pitches

Pitches refer to several distinct concepts that share a single term. In music and acoustics, pitch denotes the perceived frequency of a sound, determining whether it sounds high or low. In sports, a pitch is the act of delivering a ball toward a target, especially in baseball and cricket. In business and media, a pitch is a concise proposal intended to persuade an audience. In construction, pitch describes the slope of a surface. In materials science, pitch refers to a viscous resin derived from pine.

In music, pitch corresponds to a sound’s frequency, typically measured in hertz. Tuning standards set A4 to 440 Hz in many contexts, though variations exist. Notes are arranged into octaves, with each octave doubling the frequency. Pitch interacts with timbre and dynamics and can be described as absolute or relative.

In baseball, a pitcher throws pitches using different grips and speeds; common types include fastballs, curveballs, sliders, and changeups. Pitch selection combines velocity, movement, and control to exploit batters’ weaknesses. In cricket, the term describes the delivery of the ball by a bowler, with variations in pace and spin.

In business and media, a pitch is a short, persuasive presentation. An elevator pitch aims to convey an idea quickly, while a pitch deck or investor pitch expands on problem, solution, market, business model, traction, and funding ask. Effective pitches are clear, tailored to the audience, and end with a specific call to action.

Roof pitch is the slope of a roof, given as angle or percent grade. Pine pitch is a sticky resin used historically for waterproofing and adhesives.