cut fastball

American  

[kuht fast-bawl] / ˈkʌt ˌfæst bɔl /

noun

Baseball.

1. a fast pitch similar to a slider but delivered with a flick of the wrist, which abbreviates, or cuts, the turn of the ball upon release.

   It doesn’t matter that he always tosses the same cut fastball because it’s always too filthy to hit.

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Etymology

Origin of cut fastball

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

He mixed his heater with a curveball, cut fastball, slider and changeup.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2024

Seager pulled an 0-2 inside cut fastball down the right-field line 406 feet for a two-out solo homer.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 30, 2022

“I had never seen a pitch like that before, but it excited me,” Suzuki told Japanese reporters of Burnes’s cut fastball.

From New York Times • Apr. 22, 2022

Five of the six hits that he allowed came off his four-seam or cut fastball.

From Washington Times • Oct. 7, 2021

With two on and no outs, Bassitt threw an 89.5 mph cut fastball that Brian Goodwin drove right back up the middle.

From Fox News • Aug. 18, 2021