👉 Baseball missiles, also known as pop-up pitches or pop-up fastballs, are a type of pitch designed to deceive batters by mimicking the motion of a fastball but without its typical spin. They are typically thrown with a similar arm action and speed to a fastball, making them difficult for batters to judge in terms of speed and spin. This deception can lead batters to misjudge the pitch's trajectory and timing, often resulting in strikeouts or walks. The effectiveness of baseball missiles lies in their ability to exploit the cognitive biases and reaction times of batters, making them a valuable tool for pitchers looking to gain an edge in the game.