Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of pitch in baseball: A "breaking ball" is a pitch thrown with a specific grip and spin, causing its trajectory to curve, bend, or drop sharply as it nears the batter, making it difficult to hit.

Usage

• The term "breaking ball" is used specifically in the context of baseball and softball to describe a category of pitches. It is a general term for any pitch that moves or "breaks" significantly, unlike a fastball which travels on a straighter path.
• It is commonly used by players, coaches, commentators, and fans when discussing pitching strategy and the mechanics of different pitches.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The pitcher's best pitch is a sharp breaking ball that drops out of the strike zone.
  • He struck out the batter with a perfectly placed breaking ball on the outside corner.
  • Young pitchers are often taught not to overthrow their breaking ball to maintain control.

Advanced Usage

• "to throw a breaking ball": This is the standard verb collocation for using this pitch.
  • With two strikes, the catcher signaled for the pitcher to throw a breaking ball.
• "hanging breaking ball": A poorly thrown breaking ball that fails to break sharply and instead stays in the middle of the strike zone, making it easy for the batter to hit.
  • The hitter crushed a home run off a hanging breaking ball.

Variants and Related Words

• Curveball (n): A specific, common type of breaking ball characterized by a pronounced downward and sometimes sideways curve.
• Slider (n): A type of breaking ball that moves laterally with speed closer to a fastball.
• Knuckle curve (n): A breaking ball that combines the grip of a knuckleball with the throwing motion of a curveball.
• Breaking pitch (n): A synonymous phrase for "breaking ball."

Synonyms

• Curve: Often used informally as a short form for "curveball," a type of breaking ball.
• Off-speed pitch: A broader category that includes breaking balls and changeups, referring to any pitch thrown significantly slower than a fastball.

Related Phrases

• "to set up the fastball": A common strategy where a pitcher throws breaking balls to make their subsequent fastball more effective. This phrase is intrinsically linked to the tactical use of a breaking ball.
  • He used his breaking ball to set up the fastball, which the batter swung through.
• "to buckle a batter's knees": An idiomatic expression describing a very effective breaking ball that causes the batter to flinch or stumble, often appearing to "break" their stance.
  • The pitcher's curveball was so good it buckled the batter's knees.

Noun

1. a pitch of a baseball that is thrown with spin so that its path curves as it approaches the batter