Roundhouse curveball

The roundhouse curveball in baseball is a fascinating pitch, distinguished by its unique sweeping motion. It’s a ball thrown from a three-quarter overhand position, with the pitcher’s arm slightly inclined rather than completely vertical. The trajectory of this pitch is intriguing, showing a downward movement, either away from a hitter who shares the same handedness as the pitcher or towards a batter who has the opposite handedness1.

The roundhouse curveball, also known as an 11 to 5 curve, is a crucial tool in a pitcher’s arsenal. It represents the ball’s trajectory from the pitcher’s viewpoint, like the clock hands progressing from 11 to 5. The pitch’s large, looping trajectory poses a challenge for batters to hit it successfully. In Major League Baseball (MLB), this pitch is a strategic weapon used by pitchers to outsmart batters. When executed skillfully, it can lead to strikeouts or weak contact from the batter.