Pitch black: zero light initially when getting up (3)
I believe the answer is:
lob
'pitch' is the definition.
(both can mean to throw)
'black zero light initially when getting up' is the wordplay.
'black' becomes 'b' (as in pencil classifications).
'zero' becomes 'O' (O resembles 0).
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
'when getting up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
The first letter of 'light' is 'l'.
'b'+'o'+'l'='bol'
'bol' written backwards gives 'LOB'.
(Other definitions for lob that I've seen before include "Send in a high arc as in tennis or cricket" , "Tennis shot" , "High throw or hit" , "Loft" , "Chuck" .)