Screwball

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.

Related Topics:
Baseball - Curveball - Pitcher - Batter

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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 a violent snap of the wrist as the ball is released. Very few Major League pitchers throw a screwball; many now throw a circle changeup that emulates the pitch's movement, however.

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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.

Related Topics:
Hall of Fame - Christy Mathewson - Carl Hubbell - Cy Young Award - Mike Cuellar - Fernando Valenzuela

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Jim Mecir, who retired from the Florida Marlins following the 2005 season, was one of the last major-leaguers to throw the screwball.

Related Topics:
Jim Mecir - Florida Marlins - 2005

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