breaking ball

American  

[brey-king bawl] / ˈbreɪ kɪŋ ˈbɔl /

noun

Baseball.

1. any pitch in which the ball deviates from a straight path as it approaches the batter.

   If you’re not sure if it was a slider or a curve, just say it was a breaking ball.

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Etymology

Origin of breaking ball

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

breaking ball

Needing another weapon to complement his fastball and breaking ball, his college pitching coach suggested he attempt to add a splitter to his repertoire.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

But unlike their battle the previous night, this breaking ball was not off the plate, but rather knee high and over the inner half.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2024

“I’ve been able to land it for strikes the last couple of starts,” Glasnow said of his big breaking ball.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2024

A former starter and a lefty with a good breaking ball, which is something worse than kryptonite to Mariners hitters, Heaney pitched 4 1/3 innings allowing five hits not a walk and two strikeouts.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 30, 2023

“The breaking ball was pretty good tonight, and he threw some pretty good change-ups, some swing-and-miss change-ups,” Kotsay said.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 17, 2023