How would you describe a curveball?

How would you describe a curveball?

Definition. A curveball is a breaking pitch that has more movement than just about any other pitch. It is thrown slower and with more overall break than a slider, and it is used to keep hitters off-balance. The pitch is so well known in American culture that the phrase “throw a curveball” has emerged as an idiom.

What is the movement of a curveball?

The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive (i.e. “break”) in a downward path as it approaches the plate.

What happens when you throw a curveball?

The curveball is often a strikeout pitch. It dives down as it gets to home plate. The velocity is as effective as the movement to create deception and disrupt a hitter’s timing because it’s usually much slower than a fastball.

Is curve balls one word?

or curve ball noun Baseball. a pitch with a downward spin that causes the ball to drop and veer as it approaches home plate, away from the side from which it was thrown: He started perfecting his curveball during his junior year in high school.

Is a curveball a breaking ball?

A breaking ball (aka breaking pitch) is a pitch in which the pitcher snaps or breaks his wrist to give the ball spin and movement. This includes the curveball, slider, and slurve, but not the various kinds of fastball and change-up or trick pitches like the knuckleball.

Why is a curveball called an Uncle Charlie?

One of the early nicknames of the curveball was Uncle Charlie, or sometimes, Lord Charles. This was derived from the name of Harvard President Charles Elliot, who was opposed to the adoption of the curveball and considered it to be cheating. No surprise there, because Harvard was the curveball’s original victim.

What does a curveball look like to a batter?

It’s a pitch that can confuse a batter because it looks like it’s flying straight but then curves away as it crosses home plate. The pitcher puts a spin on the ball when they release it from their hand. This could be a “topspin” rotation, where the top of the ball spins forward while the ball hurtles towards the plate.

What does a curveball look like?

Curveball. Has significantly more depth than the slider. Usually has a 12-6 break (as if looking at a clock). Spin is straight over the top, and the ball will look like it has a hump coming out of the pitchers hand.

Why does the path of a pitched ball curve downward?

Curveballs, velocity and pressure The friction between the spinning ball and the air causes the air molecules on the right side of the ball to move backwards. The air molecules on the left side of the ball move forward. If it’s thrown with a downward spin, then the ball will curve downwards.

What breaking balls mean?

1. vulgar slang To exert oneself to the utmost degree; to put forth the maximum amount of effort or strain. “Balls” is slang for the testicles, so the phrase in every meaning is usually (but not solely) said of or by a man. I’ve been breaking my balls trying to get the new software ready by the release date.

What are the different types of curveballs in baseball?

For other uses, see Curveball (disambiguation). In baseball and softball, the curveball is a type of pitch thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball, causing it to dive as it approaches the plate. Varieties of curveball include the 12–6 curveball, power curveball, and the knuckle curve.

What does it mean when a pitcher throws a curveball?

Pitchers who can throw a curveball completely over handed with the arm slot more or less vertical will have a curveball that will break straight downwards. This is called a 12–6 curveball as the break of the pitch is on a straight path downwards like the hands of a clock at 12 and 6.

How is the trajectory of a curveball interpreted?

The curveball’s trajectory is smooth, however the batter perceives a sudden, dramatic change in the ball’s direction. When an object that is spinning and moving through space is viewed directly, the overall motion is interpreted correctly by the brain.

Where does the curveball start in the batter’s vision?

A curveball’s trajectory begins in the center of the batter’s vision, but overlaps with peripheral vision as it approaches the plate, which may explain the suddenness of the break perceived by the batter. A peer-reviewed article on this hypothesis was published in 2010.