Slider
From SoSH
Contents |
Overview
The slider is a type of breaking ball, usually thrown faster than a curveball but slower than a fastball. The pitch typically breaks across the plate. Sliders are typically very effective against same-handed hitters. Much like the screwball, throwing a slider is very stressful on a pitcher's arm due to the particular arm motion required to throw the pitch.
Grip
The slider is gripped by placing the fingers over the seams at almost widest point. The fingers are generally placed just off the center of the ball to aid the ball's spin. The pitch's spin is created mostly by turning the fingers away from the body at the release point.
- Images courtesy of eHow.com
Action
Whereas a curveball typically breaks more in the vertical direction, the slider typically breaks horizontally, across the plate. For example, a left-handed pitcher's slider breaks down and away from left-handed hitters, and down and in on right-handed hitters and vice versa for right-handed pitchers.
