knuckleball

Or knuck·le ball

[nuhk-uhl-bawl]

noun

Baseball.

1. a junk pitch that moves erratically toward home plate, usually delivered by holding the ball between the thumb and the knuckles of the first joints of the first two or three fingers.

   Trying to hit his knuckleball was like swatting at a fly with a straw.

Word History and Origins

Origin of knuckleball¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

"It's one of the knuckleball ones, but he should be saving it. He's made a mistake, but he has been one of the better goalkeepers this season."

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The Chiefs got a big boost when Dicker botched the ensuing kickoff, booting a knuckleball that failed to reach the landing zone, thereby allowing Kansas City to begin the final drive on its 40-yard line.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He would strike 'knuckleballs', where rather than the ball spiralling through the air cleanly, it would wobble erratically.

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Boston is wearing heart-shaped No. 49 patches in honor of the knuckleball pitcher this season.

Read more on Seattle Times

Though when he saw George Kirby unleash a nasty knuckleball in the last game of the season, Gilbert was more than amused.

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