The Grizzlies are up by one in the bottom of the seventh inning, two outs and Foothill’s top slugger is up to bat. Everyone feels the pressure, but no one as much as the pitcher.

Should she throw a fastball? Or maybe a curve? With so many choices, it’s necessary to know what these pitches can do and how to throw them.

Softball pitchers generally have three to five pitches in their arsenals. There’s the screwball, curve, rise, drop and, of course, the reliable straightforward fastball.

The most basic pitch to learn is the fastball. This pitch is generally gripped with the index and middle finger on two seams on top, with the thumb underneath. When in the underhand motion, the wrist snaps through the hip toward the batter. This pitch has generally no movement, except for maybe a slight downward arc.

Of course just because pitchers can throw it doesn’t mean she always will. Other pitches, such as the curve, can do just as well.

“The curve is held across four seams, and curves to either corner of the plate” said varsity catcher Christie Taylor.

To get the curve of the ball, it is necessary to throw across the body. Both the arm and hand must follow through to the opposite side of the body.

Another similar pitch is the screwball.

This pitch also hangs outside the middle of the plate but arches opposite a curve ball. This pitch starts at what seems outside then suddenly breaks in on a batter. The hand is positioned with the fingers across two seams, and the wrist snaps away from the hip, while the arm remains straight and the thumb ends up.

A rise ball is gripped across two seams, and the wrist snaps up, while the elbow stays straight. The legs resist against the momentum at the last moment before release, giving the ball that upward trajectory.

The drop, however, is gripped the same as a fastball, but the wrist ends up palm down, so the ball sinks to the ground.

With movement comes speed, which can throw a wrench in the batters swing as well.

“Generally in high school, pitchers can get from the high 50s to even 60s” said varsity coach Tom Jones.

With so many pitches to use, a pitcher is truly a fearsome opponent, and when they know how to throw them, strikes are soon to follow.