curveball

American  

[kurv-bawl] / ˈkɜrvˌbɔl /

Or curve ball

noun

Baseball.

1. a pitch with a downward spin that causes the ball to drop and veer as it approaches home plate, away from the side from which it was thrown.

   He started perfecting his curveball during his junior year in high school.

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Etymology

Origin of curveball

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

In September, however, the same 6-3 majority threw another curveball.

From The Wall Street Journal

After finishing off the sixth with a big looping curveball, the Dodgers ever-intense right-hander flexed his arms and bellowed a fired-up scream.

From Los Angeles Times

The 25-year-old, who boasts a wicked curveball, averaged only about one strikeout per inning in 2022, but he has strikeout stuff, as evidenced by the fact that he was one of five pitchers with three games of 12 strikeouts or more.

From Washington Post

His curveball can be a plus out pitch.

From Washington Post

They end up chasing a high fastball, because that curveball’s been a strike.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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