The Four Basic Pitching Deliveries

A pitcher's delivery can generally be classified into four basic types.

Each of these four types has its own characteristics, with different advantages and disadvantages.

Pitching Delivery and Breaking Balls

The pitching deliveries listed above are primarily distinguished by the angle of the arm relative to the ground (note that this is not relative to the shoulder line).
When the arm angle changes, the angle of the wrist at release also changes accordingly.
As a result, the ease of generating spin on the ball varies as well.
In other words, depending on the delivery, there are breaking balls that are easier to throw and others that are more difficult to execute.

Physical Stress Based on Pitching Delivery

In pitching, areas such as the shoulder and elbow are subject to significant stress, and the location and nature of that stress can vary depending on the delivery.
For example, with sidearm and submarine deliveries, it is generally harder to swing the arm as powerfully as with an overhand delivery, which can reduce stress on the elbow. However, because the arm moves farther away from the body's vertical axis, there is a tendency for increased strain on the lower back and lower body, which must support the motion.
That said, these are only general tendencies based on delivery type alone, and using proper pitching mechanics is ultimately the most important factor in preventing injuries.

There Are Infinite Variations of Pitching Deliveries

While pitching deliveries are broadly categorized into four types based on arm angle, this is only a convenient classification.
In reality, pitchers release the ball from a wide variety of arm angles.
Even a one-degree difference in angle can change the trajectory of the pitch, and it would not be an exaggeration to consider it a different delivery.

Find the Ideal Delivery That Suits You

Every player has a different body type.
Strength and flexibility will also change over the course of a long baseball career.
Therefore, finding a pitching delivery that suits you is extremely important.
While it is important to develop consistency with one delivery, making small adjustments—or even major changes when necessary—can also be beneficial.
This page introduces the four basic pitching deliveries, but we encourage you to discover your own ideal delivery.

On this site, the term "pitching delivery" refers specifically to the classification based on arm angle, while the overall sequence of movements is defined as "pitching mechanics" and is explained on a separate page.