Screwball
From Free net encyclopedia
A screwball is a baseball pitch that is thrown so as to break in the opposite direction of a curveball. Thrown by a right-handed pitcher, a screwball breaks from left to right from the point of view of the pitcher. The pitch therefore moves in on a right-handed batter and away from a left-handed batter. Thrown by a left-handed pitcher, a screwball breaks from right to left, moving in on a left-handed batter and away from a right-handed batter.
The screwball has become increasingly rare because it involves an awkward arm motion that is both difficult to master and demanding on the arm, requiring as the ball is released a violent snap of the wrist while the hand is rotated as if turning a doorknob counter-clockwise. So violent and unnatural a movement, just emulating this pitch's elbow and wrist snaps will often cause discomfort or pain. Very few Major League pitchers throw a screwball, they often do not learn to throw the pitch until reaching the Major Leagues due to the incredible wear and stress it puts on the elbow. So, anybody can assume that Little leaguers do not throw this pitch.
Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson is credited with inventing the screwball, a pitch he called a "fadeaway." Carl Hubbell was known as the "scroogie king"; other notable screwball artists include Cy Young Award winners [[Mike Cuellar and Fernando Valenzuela, as well as 119 Game-Winner, Bill Lee, who finished his career with a 3.62 ERA, and reliever Mike Marshall.
Jim Mecir, who retired from the Florida Marlins following the 2005 season, was one of the last major-leaguers to throw the screwball. His screwball was a function not only of his arm motion, but also of an unorthodox delivery. He was born with two club feet; while childhood surgery enabled him to walk, he was left unable to properly push off the rubber with his right foot.
See also
Another Meaning
A screwball can also be an expression meaning an eccentric person. In animated cartoons, this is often referenced by a picture of a screw and a baseball (since a screwball is also a kind of baseball pitch).
External links
- Screwball article