spitball
Quick Summary
A "spitball" in baseball is a pitch delivered after the ball has been moistened with saliva or sweat. This technique, used to make the ball drop sharply at the plate, was outlawed in 1920. However, pitchers who were using it at the time were allowed to continue until they retired.12
The term "spitball" also refers to a paper ball rolled into a ball to be thrown as a missile, and figuratively, to suggest ideas, especially those that are jocular, improbable, or impractical.13
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baseballRecords and statisticsā¦the increased use of the spitball (in which moisture is applied to the surface of a ball to affect its flight), the appearance of a cadre of bigger and stronger pitchers, and conservative managerial styles (called āscientificā or āinsideā baseball) all contributed to a sharp fall in total runs andā¦
Read Moreā¦the increased use of the spitball (in which moisture is applied to the surface of a ball to affect its flight), the appearance of a cadre of bigger and stronger pitchers, and conservative managerial styles (called āscientificā or āinsideā baseball) all contributed to a sharp fall in total runs andā¦
Read More- baseballThe pitching repertoire
ā¦throw what was called a spitball. Simple saliva, saliva produced by chewing tobacco or sucking on slippery elm, or sweat was applied to the ball. The ball thus treated dropped sharply at the plate. The pitch was outlawed in 1920, though pitchers then using it were allowed the pitch untilā¦
Read Moreā¦throw what was called a spitball. Simple saliva, saliva produced by chewing tobacco or sucking on slippery elm, or sweat was applied to the ball. The ball thus treated dropped sharply at the plate. The pitch was outlawed in 1920, though pitchers then using it were allowed the pitch untilā¦
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