pitching

Pitching is a term with several related meanings. In sports, it denotes the act of throwing a ball toward a target, most notably in baseball and softball. In business and entrepreneurship, a pitch is a concise presentation designed to persuade an audience to support or invest in a proposal. In music and audio, pitch refers to the perceived highness or lowness of a sound, and the process of adjusting that frequency.

In baseball and softball, pitchers deliver the ball from the mound toward home plate, aiming to combine speed, control, and deception. The repertoire of pitches includes fastballs, breaking balls such as curves and sliders, and off-speed offerings like changeups. Pitching involves mechanics (grip, stance, windup, release), strategy (sequence, counts), and conditioning to manage arm health. Professional play enforces rules on pitch count, legality of delivery, and balking penalties.

A pitch in business contexts is typically brief and focused. An investor pitch outlines the problem, the proposed solution, the market, business model, traction, and the team, followed by a specific ask. Formats range from elevator pitches to full pitch decks or slide presentations. Effective pitching emphasizes a clear narrative, tailored messaging, credible data, and a plan for use of funds, milestones, and risk management.

In music and audio practice, pitch describes the frequency of a note and the tuning of instruments. Musicians adjust pitch through singing, playing tuned instruments, or using electronic tuning and pitch-shifting tools. Pitch accuracy affects harmony and melody, while pitch perception is influenced by context and auditory training. Speech also uses pitch to convey intonation and emphasis.