pitchtype

Pitchtype is a term used in various domains to denote the classification or category of a pitched item, whether in sports, music technology, or data modeling. It is not a formally standardized word with a single universal definition, but rather a label that adapts to context.

In baseball analytics, pitchtype is a common field in datasets and scoring systems. It refers to the specific kind of pitch thrown by a pitcher, such as fastball, curveball, slider, changeup, cutter, sinker, knuckleball, or other variants. Pitch-type labeling allows analysts to study pitcher performance, hitter outcomes, and the effectiveness of different offerings. In practice, systems may use several naming schemes or numeric codes, with mappings to descriptive names.

In data modeling and software, pitchtype often appears as an enumerated attribute or a coded field. Its exact set of allowed values depends on the database or application, and may reflect domain conventions, league rules, or custom project requirements. As a result, documentation typically explains the mapping between codes and human-readable labels for analysis, visualization, or reporting.

Beyond baseball, the term can appear in audio and music-technology contexts as a generic label for the type of pitch in a synthesized or analyzed sound, or as a convenience label in pitch-detection outputs. In these cases, pitchtype helps organize results by category, even though the precise meaning depends on the software or study design.

See also: pitch, pitch type, fastball, curveball, data schema.