Slider (pitch)

A common grip used to throw a slider

In baseball, a slider is a type of breaking ball, a pitch that moves or "breaks" as it approaches the batter. Due to the grip and wrist motion, the slider typically exhibits more lateral movement when compared to other breaking balls, such as the curveball.[1]

The slider is generally among the fastest breaking balls, commonly ranging 80 to 90 mph (130 to 140 km/h).[2] A variation of the slider, known as the sweeper, is characterized as being slightly slower, but having more lateral movement.[3] Pitches that exhibit qualities similar to that of both a slider and a curveball are referred to as a slurve.[4]

  1. ^ "Slider (SL) | Glossary". MLB.com. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Baseball pitches illustrated | Lokesh Dhakar". lokeshdhakar.com. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "Sweeper (ST) | Glossary". MLB.com. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  4. ^ "Slurve (SV) | Glossary". MLB.com. Retrieved May 21, 2024.