Different types of pitches

[AlecLeamas]

For a beginner to both baseball and baseball gaming like me - is there a writeup/video/anything else somewhere that explains the different types of picthes out there?

I've been reading on Wikipedia and have a decent understanding of the fastballs, changeups, etc, but it would be really useful seeing the trajectory of the different pitches visually.

Also - is there a list of the abbreviations used in the game (CIR, 12CV?, etc, etc).

Thanks in advance.

[nomo17k]

Re: Different types of pitches

I don't have access to PS3 right now so cannot give you the exact menus, but there is an online documentation available from the main menu in which all the pitches and the trajectories (not really trajectories but how they move relative to the strike zone, etc.) are described.

I cannot locate it on Vita, but I know there is one... at least there was in MLB11 and 10. I don't think they'd remove something like that.

[seanjeezy]

Re: Different types of pitches

I don't have access to PS3 right now so cannot give you the exact menus, but there is an online documentation available from the main menu in which all the pitches and the trajectories (not really trajectories but how they move relative to the strike zone, etc.) are described.

I cannot locate it on Vita, but I know there is one... at least there was in MLB11 and 10. I don't think they'd remove something like that.

They got rid of it unfortunately, but if you go to the start menu during a game I believe each pitch has a small blurb in the hints and tips (?) section. I think its because movement trajectory is heavily influenced by arm angle this year, at least more than it was last year and in years past...

[nomo17k]

Re: Different types of pitches

They got rid of it unfortunately, but if you go to the start menu during a game I believe each pitch has a small blurb in the hints and tips (?) section. I think its because movement trajectory is heavily influenced by arm angle this year, at least more than it was last year and in years past...

Man, that's too bad. I guess that's something you can pick up from playing the game actually, but nonetheless that was useful just as a guide.

[IK720]

Re: Different types of pitches

For a beginner to both baseball and baseball gaming like me - is there a writeup/video/anything else somewhere that explains the different types of picthes out there?

I've been reading on Wikipedia and have a decent understanding of the fastballs, changeups, etc, but it would be really useful seeing the trajectory of the different pitches visually.

Also - is there a list of the abbreviations used in the game (CIR, 12CV?, etc, etc).

Thanks in advance.

It is unfortunate that they removed the guide nomo was referring to. However I can at least give you what the abbreviations stand for.

4SFB - 4 seam fastball.. Straight shooter
2SFB - 2 seam fastball.. Generally breaks down and either left/right (slight) depending on pitchers throwing arm.
RFB - Running fastball.. breaks slightly side to side (opposite of cutter)
CUT - Cut Fastball.. fastball that breaks side to side as well (slightly)
CH - Change up .. breaks down slightly, but more or less is a reduction of speed off the fastball.
CIR - Circle Change .. A change up that breaks side to side a little with its normal downward break.
VCH - Vulcan Change .. rare pitch in the game that only a select handful of guys have I believe. Just another version of the change up with some break to it.
SL - Slider - Breaks either left or right (based on pitcher's throwing arm) and slightly down.
CB - Curve ball .. Breaks down and left/right significantly usually. Generally breaks about the same distance down as it does side to side.
12CV - 12 to 6 curve ball .. breaks more or less straight down without too much side to side motion
SCV - Sweeping Curve ball .. another version of the curve ball that breaks side to side as well "sweeps across the zone"
KNCV - Knuckle curve .. Curve ball that breaks mostly down. may flutter with a bit of other movement (I think?) and is generally slower fairly slow in speed
SLV - Slurve .. A mixture of a slider and curveball. Breaks down as well as side to side
SNK - Sinker .. sinks.. sometimes side to side movement slightly
PLM - Palm Ball .. breaks down
KN - Knuckle ball .. flutters around the strike zone.. can generally break in just about any direction (except up.. although I think it happens on occasion in the game). Slow. The ball has very little rotation on it when thrown which causes the funky and unpredictable break.


A few other pitchers that I am unsure of the abbreviations for are Screwball (breaks in the opposite direction of a curve I believe), Split finger fastball (fast ball that breaks down significantly), Forkball (also breaks down).
I think that is all of them. I may have missed one though.

[AlecLeamas]

Re: Different types of pitches

IK720... thanks a million for that. Very appreciated.

[IK720]

Re: Different types of pitches

No problem.. Glad I could help.

[Bunselpower32]

Re: Different types of pitches

KNCV - Knuckle curve .. Curve ball that breaks mostly down. may flutter with a bit of other movement (I think?) and is generally slower fairly slow in speed.

I actually throw one of these, and they got it right in the game. a curveball is thrown with two fingers, and has more break, but it also has that "hump" that if you pick up on it, makes it easier to spot.

The Knuckle curve is thrown the same with the index finger bent so the knuckle is touching the seam (yes, yes, known by some as a spike curve. I think this is the real knuckle curve, we don't need a Burt Hooten discussion here).

The main difference is the way they are thrown. The curve has more break because it gets its rotation from a "pulling" of the arm, much like a slider, therefore it looks different out of the hand than a fastball and is harder on the arm, because the arm angle must be changed to prevent a slider or slurve. The knuckle curve is harder to control, but it is thrown not by pulling but by a flick of the wrist, making it look like a fastball out of the hand, also, it is much easier on the arm. A little long, but a distinction that can explain why the pitch is so freaking hard to hit if you don't know its coming.