What does meatball mean in softball?

A “meatball” is a type of pitch that is never thrown purposefully. The speed of the pitch doesn't matter, only that it is thrown right down the middle of the plate or is an easy pitch to hit. Meat.

What is meatball in softball?

There's only a limited understanding of what a meatball is. One general definition: “an easy pitch to hit, thrown right down the middle of the plate.” Major League Baseball's official lingo agrees.

What does meatball mean slang?

slang. an awkward, clumsy, or ineffectual person. [1830–40; meat + ball1]

What is a meatball swing?

A full 8% of the pitches thrown to him are classified as “meatballs” on Baseball Savant, meaning they're right down the middle of the zone. On those pitches, Joc is swinging at a full 87% of them, also a career-high.

Why do pitchers throw meatballs?

A term for an easy pitch to hit; often thrown down the middle of the strike zone because the pitcher is tired or needs to throw a strike; sometimes appears as "meatball served on a plate" to refer to the pitcher throwing an easy-to-hit pitch down the middle of home plate.

The Speed Needed In Softball | Sport Science | ESPN Archives

What is the weirdest pitch in baseball?

An eephus pitch (also spelled ephus) in baseball is a very high-arcing off-speed pitch. The delivery from the pitcher has very low velocity and often catches the hitter off-guard. The eephus pitch is thrown overhand like most pitches, but is characterized by an unusual, high-arcing trajectory.

Why do pitchers cover their mouths with their gloves?

If you have anything you want to keep in that circle, you've got to cover your mouth." When players bury their face in a glove while they talk -- which is the rule, not the exception -- they ensure that what's said on pitcher's mound, stays on pitcher's mound.

What do you call an easy pitch to hit?

Meatball: An easy pitch to hit, usually right down the middle of the plate.

Who has the smoothest swing in the MLB?

Ken Griffey Jr.'s sweet swing

Williams is considered by many to be "the best hitter that ever lived." And while the author of "The Science of Hitting" was all about mechanics, to the outsider his swing was more art than anything else. He remains the last AL/NL player to hit .

What is a butcher boy swing?

Definition. A "butcher boy" is a batter who squares around to bunt, only to pull the bat back and make a short, downward swing.

What does meatball mean in Jersey Shore?

Meatball. "Meatball" was a way of describing a woman who was short, bulky and loved to party. Basically, it was a way to describe people like Snooki or at least that's how Sammi did.

What does Greazy mean in slang?

(slang) shady, sketchy, dodgy, detestable, unethical.

Who do they call meatball?

A stupid, awkward, or boring person.

What is the 2 hardest position in softball?

It's hard to say exactly which position is hardest, but pitching and being a shortstop are some of the most difficult positions in softball. Pitching controls the whole game, basically. It's one of the most high pressure and important offensive positions in softball.

What is the hardest position in softball?

The shortstop has many responsibilities, including catching and fielding, and are very versatile and agile players. This is perhaps the most difficult position on the field. The remaining base is reserved for the third baseman.

What does Taco mean in softball?

An oppo taco is a home run that is hit to the opposite side of the field from where the batter is standing.

Who has the weirdest batting stance?

Kevin Youkilis, known as "The Greek God of Walks" in Moneyball, easily possesses the game's strangest stance of the last 20 years. Youk's feet are slightly closer than shoulder-width, with his knees bent slightly. For Youkilis, the bizarre happens in how he holds his bat.

Who is the most respected baseball player?

Who has the coolest batting stance?

What is the rarest pitch?

Definition. A screwball is a breaking ball designed to move in the opposite direction of just about every other breaking pitch. It is one of the rarest pitches thrown in baseball, mostly because of the tax it can put on a pitcher's arm.

What are some illegal pitches?

An illegal pitch may be quick pitch (i.e. a pitch made before the batter is properly set in the batter's box), a pitch made while the pitcher is not in contact with the pitching rubber, or one in which he takes an extra step while making his delivery.

What is an illegal pitch called?

The five most common called illegal pitches in softball are crow hopping, re-planting, stepping outside the pitching lane, a pitcher's back toe losing contact with the rubber, and for the younger pitcher's failure to present hands apart when stepping onto the rubber.

Why can't pitchers wear sunglasses?

Since the umpire and batter need to be able to see a pitcher's eyes, a pitcher wearing sunglasses is up to the umpire. If the lenses are too dark, or the mirror coating is distracting to the batter, the umpire will ask the pitcher to remove their sunglasses.

Why can't pitchers wear white sleeves?

except, per MLB rules, pitchers aren't allowed to have any white on their sleeves while on the mound -- it would make it too difficult for batters to pick up the ball. Butler was perfectly aware of the rule, and was ready for the impromptu tailoring.

Why do pitchers put Vaseline on the ball?

By lubricating the ball—with saliva, Vaseline, hair grease, or something else—the pitcher can throw a pitch that slides off his fingers without generating too much backspin. A greased-up pitch behaves kind of like a split-fingered fastball—it drops to the ground faster than a typical pitch.