Knuckleball

When a baseball pitcher throws a baseball it usually spins. The pitcher throws it fast.

Sometimes he will hold the ball a special way so that it does not spin. The pitcher throws the ball more slowly. The ball may look like it is "dancing" in the air on the way to the batter. The batter may not be able to hit it! This is a knuckleball.

When a pitcher throws a "knuckleball" the air pushes against the ball and stitches. The stitches are on the outside of the ball. The stitches change the way the ball flies through the air. The ball turns back and forth. The batter thinks the ball is "dancing" in the air!

Spitball and Vaseline Ball

A knuckleball is hard to learn. One dirty trick is to put spit or vaseline on the baseball. The shiny ball tricks the batter's eyes.

If the pitcher spits on his fingers first, it is easier to throw the ball without spinning it. Pitchers also sometimes scuff the surface of the ball or make it smoother to make it harder to hit.

The ball can be thrown very hard. The ball moves very fast. It does not spin. It is very hard to hit. Strike!