off-speed
Not the fastball
Off-speed describes pitches in baseball thrown slower than a fastball to disrupt a batter's timing.
An off-speed pitch—changeup, curveball, slider—arrives later than expected, causing batters to swing early or misjudge location: He sat on the fastball and got fooled by the off-speed.
The term extends to any deliberately slower delivery in sports.
Deliberately slow pitch
- curveballPitch with spin-induced arc
- sliderAdjustable interface element
- sinkerWeight on fishing line
- knuckleballSpinless, erratic throw
splitter · forkball · screwball · breaking ball · grip · arm angle · release point · rotation
Identity-concealing alteration
- tunnelEnclosed underground route
- eye levelHorizontal plane of vision
- feintDeceptive mock attack
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
changeup
Deliberately slow pitch
knuckleball · splitter · forkball · screwball · breaking ball · grip · arm angle · release point · rotation · movement
slower
Reduced in speed
- gear changeAltering transmission ratio
- letupReduction in intensity
disguise
Identity-concealing alteration
rollover
Vehicle flipping accident
- check swingArrested batting motion
- whiffBrief, faint smell
- chaseRapid following of quarry
fooled · lunging · out front · groundball · popup · foul tip · strikeout