In baseball, a breaking ball is a pitch which does not travel straight like a fastball as it approaches the batter. A breaking ball will have some sideways or downward motion on it. Curveballs and sliders are two types of breaking balls.

A breaking ball is more difficult than a fastball for a catcher to receive as they sometimes hit the ground before making it to the plate (sometimes intentionally, sometimes not). The pitcher must therefore have confidence in the catcher to block a ball in the dirt when there are runners on base, as if the ball gets away from the catcher the runners will likely advance. The catcher must have confidence in himself to call the pitch.

Depending on whether or not a right handed or a left handed pitcher is throwing will dictate which direction a catcher will turn his body to adjust for the spin of a breaking ball. Therefore, blocking the breaking ball requires some thought and preparation.

See also

• List of baseball pitches

External link

The Mechanics of a Breaking Pitch