How to Pitchthe right way
Pitching is the one position where a single player controls the tempo of the whole game. It rewards repeatable mechanics, a small toolbox of pitches thrown with intent, and an arm that is cared for between outings. This module walks through grips, mechanics, in-game strategy, and arm care, in that order.
MLB/USA Baseball Pitch Smart guidance recommends pitchers avoid breaking balls (sliders and curveballs) until about age 13, because the arm's growth plates and ligaments are still developing. This module includes the slider grip for completeness and older players, but for most Majors pitchers the priority is the four-seam, two-seam, and changeup. Always check your local league's bylaws, which may set their own rules.
The Grips
Four pitches carry a Majors arm. The four-seam, two-seam, and changeup are the priority; the slider is here for completeness and older players. Tap a pitch to load it into the Grip Explorer.
Grip Explorer
Fastball- Expected Movement
- Velocity Difference
Velocity figures are general, approximate ranges relative to your own four-seam fastball, not fixed numbers. Actual differences vary by pitcher, age, and arm strength.
Mechanics
Work the delivery in order, windup to follow-through. Check each step as you groove it.
Strategy
Common questions pitchers ask. Tap a question to open the answer.
Arm Care
The outing that matters most is the next one. Protect the arm before and after.
The two rules to carry off this page: a pitcher may never pitch on three consecutive days, and daily pitch counts are capped by league age, not division. That means 75 pitches at league age 10 and 85 at league age 11–12, with required rest days that scale with the count. Stop throwing and seek evaluation for any arm pain rather than pitching through it.
Warm-up and long-toss progressions, post-outing recovery, the full pitch-count and rest table, the kinetic chain, and workload red flags all live in Arm Strengthening & Injury Prevention, the single source of truth for keeping the arm healthy.
Open Arm Strengthening & Injury Prevention →