Baseball is a sport that requires a great deal of skill to play. While most of the focus is on hitting and fielding, there are also many different types of pitches that a pitcher can throw. Two of the most common pitches are the slider and the curveball. Both of these pitches are designed to deceive the batter and give the pitcher an edge. Let’s take a look at what these pitches are and how they work.
What is a Slider?
A slider is a pitch that is thrown with a lot of spin so that it breaks sharply in one direction at the last moment. This makes it difficult for the batter to predict which way the ball is going to move. It is typically thrown with a grip that is similar to a fastball, but the pitcher will use his or her middle finger to apply more pressure on the ball. This causes it to spin more than a fastball and gives it the break that makes it so difficult to hit.
What is a Curveball?
A curveball is a pitch that is thrown with a grip that is similar to a slider. However, the pitcher will use their index finger to apply more pressure on the ball. This causes the ball to spin more than a slider and gives it a larger curve at the end. The goal of a curveball is to deceive the batter by making them think the ball is going to come in straight, but then the ball will break sharply in one direction.
Differences Between a Slider and Curveball
Although both a slider and curveball are designed to deceive the batter, there are some key differences between the two pitches.
Speed: The speed of a slider is usually faster than a curveball as the spin is less. This makes it more difficult for the batter to predict which way the ball will move.
Break: A slider will usually have a sharper break than a curveball. This makes it even more difficult for the batter to predict where the ball is going.
Grip: The grip used to throw a slider is slightly different than the grip used to throw a curveball. This is why some pitchers prefer one pitch over the other.
Conclusion
Sliders and curveballs are two of the most common pitches used in baseball. They both have the same goal of deceiving the batter and giving the pitcher an edge. Sliders are usually faster than curveballs and have a sharper break. They are also thrown with a slightly different grip. It is up to the pitcher to decide which pitch works best for them.