Technically speaking, they're all fastballs...................with movement. Yes we can control the desired movement by axis, seam spin, seam grip, finger pressure, finger slide, inside/outside clench, wrist slot...........but because of their velocity...........its basically a running, dropping, cutting, rising, sinking fastball.
So how do we classify a certain pitch? Is it location? Not really, because I could throw just about any type pitch to the same spot. Is it the grip? Not really, because there is more to getting it to perform than finger prints. Is it spin? Not really, some can't produce the revolutions needed. So that really only leaves two things, speed and movement. And if these "movements" are within a few MPH of your top speed..............they are variations of your fastball.
Ok, I'm running and ducking for cover.
So how do we classify a certain pitch? Is it location? Not really, because I could throw just about any type pitch to the same spot. Is it the grip? Not really, because there is more to getting it to perform than finger prints. Is it spin? Not really, some can't produce the revolutions needed. So that really only leaves two things, speed and movement. And if these "movements" are within a few MPH of your top speed..............they are variations of your fastball.
Ok, I'm running and ducking for cover.