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

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

Catcher Logan O’Hoppe struck out looking to end the game on a breaking ball well off the strike zone.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2025

Dustin May struggles to find consistent command with his breaking ball, and Atlanta’s Austin Riley makes him pay as the Dodgers’ seven-game winning streak ends.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2025

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