Baseball plays

making two outs during the same play in baseball

thumb|upright=1.3|A diagram of a 12–6 curveball

making three outs during the same play in baseball

The fastball is the most common type of pitch thrown by pitchers in baseball and softball. Its distinctive feature is its high speed. "Power pitchers", such as former major leaguers Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, relied on the speed, often exceeding , and movement of their fastballs to prevent the ball from being hit. As an alternative to the fastball, pitchers can put more movement on slower thrown balls, or throw them towards the inside or outside of home plate where batters cannot easily reach it.

in baseball, when a runner is forced to vacate his base—and try to advance—because the batter became a runner

in baseball, a ball intentionally hit for a fly out, with the goal of advancing base runners

thumb|A typical rundown situation in baseball showing a [[baserunner for the Texas Rangers as he attempts to evade the Chicago Cubs defense.]] In baseball, a rundown, informally known as a pickle, the hotbox, or goose chase is a situation that occurs when the baserunner is stranded between two bases, also known as '''no-man's land''', and is in jeopardy of being tagged out. When the baserunner attempts to advance to the next base, he is cut off by the defensive player who has a live ball, and attempts to return to his previous base before being tagged out. As he is doing this, the defender thr

thumb|The grip used for a changeup A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball and fastpitch softball.

in baseball, an offensive maneuver consisting of a sacrifice bunt with a runner at third

In baseball, a pickoff is an act by a pitcher or catcher, throwing a live ball to a fielder so that the fielder can tag out a baserunner who is either leading off or about to begin stealing the next base. thumb|San Diego Padres pitcher [[Craig Stammen attempts to pickoff a baserunner]] A pickoff attempt occurs when this throw is made in an attempt to make such an out or, more commonly, to "keep the runner close" by making it clear that the pitcher is aware and concerned with the runner's actions. A catcher may also attempt to throw runners out who likewise "stray too far" from their bases afte

in baseball, a ball intentionally hit for an infield out, with the goal of advancing base runners

Baseball pitch

type of fastball in baseball

baseball strategy