Horizontal and Vertical Movement (Break):
Horizontal and vertical break measures how much a ball has moved when it crosses the strike zone compared to where it started and what its position would have been without spin. Break is measured in inches and by type, with vertical movement measuring the up and down movement of the pitch, and horizontal movement measuring the left to right or right to left movement of the pitch.
Significance:
A vertically spinning ball can move across the zone aggressively, but a flat horizontal spin will cause the ball to move more suddenly. A curveball, for example, employs a horizontal spin. Therefore, learning to spin the ball properly is the most critical skill a pitcher must master.
Drop Ball:
Elite: -8 inches or more vertical break, 2 or less inches of horizontal break
College Average: -4.5 - (-7.5) inches vertical break, 2-4 inches horizontal break
Rise Ball:
Elite: 6+ vertical break, 2 or less inches of horizontal break
College Average: 4-6 inch vertical break, 2-4 inch horizontal break
Curveball:
Elite: 2 or less inches of vertical break, 6+ inch horizontal break
College Average: 2-4 inch vertical break, 3-5 inch horizontal break
Screwball:
Elite: 2 or less inches of vertical break, 2-4 inch horizontal break
College Average: 2 or more inches of vertical break, <2 horizontal break
Changeup:
Elite: +/-6 inch vertical break, 2-4 inch horizontal break
College Average: Dependent on fastball velocity
Fastball:
Elite: +/- 1-6 inch vertical break, 1-6 inch horizontal break
College Average: +/- 1-6 inch vertical break, 1-6 inch horizontal break
