brushback
Pitch near batter
A brushback is a pitch in baseball thrown close to the batter's body, forcing them to step back from the plate.
The purpose is intimidation—to make the batter less comfortable crowding the strike zone.
The pitcher's brushback sent a clear message.
Figuratively, any aggressive warning or pushback: The CEO's memo was a brushback to critics.
Pitch near batter's body
- chin musicSlang for empty talk
- beanballIntentional hostile pitch
- fastballMaximum-speed baseball throw
- plunkDrop with weight
headhunter · crowding · retaliation · dominance · fear · menace · deterrence · hardball
Sports match official
- warningAlert about danger
- ejectionForced removal from somewhere
- hit-by-pitchBatter struck by ball
- intentionalDone on purpose
review · suspension · fine · batter · dugout · league office · retaliation · unwritten rules
inside pitch
Pitch near batter's body
- chin musicSlang for empty talk
- beanballIntentional hostile pitch
- fastballMaximum-speed baseball throw
plunk · headhunter · crowding · retaliation · dominance · fear · menace · deterrence · hardball · enforcer
umpire
Sports match official
- warningAlert about danger
- ejectionForced removal from somewhere
- hit-by-pitchBatter struck by ball
intentional · review · suspension · fine · batter · dugout · league office · retaliation · unwritten rules · judgment call
pitcher
Pouring vessel or hurler
inside corner · sequence · count · strikeout · hitter · stance · crowding · two-seamer · velocity · location
- Baseball Slangdinger, heater, K, ribby, tater
- baseball tacticshit and run, double steal, pickoff, steal, sacrifice bunt
- baseball incidentsbalk, error, ejection, interference, obstruction
brushbackolive branch
Symbol of reconciliation
concession · accommodation · welcome · capitulation · appeasement
- brushback pitchIntentionally inside throw