What is a breaking ball?

A breaking ball is a type of pitch in baseball that is designed to deceive the batter by appearing to move one direction and then breaking in another direction. Breaking balls include curveballs, sliders, and knuckleballs.

Curveballs are thrown with topspin to create downward movement, while sliders have lateral movement and tend to break away from the batter. Knuckleballs are thrown with minimal spin, causing the ball to move erratically as it approaches the plate.

Pitchers use breaking balls to keep hitters off balance and to create movement that can lead to swings and misses, or weakly hit balls. Mastering the art of throwing a breaking ball can take time and practice, as the grip and release point are crucial to achieving the desired movement.