Pronunciation: [pˈɪt͡ʃɪŋ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "pitching" follows the English phonetic rules. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈpɪtʃɪŋ/. The first syllable "pit" is pronounced as /pɪt/ and the second syllable "ching" as /ʧɪŋ/. The letter "t" in "pitch" is pronounced as /t/ but becomes a "ʧ" sound when followed by "i" and "n" in "ching". "Pitching" is a common word used in baseball and means throwing the ball to the batter.
Pitching refers to the act of throwing or delivering a projectile, typically a ball or other object, with the intention of achieving a specific target. This term is most commonly associated with sports such as baseball or softball, where the delivery of the ball to the batter is crucial for the success of the game. The pitcher, who stands on a designated area known as the pitcher's mound, performs a motion that involves swinging their arm in an arc and releasing the ball in a controlled manner.
In baseball, pitching not only involves the physical act of throwing the ball, but also encompasses the strategic aspect of selecting the type of pitch to deliver. Different pitches, such as fastballs, curveballs, change-ups, or sliders, offer varied speed, spin, and movement, making it more challenging for the batter to hit the ball effectively. Furthermore, pitching involves executing pitches with accuracy, precision, and deception to outsmart the opposing batter and gain a competitive advantage.
Outside of sports, pitching can also be used in a more metaphorical sense to describe the act of presenting an idea or proposal to an audience or potential investors. In this context, pitching involves effectively communicating and persuading the listeners or investors about the merits and potential benefits of the idea, product, or project. It often requires concise and impactful delivery, showcasing the key points, unique selling propositions, and potential success factors in order to secure support or funding.
• Descending or sloping, as a hill.
• Act of throwing or casting; a setting or fixing; the alternate rising and falling of a ship's head and stern on the waves.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pitching" has multiple etymological origins, depending on its specific usage.
1. As a verb meaning to throw or hurl:
can be traced back to the Old English word "pyccan" which meant "to thrust" or "to stick" and is related to the Old High German word "picken". Over time, it evolved into "picchen" in Middle English, meaning "to thrust a pointed instrument into the ground", and eventually "to throw or toss".
2. In the context of baseball or cricket, meaning to throw a ball:
This usage comes from the verb "to pitch", which originated from the Old English word "piccean", meaning "to thrust or pierce with anything pointed".
3. In business or sales, meaning to present or promote:
Here, the term comes from the word "pitch" as in a sales pitch or an elevator pitch.
