How to identify breaking pitches as a spectator.

If you are watching a game, it helps to know how to identify a rise, a drop and a fastball.

Here is a helpful way to "see the pitches".

First, focus on the flight path of the ball from the pitcher to the plate as seen from 3B.

The flight path of a fastball is a uniform curve. It has an initial trajectory up and ends slightly down from the initial release.

The flight path of a drop ball has an "inflection point". There is a point where the ball seems to suddenly start moving down.

The flight of a riseball is parallel as the pitch crosses the plate. (This is assuming the pitcher is throwing less than 70 MPH.)

If you want to practice identifying drops and fastball pitches, watch this video. She mainly throws drops, off-speed drops and fastballs.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w2f8RtCJDhw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Are all three of these pitches generally thrown with the same velocity? My instinct tells me the drop is probably a little bit slower (not as slow as a change-up).

I'd suggest considering a seat as close to a vertical line connecting the dots between the pitching rubber and home plate. So, directly behind home plate, or from center field. Behind home plate is probably the ideal spot to ID seam orientation and rotation. If you're really astute, you may even hear the strings biting through the air.

Chris

When Jake was at SC I tried to sit in first or second row directly behind the LH batters box. As far as recognizing the break, just listen to the announcers on ESPN they will tell you everything you need to know about the game.

Chris Delorit said:

hear the strings biting through the air.

Chris

Click to expand...

What are the strings? Do you mean the seams?

What sound do you hear?

Some...Arlo Guthrie Bob!

At a certain speed/RPS there becomes a better chance for you to hear the ball "whiss" a bit...or just the seams biting through resistance airflow.

At James' last clinic, I asked Sarah Pauly throw a couple of her pitches (drops) so the kids could hear it as validation of her seam rotation actually working against resistance.

Next time your at the park, pay attention. You may just hear ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1rMeYnOmM

riseball said:

When Jake was at SC I tried to sit in first or second row directly behind the LH batters box. As far as recognizing the break, just listen to the announcers on ESPN they will tell you everything you need to know about the game.

Click to expand...

That's some comedy right there ^^^