Guess the Pitch Think like the pitcher. Know what’s coming.
A free anticipation game for baseball and fastpitch hitters. Read the count and the pitcher, then guess: fastball or off-speed, strike or chase. Every pitch teaches what pitchers usually do in that count, and your Count IQ shows how smart your guesses are.
- Baseball + fastpitch
- Real counts
- New Daily Game every day
Guess the Pitch
15 pitches. Pick a type and a spot, then lock it in. Enter works too.
How pitchers use the count
The count tells you a lot about what’s coming. These are general tendencies, not guarantees. Every pitcher is different, so smart hitters start with the count and then learn the pitcher in front of them.
- Hitter’s counts (1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, 3-1): the pitcher needs a strike. Fastballs over the plate are most common.
- Pitcher’s counts (0-1, 0-2, 1-2): the pitcher doesn’t need a strike. Expect more off-speed and chase pitches.
- Even and full counts (0-0, 1-1, 2-2, 3-2): closer to a toss-up, but most pitchers lean fastball, especially 3-2.
- The pitcher: a power pitcher throws more fastballs. A crafty pitcher throws more soft stuff and works the edges.
How it’s scored
Get the type right for 2 points and the spot right for 1. Your Guess Score is your points out of a perfect game. Your Count IQ is the percent of guesses that were the smart guess for that count and pitcher, even when the pitcher fooled you. Over time, smart guesses win more at-bats than lucky ones.
Training guide
What it trains
Thinking like the pitcher: using the count and situation to predict what’s coming.
Who it’s for
Hitters 12U and up who want to hunt pitches instead of reacting to everything.
How to get better
- Learn what pitchers throw in each count: fastballs when behind, off-speed when ahead.
- Make a guess before every pitch, then check it.
- Use the guess to set your timing, not to swing at anything.
- Watch games and call the next pitch before it’s thrown.
Read more on the Backspin Blog
- Why Great Hitters Predict, Not Just React
- Why Hitters Get Fooled by Changeups & Curveballs
- How to Hit a Changeup: Baseball Hitter’s Guide
- How to Hit a Curveball in Softball (and Screwball)
Next step: run the free Hitter Combine to find your #1 priority, or train this skill start to finish in the Mental Approach course.
Questions
What pitch is usually thrown on 0-2?
When the pitcher is ahead 0-2, the most common plan is a chase pitch: off-speed, or a fastball out of the zone. Pitchers don’t need a strike, so they try to get you to swing at a ball.
What pitch is usually thrown on 3-1 or 2-0?
When the pitcher is behind, they need a strike, so fastballs in the zone are the most common. That’s why hitter’s counts are the time to look for your pitch and be ready to do damage.
How do hitters anticipate pitches?
Good hitters combine the count, the pitcher’s tendencies and what they’ve already seen. They don’t guess blindly; they make the smart guess for the situation and adjust if they’re wrong.
Is Guess the Pitch free?
Yes. It runs in your phone or computer browser with no app and no sign-up, and scores are saved only on your device.