(a) an alteration in the speed or rate at which something is done; a change from what is usual or accustomed; (b) Baseball = change up, n. 2; (c) Cr…

a ball that is bowled or pitched at a deceptively low speed, in order to disrupt the batter’s timing.

That has gone past a specified point. Baseball. passed ball n. a legally pitched ball which the catcher misses or allows to go past or behind him…

Baseball. A pitch delivered outside the strike zone which the batter does not attempt to hit. Cf. strike, n.1 12b, base on balls n. at base, n.1…

Sport (Cricket and Baseball). A ball bowled or pitched so as to strike the ribs. Now archaic.

(a) a pitch which the umpire judges to be outside the strike zone and which the batter does not attempt to hit; = ball, n.1 2d (now rare); (b) a…

Baseball. A relatively low pitch, esp. one delivered below the level of the batter's waist.

a pitch which is not hit by the batter and cannot be stopped by the catcher, enabling a base-runner to advance; hence as v. transitive, to enable (a…

Baseball. A delivery in which the pitcher causes the ball to deviate from a straight path by imparting spin. Cf. curve, n. 6.

the pitch of a short ball (short ball n.).

Sport. colloquial. Cf. daisy-cutter, n. 2. Chiefly Baseball and Golf. A ball propelled with a low trajectory or along the ground, esp. with force.

Baseball and Softball. A fast pitch or delivery.

Baseball. A delivery in which the pitcher, by imparting spin, causes the ball to drop steeply as it nears the batter. Now rare.

Baseball. A slow pitch with a high arc. Cf. eephus, n. 2.

Baseball. A pitch thrown intentionally beyond the reach of the batter to allow the catcher a clear throw at an advancing base runner.

The head. slang (originally U.S.). bean ball n. Baseball a ball pitched at the batter's head.

Baseball. A ball moistened on one side with saliva or sweat before pitching, so that it acquires a swerve. (Illegal in the official game.)

Baseball. A pitch in which the ball is thrown with reverse spin in order to make it curve towards the side from which it was thrown, i.e. in the…

U.S. Baseball. = spitball, n. 2.

a pitch which drops markedly as it nears the home plate; cf. sense 10.

Baseball. A pitch that curves dramatically in a direction opposite to that of a normal curve ball; = fade-away, n. 1. Cf. sense B. 1a. Now historical.

Baseball. An easily hit pitch.

Baseball. A very fast pitch or delivery; spec. = fastball, n. 1a.

Baseball. A roundhouse curve. rare.

a pitch in which the ball is held tightly with the thumb, index, and middle fingers spread wide apart, in order to make it fall down sharply or…

Baseball. A ball which drops markedly after being pitched. Occasionally also: a batted ball which drops suddenly as it reaches the fielder (now rare).

(see quots.).

Baseball. A knuckle ball (see knuckle ball n. at knuckle, n. compounds 2).

In form gopher. Baseball. Usually as gopher ball. A pitch that is or can be hit for a run, esp. a home run.

Baseball. A fast pitch that breaks or slides away from its original path.

Baseball. (See quot. 1961.)

Baseball. Pitches that rely on unpredictable movement rather than speed, such as breaking balls and knuckleballs. Cf. junkball, n.

Baseball. A slow pitch thrown with the motions of a fastball to deceive the batter.

A slow pitch having a high arcing trajectory.

A pitch that relies on movement rather than speed, such as a breaking ball or knuckleball. Frequently attributive, esp. in junkball pitcher. Also…

Compounds. split-finger adj. also split-fingered Baseball designating a pitch thrown with the motion of a fastball, but with the index and middle…

Baseball. A slow pitch thrown with the motions of a fastball to deceive the batter; = change up, n. 2.