brushbacks
Inside pitches, intentional
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—reclaiming the inside of the strike zone or retaliating for a perceived slight.
The pitcher threw two brushbacks before striking him out.
Figuratively, any aggressive warning or pushback: The CEO's memo was a brushback to critics.
Intentional hostile pitch
- insideThe inner area
- headhuntingRecruiting talent from competitors
- plunkDrop with weight
- fastballMaximum-speed baseball throw
hardball · retaliation · dominance · fear · control · dugout · batter · umpire
Antagonistic disposition toward others
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- provocationAct that triggers response
- beanballsPitches aimed at hitters
plunking · antagonism · animosity · belligerence · combativeness · feistiness · pugnacity · enmity
beanball
Intentional hostile pitch
- insideThe inner area
- headhuntingRecruiting talent from competitors
- plunkDrop with weight
fastball · hardball · retaliation · dominance · fear · control · dugout · batter · umpire · backoff
hostility
Antagonistic disposition toward others
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- provocationAct that triggers response
beanballs · plunking · antagonism · animosity · belligerence · combativeness · feistiness · pugnacity · enmity · aggressiveness
rivalry
Ongoing contest between opponents
pitchers · batters · sportsmanship · playoffs · standings · victory · defeat · athletics · league · championship