fastballs
Straight, blazing throws
Fastballs is the plural of fastball, a baseball pitch thrown at maximum speed with minimal spin or movement.
The fastball is the most fundamental pitch in a pitcher's arsenal, relying on velocity rather than deception: He threw nothing but fastballs in the first inning.
Figuratively, a fastball is something direct and unsubtle: The prosecutor came at him with fastballs.
Directed rate of motion
- heaterDevice producing warmth
- gasFormless, expanding substance
- smokeAirborne combustion byproduct
- four-seamStraight, fast baseball delivery
two-seam · mph · radar gun · release point · movement · location · inside corner · high heat
- flamethrowerIgnited fuel sprayer
- aceSingle-pip card
- closerOne who concludes
- power pitcherHard-throwing baseball starter
Roger Clemens · Pedro Martinez · Sandy Koufax · setup man · starter · reliever · fireballer · staff
Art of choosing moments
- bat speedSwing rate through zone
- reaction timeSpeed of response
- catching upClosing a distance
- sitting onPositioned above, supported by
ambush · crush · drive · launch angle · exit velocity · whiff · contact · anticipation
velocity
Directed rate of motion
four-seam · two-seam · mph · radar gun · release point · movement · location · inside corner · high heat · blazing
Nolan Ryan
- flamethrowerIgnited fuel sprayer
- aceSingle-pip card
- closerOne who concludes
Roger Clemens · Pedro Martinez · Sandy Koufax · power pitcher · setup man · starter · reliever · fireballer · staff · rotation
timing
Art of choosing moments
- bat speedSwing rate through zone
- reaction timeSpeed of response
- catching upClosing a distance
sitting on · ambush · crush · drive · launch angle · exit velocity · whiff · contact · anticipation · guessing
fastballscurveballs
Unexpected difficulties or challenges
breaking balls · sliders · curves · screwballs · sweepers