No One Cares How Hard You Throw Ball Four

In baseball, velocity gets the headlines. Everyone loves to see a radar gun light up. But here’s the truth: no one cares how hard you throw if it’s ball four.

Pitching vs. Throwing

There’s a big difference between throwing and pitching.

• Throwing is about raw power - trying to beat hitters with speed alone.
• Pitching is about strategy - disrupting timing, locating pitches, and keeping hitters guessing.

A pitcher with average velocity but great command will always be more effective than someone who just tries to throw hard without control.

The Real Job of a Pitcher

At its core, pitching is about upsetting timing.

• A well-placed changeup after a fastball.
• A curveball that starts in the zone and breaks late.
• A fastball in on the hands after a sequence away.

Speed might get attention, but sequencing and execution are what make hitters uncomfortable.

What Really Matters

• Movement – A ball that runs, cuts, or sinks is far tougher to barrel than a straight fastball.
• Location – Commanding both sides of the plate changes at-bats.
• Changing Speeds – Mixing pitches disrupts rhythm and keeps hitters off balance.

Velocity alone doesn’t win games. Pitching does.

The Lesson for Players

If you want to stand out, don’t just chase velocity. Learn how to pitch. Focus on strikes, location, and mixing pitches. Anyone can throw hard. Fewer can pitch.

Final Thoughts

Velocity might look good on a radar gun, but it doesn’t fool hitters by itself. Pitching is about upsetting timing through movement, location, and changing speeds.

Check out the new shirt we designed around this philosophy here.