off-speed pitch

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Definitions from WordNet

Noun off-speed pitch has 1 sense

change-up, change-of-pace, change-of-pace ball, off-speed pitch - a baseball thrown with little velocity when the batter is expecting a fastball
--₁ is a kind of pitch, delivery

Definitions from the Web

Off-Speed Pitch

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: An off-speed pitch is a slower and trickier pitch that is thrown by a pitcher to disrupt the timing and expectations of the batter.

Senses:

A pitch that is slower than the average velocity of the pitcher's fastballs.
A pitch that has a different movement or spin than expected by the batter.

Usages:

Baseball: In baseball, pitchers often use off-speed pitches, such as changeups, curveballs, or sliders, to deceive the batter and induce weaker contact or swing-and-miss.
Softball: Off-speed pitches are also commonly used in softball to keep the hitters off balance and increase the chances of getting a swing-and-miss or a less powerful hit.

Sample Sentences:

The pitcher threw an off-speed pitch that completely fooled the batter, resulting in a strikeout.
The batter was expecting a fastball, but the pitcher cleverly mixed in an off-speed pitch, causing the batter to swing early.
She has an exceptional ability to control her off-speed pitches, making it difficult for hitters to adjust.