How Many Calories Are in a Pitch? The Surprising Answer Explained

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

The query 'how many calories are in a pitch?' is often a result of confusion, as the term applies to several different things. For instance, a single Brioche Pasquier Pitch brioche roll with chocolate chips contains 143 calories. We will explore the caloric information for various interpretations of the word 'pitch'.

Quick Summary

The number of calories in a pitch varies wildly depending on the context, from a chocolate brioche roll (approx. 143 kcal) to a can of Mtn Dew Pitch Black (170 kcal). It can also refer to the calories burned during the physical act of pitching in sports like baseball or softball, which is an expenditure of energy, not an intake.

Key Points

Multiple Meanings: The term 'pitch' can refer to a food item (brioche), a beverage (Mtn Dew), or a sports activity, each with vastly different caloric implications.
Food Intake: A Brioche Pasquier Pitch with chocolate chips has about 143 calories per roll, while a 12 fl oz can of Mtn Dew Pitch Black contains 170 calories.
Exercise Expenditure: Pitching in sports burns calories; a 183-pound pitcher can expend around 900 calories over a 2-hour game.
Factors Affecting Burn: Calorie expenditure from sports pitching depends on an individual's weight, the intensity of the throw, and the duration of play.
Clarification is Key: To answer the question correctly, you must first clarify whether the person is asking about caloric intake from food/drink or caloric expenditure from exercise.
Context Matters: The term is a homonym, so context is crucial to avoid giving an inaccurate nutritional answer.

Deciphering the Pitch: A Tale of Three Meanings

When someone asks, 'how many calories are in a pitch?', they might be talking about a few very different things. The word can refer to a popular brand of brioche, a specific flavor of soda, or the physical action of throwing a ball in sports like baseball or softball. Understanding the context is key to providing the correct caloric information. This article will break down the calorie counts for each interpretation, helping to clarify the common confusion and providing a complete answer to this surprisingly complex question.

Calories in a Food Item: Brioche Pasquier Pitch

One of the most common products associated with the name is the Brioche Pasquier Pitch, a filled brioche roll popular in the UK and Europe. The calorie content for these tasty treats can vary slightly depending on the filling. For example, a chocolate chip version will have a different nutritional profile than a chocolate hazelnut one.

Nutritional breakdown of Pitch brioche rolls:

Pitch Chocolate Chip (37.5g roll): Approximately 143 calories, 6.0g fat, 19.0g carbs.
Pitch Chocolate Hazelnut (37.5g roll): Approximately 132 calories, 4.0g fat, 21.0g carbs.
Pitch Strawberry (37.5g roll): Approximately 125 calories, 3.6g fat.

These calorie counts are for a single serving size, as listed on the packaging and in nutritional databases. For those tracking their intake, knowing the specific flavor and weight is essential for accuracy.

Calories in a Beverage: Mtn Dew Pitch Black

Another potential meaning of the word 'pitch' is the soda flavor Mtn Dew Pitch Black. This beverage is a dark, citrus-flavored soda that was released and re-released by the Mountain Dew brand. Like all sodas, it is high in sugar and calories.

A 12 fl oz (355 ml) can of Mtn Dew Pitch Black: Contains 170 calories, 45g of sugar, and 55mg of caffeine.
A 16.9 fl oz (500 ml) bottle: Contains 240 calories and 63g of sugar.

This is a classic example of a calorie-dense drink that offers minimal nutritional value. The caloric impact from drinking a can of Mtn Dew Pitch Black is significantly higher than that of a single brioche roll.

Calories Burned from Pitching in Sports

Unlike the food and drink items, pitching a baseball or softball does not contain calories; rather, it burns them. The number of calories a person burns during a game of fast or slow pitch depends on several factors, including their body weight, the intensity of the activity, and the duration of play. Pitchers, in particular, burn a significant number of calories due to the continuous and explosive nature of their movements.

General baseball/softball play: A 150-pound person burns about 340 calories per hour playing general baseball.
Specific to pitching: A 183-pound pitcher can burn approximately 900 calories over a 2-hour game. This is more than a fielder, who might burn around 600 calories in the same time frame due to less intense, more intermittent activity.

Factors that Influence Calories Burned During Pitching

Body Weight: A heavier individual will generally burn more calories performing the same activity than a lighter one.
Intensity and Speed: Fast-pitch softball and baseball require more energy than slow-pitch, leading to a higher calorie expenditure.
Rest Periods: The stop-and-go nature of baseball means total calories burned can be lower than in continuous sports, but a pitcher's activity is more sustained.
Practice vs. Game: Calorie burn can also differ between practice sessions, which may involve more continuous throwing, and an actual game, which includes breaks.

Comparison Table: Calories in 'Pitch' by Context


Item / Activity	Caloric Information	Type of Calories	Key Takeaway
Brioche Pasquier Pitch (Chocolate Chip)	~143 calories per 37.5g roll	Calorie Intake	A sweet treat with a moderate calorie count.
Mtn Dew Pitch Black	170 calories per 12 fl oz can	Calorie Intake	A high-sugar, zero-nutrition beverage.
Baseball Pitching (183 lb pitcher)	~900 calories burned per 2 hours	Calorie Expenditure	An intense, energy-consuming physical activity.
Softball Pitching (general)	~290 calories burned per hour	Calorie Expenditure	A good form of physical exercise.
Peach	~68 calories per large fruit	Calorie Intake	The original "pitch" fruit (via misspelling) is a low-calorie, healthy snack.

The True Meaning of the Calorie Question

When confronted with this question, it's vital to recognize the potential for misinterpretation. The real answer lies in understanding the difference between caloric intake (from food and drink) and caloric expenditure (from exercise). The phrase 'pitch' acts as a homonym in this context, and treating it as a single entity leads to inaccurate and unhelpful answers. For a detailed guide on understanding calorie burn during sports, you can consult resources like Nutracheck's guide on calories burned playing team sports.

Conclusion

In summary, the number of calories in a pitch is entirely dependent on the specific definition being used. A chocolate brioche roll contains a specific number of consumable calories, while a can of Mtn Dew Pitch Black holds a different, higher caloric value. Meanwhile, pitching in a sport is not a source of calories but rather a way to burn them. By clarifying the context, one can provide a precise and helpful response to this unique nutritional query.

Frequently Asked Questions

A single Brioche Pasquier Pitch brioche roll with chocolate chips contains approximately 143 calories. Calorie counts can vary by flavor, with some ranging from 125 to 158 calories per roll.

Yes, pitching a baseball can burn a significant number of calories. The amount depends on the pitcher's weight and the intensity. For example, a 183-pound pitcher may burn around 900 calories over a 2-hour game.

Yes, Mtn Dew Pitch Black is relatively high in calories for a beverage. A standard 12 fl oz can contains 170 calories, all from sugar.

For softball, both fast and slow pitch, general playing burns about 290 calories per hour for a 150-pound person. The act of pitching itself can be more demanding and burn more.

The question is confusing because the word 'pitch' is a homonym, referring to multiple things. It can be a brand of brioche, a soda flavor, or a physical activity, each with its own calorie information.

No, the calorie content varies by flavor. For example, the chocolate chip version has 143 calories, while the chocolate hazelnut is around 132 calories per 37.5g roll.

You can use an online calorie calculator or a fitness tracker to get an estimate based on your body weight, the duration of your activity, and its intensity. Sources like FitDay provide general guidelines.