Difference Between A Curveball And A Slider?

[Ski]

From my understanding (which could be wrong) a curveball mainly breaks down and a slider has more of a horizontal break. But Marmol's slider usually breaks down, and it looks more like a curveball to me. What's the technical difference? It seems I see the two interchanged a lot, unless I'm understanding something wrong.

[Rusch33]

Curveballs usually dive 11/5 or 12/6 (like on a clock), while sliders sweep. Yes, Marmol's slider drops, but it sweeps more than it's dropping.

[MADD_DOG_31]

The curveball is thrown with the middle finger and thumb on the seams with the pressure on the middle finger, and it is thrown with the wrist cocked and you basically pull it down like a lamp shade

 

A slider is thrown with the fore finger and the thumb on the seams with the pressure on the fore finger, and it is thrown just like a fastball until the last second and you turn ur wrist like a lamp shade releasing the ball as far from ur body as possible

 

A good slider and a good curve should both break about 12-6 but the curve should break earlier and longer while the slider should have late tight break

 

 

hope that helps....and your not the only one that doesnt know....many announcers on national tv have no idea

[treebird]

they're all just breaking balls. a lot of guys have more than one.

[imb]

jesus can hit a slider

[Ski]

they're all just breaking balls. a lot of guys have more than one.

Let's just call all non-fastballs "breaking balls" from now on.

 

And thanks, Madd Dog.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

jesus can hit a slider

pish posh. youtube or it didn't happen

[17 Seconds]

So what does Wood throw now?

[Clem Fandango]

jesus can hit a slider

 

You trying to tell me Jesus can't hit a curveball?

[OleMissCub]

screwball. Now that's a breaking pitch. It's a shame you don't see it thrown much anymore, but I guess there is the whole "deformed arm" thing to worry about from throwing it too much.

[fromthestretch]

The curveball is thrown with the middle finger and thumb on the seams with the pressure on the middle finger, and it is thrown with the wrist cocked and you basically pull it down like a lamp shade

 

Not all pitchers throw it that way. I remember reading that Zito, for example, has always used his index finger instead of his middle finger on the seam. While it's not as common, I doubt he's the only one that throws it this way.

[biittner77]

 

hope that helps....and your not the only one that doesnt know....many announcers on national tv have no idea

 

Hence Joe Morgan coining the phrase "slide piece".

[FergieJ31]

From Professor Kaat:

 

http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/sports/1283161.html?page=3

 

About Kerry's breaking pitch - I don't know what he would call it these days but I'd like to see him bring back that circa-1998 wiffleball slurve for the playoffs.

[Mugged By Fluffy]

From Professor Kaat:

 

http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/sports/1283161.html?page=3

 

About Kerry's breaking pitch - I don't know what he would call it these days but I'd like to see him bring back that circa-1998 wiffleball slurve for the playoffs.

 

That pitch of Kerry's was absolutely unreal. Whatever it was- slurve, slider, etc... it had the craziest, freakiest breakaway that I have ever seen. The definition of nasty. LOL Wiffleball is a good description.

[jaxxradio]

As a radio announcer who has struggled mightily with the two pitches.. I can tell you this:

 

If a pitcher throws both pitches, the slider is the one with more velocity. An average slider is 83-86, while an average curve is 78-81 (these numbers are based on a guy with a 90 mph fastball).

 

You would think that I could tell the difference between the two from the radio booth.. thats one of MANY reasons why I ain't in the big leagues..

[swordsman]

jesus can hit a slider

 

You trying to tell me Jesus can't hit a curveball?

 

Guys, he doesn't play baseball. Sen. Obama plays basketball.

[Guest]

jesus can hit a slider

 

You trying to tell me Jesus can't hit a curveball?

 

Guys, he doesn't play baseball. Sen. Obama plays basketball.

 

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-06/39581976.jpg

[swordsman]

jesus can hit a slider

 

You trying to tell me Jesus can't hit a curveball?

 

Guys, he doesn't play baseball. Sen. Obama plays basketball.

 

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-06/39581976.jpg

 

:club:

[Guest]

What's funny is I was viewing a photo timeline of Obama and McCain at latimes.com at the same time I saw your post. :)

 

Just to appease you:

 

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-06/39582103.jpg

[Transmogrified Tiger]

screwball. Now that's a breaking pitch. It's a shame you don't see it thrown much anymore, but I guess there is the whole "deformed arm" thing to worry about from throwing it too much.

 

Everyone throws a screwball nowadays, they just call it a two-seamer.

[Cynosure]

What's funny is I was viewing a photo timeline of Obama and McCain at latimes.com at the same time I saw your post. :)

 

Just to appease you:

 

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-06/39582103.jpg

 

He was the only black dude on the basketball team?

 

Not being racist at all, just looks odd... what year was that photo taken?

[B]

What's funny is I was viewing a photo timeline of Obama and McCain at latimes.com at the same time I saw your post. :)

 

Just to appease you:

 

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-06/39582103.jpg

 

He was the only black dude on the basketball team?

 

Not being racist at all, just looks odd... what year was that photo taken?

He looks bigger then than he does now.

[mcgoobs]

In high school I could pick up a curveball by the pitcher's motion and the way it came out of his hands. I had a very hard time picking up a slider. It looks too much like a fastball.

[Eric Clipperton]

I mean, the Obama pic is Hawaii, not exactly known as a Black mecca.

[CoolHandLuke]

When you say "like a lamp shade", what do you mean? Am I a moron for not understanding this?