noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
pitching; throwing a ball; bowling (cricket); pitched ball
Primarily used in baseball for the act of pitching or a pitched ball. Also used in cricket for bowling. Can refer to the pitch itself or the action.
彼の投球はとても速い。
His pitches are very fast.
ピッチャーが投球する。
The pitcher throws the ball.
投げる is the general verb for 'to throw', while 投球 is a noun/suru-verb specifically for pitching in sports like baseball or cricket.
ピッチング is a loanword from English 'pitching', used similarly but more casual and common in spoken Japanese. 投球 is the native term, often used in formal or written contexts.
Compound of 投 (とう, 'throw') + 球 (きゅう, 'ball'). The reading is on'yomi. The word is a relatively modern coinage for sports terminology.