Breaking ball意思
"Breaking ball" is a term used in baseball to describe a pitch that has significant lateral movement, also known as "break," as it travels through the air toward the batter. This movement is designed to make the pitch more difficult to hit by deceiving the batter about the ball's direction and speed. The term can refer to several types of pitches, but it is most commonly associated with curveballs, sliders, and sinkers.
Here's a brief overview of each type of breaking ball:
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Curveball: A curveball is a pitch that breaks downwards due to the rotation of the ball, which creates air resistance on one side and causes the ball to drop more sharply than a normal pitch. The movement is intended to make the ball more difficult to hit by causing the batter to swing under it.
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Slider: A slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and sometimes downwards as well. It is thrown with a similar motion to a fastball but with a sharp snap of the wrist, causing the ball to move to the side as it approaches the plate. The slider can be very effective in confusing the batter because it looks like a fastball early in its flight but then breaks off the plate.
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Sinker: A sinker is a pitch that is designed to dive downwards as it approaches the plate, often resulting in ground balls. The movement is created by the pitcher applying pressure with the middle and ring fingers on the bottom of the ball, causing it to sink as it travels through the air.
Breaking balls are contrasted with fastballs, which generally have less movement but are thrown at a higher velocity. Pitchers use a variety of breaking balls to complement their fastball and make it more challenging for the batter to predict the ball's trajectory. The effectiveness of a breaking ball depends on the pitcher's ability to control the pitch and make it look as much like a fastball as possible until the last moment.