Comparison

First Pitch Strike vs Optimal 9

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

First Pitch Strike

Features
Read full description

First Pitch Strike (FPS) is designed to track and store information about pitches thrown by a pitcher. The app has a user-friendly interface that allows coaches and players to input data about pitch type, speed, location, and result for each pitch. During a practice session, the app can be used to track the pitches thrown by a pitcher, providing detailed statistics for each practice session. This includes information about the number of pitches thrown, pitch type breakdown, average pitch speed, and pitch location. In addition to tracking pitches in practice, the app also allows users to record and track pitches thrown during games. The app stores game-by-game statistics and allows users to review their performance over time.  To assist with analyzing pitching performance, the app provides a pitch-by-pitch playback feature, which allows users to view individual pitches and analyze the details of each pitch. FPS also enables users to share their pitch data with others, such as coaches and teammates, directly within the application. This feature allows for collaboration and feedback on pitching performance and can help players improve their skills. Overall, First Pitch Strike is an essential tool for players and coaches who want to track and improve their pitching performance. The app provides a comprehensive set of features to help users track, analyze, and share their pitch data, making it a valuable tool for any pitcher looking to improve their game. First Pitch Strike provides the means for tracking pitcher data over a single game. If you desire to track multiple sessions, save, and share this data or if you want to follow another pitcher, you will need to purchase the following auto-renewing subscription through an In-App Purchase: Pitcher Data Tracking - • Auto-renewable subscription • 1 month ($1.99) duration • 1 week trial period • Your subscription will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and will automatically renew monthly unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Current subscription may not be cancelled during the active subscription period; however, you can manage your subscription and/or turn off auto-renewal by visiting your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. The subscription above allows you to follow up to 5 pitchers. If you want to extend this amount to 30, you will need to add the following subscription: Pitcher Follow Limit - • Auto-renewable subscription • 1 month ($1.99) duration • 1 week trial period • Your subscription will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and will automatically renew monthly unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Current subscription may not be cancelled during the active subscription period; however, you can manage your subscription and/or turn off auto-renewal by visiting your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Privacy policy: https://sites.google.com/view/firstpitchstrike/privacypolicy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Optimal 9

This app simulates baseball batting orders using real player statistics from recent seasons. It allows users to test different lineup configurations to maximize run scoring potential over a series of games. Analyze performance based on actual data and roster information.

Highlights
  • Batting order optimization
  • Real statistical performance analysis
  • 2022-2023 season data
  • Roster integration
  • Multi-game simulation
Features
Read full description

Optimize the batting order for a baseball team using real statistical performance. This is a way to test your theories about which batter should hit in each position for maximum run scoring in a game. The simulator uses actual 2022 and 2023 statistics and rosters and allows you to choose any batting order over a large series of games to analyze the performance.

Screenshots

First Pitch Strike4 screens
Optimal 94 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Optimal 9 at none against First Pitch Strike's 2. First Pitch Strike's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 10 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. First Pitch Strike sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Optimal 9 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

First Pitch Strike ships an update every 6 weeks, Optimal 9 every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
First Pitch Strike versus Optimal 9: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFirst Pitch StrikeOptimal 9
PriceFreeFree
Rating—2.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 10 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristian HenneStuart Zussman

In-app purchases

2 purchases

First Pitch Strike

Subscriptions2
  • Pitcher Follow Limit$1.991 Month
  • Pitcher Data Tracking7 Days trial$1.991 Month
None

Optimal 9

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is First Pitch Strike free?
First Pitch Strike is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Optimal 9 free?
Optimal 9 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do First Pitch Strike or Optimal 9 have ads?
Neither First Pitch Strike nor Optimal 9 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, First Pitch Strike or Optimal 9?
First Pitch Strike ships an update every 6 weeks, and Optimal 9 every 10 months. Most recently, First Pitch Strike was updated on October 19, 2026 and Optimal 9 on September 28, 2026.

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