What is a Slurve in Baseball: Exploring the Hybrid Pitch

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A slurve in baseball is a unique type of pitch that combines the characteristics of both a slider and a curveball, hence the name “slurve” which is a portmanteau of the two pitch names.

This pitch is thrown with the grip of a curveball but has a velocity similar to a slider, making it a versatile and deceptive pitch for batters to face.

The slurve has been around since the 1940s, with Johnny Sain from the Boston Braves credited for using it during that time period.

Pitchers use the slurve to their advantage by changing speeds and locations, aiming to retire hitters and keep them guessing on what pitch is coming next.

In essence, the slurve pitch holds a unique place in the diverse array of pitches that baseball players can throw to bewilder their opponents and achieve success on the field.

The Slurve: Breaking Down the Pitch

Hybrid Pitch Characteristics

A slurve is a specific type of baseball pitch that combines the characteristics of a slider and a curveball. It is gripped like a curveball but thrown with the velocity of a slider, making it a unique hybrid pitch.

This combination of elements can make the slurve difficult for batters to predict and handle, especially if they are expecting a more traditional curveball or slider. However, it is important for pitchers to practice and perfect their slurve technique to achieve the desired results.

Movement and Velocity

Similar to a curveball, the slurve has a distinct break, but with the added speed of a slider. This unique movement results in a pitch that falls between the two in terms of velocity and break.

The slurve may not have the sharpest break of a curveball, nor the fastest speed of a slider, but it provides an effective alternative for pitchers.

As with any pitch, the effectiveness of the slurve relies on the pitcher’s ability to change speeds and locations. By mixing up their pitch selection and keeping the batter off-balance, pitchers can use the slurve to their advantage.

Here are a few key points about the slurve:

  • Combines elements of a slider and curveball.
  • Gripped like a curveball but thrown with slider velocity.
  • Provides an intermediate break and speed between a slider and curveball.

History of the Slurve

Origin and Evolution

The slurve is a baseball pitch that combines elements of both the curveball and the slider, thus giving it its name—a combination of “slider” and “curveball.

This type of pitch is gripped like a curveball but possesses the velocity of a slider1. Although the exact origin of the slurve remains uncertain, it has been suggested that the pitch dates back to the 1890s and was linked to the legendary Cy Young4.

Over time, the slurve underwent various modifications as pitchers experimented with different grips and techniques. Despite its historical significance and continued use, the slurve has courted some controversy, with critics labeling it a “sloppy” pitch due to its broad breaking pattern3.

Notable Pitchers

Johnny Sain of the Boston Braves is often mentioned as one of the first Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers to have thrown a slurve.

Sain, whose career included 139 wins and 116 losses with a 3.49 ERA, is recorded to have pitched a slurve in the 1940s.

Another prominent player connected to the slurve is Hall of Fame pitcher Goose Gossage.

Gossage credits learning to throw the slurve as a turning point in his career, leading him down a more successful path.

While some coaches and commentators discourage the use of the slurve, other notable pitchers have incorporated it into their repertoire as a unique and deceptive pitch, confounding hitters and keeping them off balance.

Grip and Mechanics

Holding the Baseball

To grip a slurve, place your middle finger on the right seam or just outside it, keeping your index finger touching your middle finger.

If one seam stands higher on the ball than the other, grip that one with your middle finger.

Release and Arm Motion

The slurve is thrown like a curveball, but with the velocity of a slider.

To achieve this, hold the baseball as if you were throwing a curveball and aim for a release point that mimics that of a slider pitch.

As the slurve is a combination of a curveball and a slider, it is important to maintain a consistent arm motion throughout the pitch.

This will ensure that the desired movement and velocity are achieved, making it difficult for batters to hit the ball.

Effective Use and Strategy

The slurve, a combination of a slider and a curveball, can be a valuable weapon in a pitcher’s arsenal, especially when used effectively and strategically. This section will discuss the situational pitching and disruption of hitters’ timing associated with the slurve.

Situational Pitching

As a hybrid between a slider and a curveball, the slurve is faster than a curveball and has a more pronounced break than a slider, making it an effective pitch in certain situations.

Pitchers can use the slurve when they want to keep the hitter off-balance by mixing speeds and movement between their fastball and breaking ball selections.

The slurve is particularly useful when thrown in a fastball count, as it can disrupt the hitter’s timing.

Disrupting Hitters’ Timing

A key component of successful pitching is the ability to disrupt the timing of the batter.

The slurve, with its unique combination of velocity and movement, can be an effective tool for achieving this goal.

By throwing the slurve with a curveball grip but at a slider velocity, pitchers can deceive batters who may be expecting either a traditional curveball or a slider, thus causing them to be off-balance and increasing the likelihood of a swing and miss or weak contact.

When used strategically and thrown with proper mechanics, the slurve can be a difficult pitch for hitters to anticipate and make solid contact with.

By incorporating the slurve as part of a diverse pitch repertoire, pitchers can keep hitters on their toes and maintain a competitive edge on the mound.