The Most Difficult Pitch to Hit in Baseball, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the pitch you think is the most difficult!

Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:25

In the game of baseball, pitchers employ a variety of pitches to outsmart hitters, each with its unique challenge. Understanding which pitch poses the greatest difficulty to hit is not just a matter of curiosity, but it can also significantly enhance a player's preparation and strategy. By ranking these pitches according to their level of difficulty, players and coaches alike can gain insights into which ones they might need to practice against more often. This ranking system allows fans and players to contribute their opinions and experiences, creating a community-driven database that reflects the collective understanding of the sport. Your votes help refine the accuracy of the rankings, providing a clearer picture of the tactical aspects of baseball. Engage with the list, cast your votes, and see how your perspectives compare with others in the baseball community.

What Is the Most Difficult Pitch to Hit in Baseball?

1

107
votes
Knuckleball

The knuckleball is notoriously difficult to hit due to its unpredictable and erratic movement caused by the lack of spin. It can be incredibly difficult for batters to anticipate where the ball will go, making it a challenging pitch to hit consistently.
The knuckleball is a unique pitch in baseball characterized by its erratic and unpredictable movement. It is thrown with minimal spin, causing the ball to flutter, wobble, and change course in mid-air, making it extremely difficult for batters to track and connect with.

Grip: The ball is held using the fingertips, with the knuckles bent and pushed against the ball.

Minimal Spin: Instead of the typical backspin or topspin seen in most pitches, the knuckleball is thrown with minimal spin, resulting in its unique movement.

Unpredictable Path: Due to its lack of spin, the knuckleball can change direction suddenly, making it challenging for batters to anticipate its trajectory.

Speed: Knuckleballs are generally thrown at a slower velocity, typically in the range of 60-80 miles per hour.

Fluttering Movement: The lack of spin causes the ball to flutter and rotate randomly, creating an unpredictable motion.
2

42
votes
Splitter

The splitter is a pitch that appears to be a fastball but drops suddenly as it reaches the plate. This can cause batters to swing too early or misjudge the pitch, resulting in a swing and miss or weak contact.
The splitter is a type of pitch in baseball that combines the characteristics of both a fastball and a splitter. It is known for its sharp downward movement that makes it challenging for batters to make solid contact.

Grip: Split-fingered grip

Velocity: Usually thrown between 85-90 mph

Movement: Drops sharply as it approaches the plate

Drop: Ranges from 6-12 inches

Speed differential: Around 8-10 mph slower than a fastball
3

36
votes
Slider

The slider is a breaking pitch that moves away from the batter, making it difficult for them to make contact with the ball. It can be especially effective when thrown with a late break, making it tough for batters to adjust their swing.
The Slider is a type of pitch in baseball that combines the movement of a fastball with the speed of a curveball, making it difficult for batters to hit accurately. It is known for its sharp and late-breaking movement, typically breaking horizontally or diagonally away from the batter.

Movement: Late-breaking horizontal or diagonal movement

Speed: Usually thrown between 80-90 mph

Grip: Similar to a fastball grip but with index and middle finger on top of the ball

Spin: Clockwise spin for right-handed pitchers, counterclockwise for left-handed pitchers

Difficulty: Considered one of the hardest pitches to hit due to its movement
4

22
votes
Changeup

The changeup is a pitch that looks like a fastball but is thrown with less velocity, causing it to "float" towards the plate. Batters may be expecting a fastball and swing too early, resulting in a missed pitch or weak contact.
The changeup is a type of pitch in baseball that is known for its deceptive speed and movement. It is primarily used to disrupt the timing and expectations of opposing batters. The changeup is designed to mimic the velocity and arm action of a fastball, but with significantly reduced speed, typically ranging from 5 to 15 mph slower. This sudden deceleration can trick batters into swinging too early or misjudging the pitch altogether.

Grip: The most common grip for the changeup is the circle change grip. The pitcher forms a circle with their thumb and index finger against the ball.

Speed Differential: The changeup is typically thrown 5 to 15 mph slower than the pitcher's fastball, creating a significant speed differential that can confuse hitters.

Movement: The changeup often features some form of late downward movement, which can make it appear as if it is dropping off the table.

Effective Against: The changeup is particularly effective against aggressive hitters or those who struggle to adjust their timing.

Prevention of Bat Speed Generation: The changeup disrupts a batter's timing, preventing them from generating maximum bat speed and resulting in weak contact.
5

25
votes

Curveball

The curveball is a breaking pitch that drops sharply as it reaches the plate. Batters may have trouble tracking the ball's movement, resulting in a swing and miss or weak contact.
6

18
votes
Sinker

The sinker is a pitch that appears to be a fastball but drops suddenly as it reaches the plate. This can cause batters to swing too early or misjudge the pitch, resulting in a swing and miss or weak contact.
The sinker is a type of pitch in baseball known for its downward movement. It is primarily thrown by pitchers with the intention of inducing ground balls from batters. The sinker gets its name from its ability to 'sink' or drop suddenly as it approaches the hitting zone, making it difficult for batters to make solid contact.

Grip: Pitchers use a four-seam grip on the ball, applying pressure on the ball with their fingertips.

Arm Slot: The sinker is typically thrown with a lower arm slot or a three-quarter arm angle, allowing for better downward movement.

Movement: The sinker has a combination of horizontal and vertical movement, but its primary characteristic is the sinking action towards the plate.

Speed: Sinker velocities can vary depending on the pitcher, but they are generally thrown at moderate speeds, typically ranging from 85-95 mph.

Pitch Release: Pitchers release the sinker with a pronation motion, generating the desired downward movement.
7

23
votes
Cutter

The cutter is a pitch that breaks in on the hands of a same-handed batter, making it difficult for them to make solid contact with the ball. It can be especially effective when thrown with velocity, causing the ball to move quickly and unexpectedly.
The cutter is a type of pitch in baseball that combines the movement of a fastball with the late-breaking action of a slider. It is delivered with similar arm speed and motion as a fastball, but the grip and release create sharp and late movement towards the throwing hand side of the pitcher. The cutter is known for its ability to deceive batters by initially resembling a fastball before quickly veering away.

Grip: C-Cut grip with index and middle fingers off-center on the inside half of the baseball

Arm action: Similar to a fastball, without any obvious variation

Movement: Late, sharp break towards the throwing hand side

Velocity: Generally thrown between 85-95 mph

Spin: Backspin with slight sidespin
8

14
votes
Forkball

The forkball is a pitch that appears to be a fastball but drops suddenly as it reaches the plate. It can be difficult for batters to anticipate the pitch's movement, making it challenging to hit consistently.
The Forkball is a deceptive pitch in baseball that combines the features of a fastball and a split-fingered fastball. It is thrown by gripping the ball with the index and middle fingers spread wide apart on top of the ball, resembling a fork. This grip creates significant downward movement and late breaking action, making it extremely difficult for hitters to anticipate and make solid contact with the pitch.

Grip: Index and middle fingers wide apart on top of the ball

Movement: Significant downward movement and late breaking action

Speed: Similar velocity to a fastball

Spin rotation: On the axis perpendicular to the fingers

Release point: Similar to a fastball
9

15
votes
Screwball

The screwball is a pitch that moves away from a same-handed batter, making it difficult for them to make contact with the ball. It can be especially effective when thrown with a late break, making it tough for batters to adjust their swing.
The screwball is a pitch in baseball that breaks sharply in the opposite direction of a curveball or slider. It moves from the pitcher's throwing arm side to the opposite side (for right-handed pitchers, it breaks from right to left). The pitch is known for its deceptive movement, making it difficult for batters to track and make contact with.

Grip: The pitcher grips the ball with the index and middle fingers positioned on the inside seam, applying a pressure on the thumb side.

Arm angle: The arm angle is typically three-quarters or low-three-quarters, which helps generate the necessary spin and movement.

Spin: The ball is thrown with a pronation of the forearm, creating an underspin along with lateral movement.

Movement: The screwball moves sharply from the pitcher's arm side to the opposite side, breaking away from same-handed batters.

Velocity: The average velocity of a screwball ranges from 75 to 85 mph.
10

3
votes
Spitball

The spitball is an illegal pitch that involves applying saliva or other substances to the ball to alter its movement. While it is no longer allowed in professional baseball, it was once a popular pitch among pitchers due to its unpredictable movement.
The Spitball is a pitch in baseball where the ball is altered by applying saliva or some other foreign substance to one side of it, causing it to move unpredictably in flight. This can make it extremely difficult for the batter to track and hit accurately.

Movement: The Spitball can have a sudden and erratic movement, making it hard to predict its path.

Grip: To throw a Spitball, the pitcher has to hold the ball in a specific way, often using their fingertips to apply the saliva or substance.

Speed Variation: The Spitball can vary in speed, adding to its deception.

Friction: The altered surface of the ball creates more friction as it moves through the air.

Release: Pitchers often use a different release point for the Spitball, further confusing the batter.

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Ranking factors for difficult pitch

Velocity

The speed of the pitch can make it very difficult for the batter to react and make contact. Faster pitches require quicker reactions and better hand-eye coordination to hit effectively.
Movement

The amount of movement a pitch has, both horizontally and vertically, can make it harder for the batter to predict its location and hit it. Pitches that break sharply or have late movement are particularly challenging.
Deception

A pitcher's ability to disguise or hide the type of pitch being thrown can make it more difficult for the batter to identify and hit. This includes pitchers with similar arm angles and release points across different pitch types, as well as those who can change speeds effectively.
Location

The area within the strike zone where the pitch is thrown can affect its level of difficulty. Pitches on the corners of the strike zone or on the edges are harder to hit because they require greater precision from the batter. Additionally, pitches that change eye levels (high to low or vice versa) can be challenging.
Pitch sequencing and mixing

The way a pitcher mixes and sequences their pitches can make it tough for the batter to anticipate and time their swing. Good pitch sequencing can keep a batter off-balance and guessing, increasing the difficulty of hitting any particular pitch.
Spin rate

The rate at which the ball spins as it travels toward the plate can have an effect on the pitch's movement and how difficult it is for the batter to pick up visually. Higher spin rates can create more movement and make pitches tougher to hit.
Tunneling

The ability of a pitcher to throw different pitch types that travel on a similar path before breaking differently toward the end can make it harder for the batter to recognize and adjust to different pitches.
Release point consistency

If a pitcher can consistently release the ball from the same point regardless of the pitch type, it makes it more difficult for the batter to detect and predict the pitch type based on the pitcher's motion.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult pitch to hit in baseball. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or pitch is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

4909 views
209 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each pitch once every 24 hours. The rank of each pitch is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most difficult pitch to hit in baseball

Baseball is a game of strategy and skill, and one of the most challenging aspects of the sport is pitching. The pitcher's job is to throw the ball in a way that makes it difficult for the batter to hit, and there are many types of pitches that can achieve this. However, some pitches are more challenging to hit than others. In this article, we will explore the most difficult pitch to hit in baseball and what makes it so challenging for batters. From the knuckleball to the splitter, we will break down the mechanics of each pitch and explain why they are so tough to hit. Whether you're a die-hard baseball fan or just curious about the sport, this article is sure to provide valuable insights into the art of pitching.