Softball pitches

Every softball pitch, explained.

What each pitch does, how it spins and how a hitter can read it. The numbers come from the AXIS43 flight model.

Fastball

The straight power pitch everything else is measured against.

Backspin that fights gravity and finishes above the bat.

Topspin that adds to gravity for a late, steep finish at the knees.

Side spin that sweeps to the glove side, away from a right-handed hitter.

Arm-side run that bores in on a right-handed hitter's hands.

Same arm, far less speed: the pitch that wins on timing.

A diagonal break: down and to the glove side.

A diagonal break: up and to the glove side.

Almost no spin, so the seams and the air decide.

The high, lofted pitch of slowpitch softball.