop).

A slider is another common type of offspeed pitch in baseball today. Like a curveball, it is thrown with less velocity than a fastball by releasing it earlier in its trajectory so that it breaks towards home plate.

Last modified: August 2, 2022