They’re three different pitches: the fastball wins on speed, the curveball drops from top to bottom, and the slider cuts to the side quickly and late. Telling them apart is the key to understanding the pitcher-hitter duel.
The fastball
It’s the base pitch: pure velocity, today commonly between 93 and 100 mph. It doesn’t fool with movement but with speed — it reaches the hitter before he can react.
The curveball and slider
The curveball is slower and traces a sharp top-to-bottom arc; it looks like it’s heading one way and «falls off.» The slider is faster than the curve and breaks sideways at the last instant, drawing lots of swings and misses. The difference is in the speed and the direction of the break.
FAQ
Which is faster, the curve or the slider?
The slider: it’s quicker with a shorter, later break than the curve.
Which is harder to hit?
It depends on the pitcher, but a good slider generates a ton of strikeouts with its late cut.
