outswinging

Outswinging refers to a type of pitch in baseball or softball thrown by a right-handed pitcher that breaks away from a right-handed batter or breaks towards a left-handed batter. Conversely, for a left-handed pitcher, an outswinger breaks away from a left-handed batter or towards a right-handed batter. This pitch typically moves horizontally in the opposite direction of the pitcher's throwing arm. The term "outswinger" emphasizes its tendency to move away from the batter's center, making it a challenging pitch to hit squarely.

The movement of an outswinger is achieved through specific grip and arm slot adjustments. Common pitches that can be thrown as outswingers include the slider and the curveball, depending on the pitcher's release point and spin. The goal of an outswinger is often to induce weak contact, a swing and a miss, or to catch the batter off guard. It is a valuable pitch in a pitcher's arsenal, particularly for set-up situations or when trying to expand the strike zone. Pitchers utilize outswingers to keep hitters off balance and to create favorable matchups.