spitball

Spitball is a type of baseball pitch in which the pitcher throws the ball without using a conventional grip. Instead of gripping the ball with the fingers, the pitcher places the ball between the thumb and the fingers, allowing the ball to spin erratically as it travels through the air. This technique was popularized by former Major League Baseball pitcher Steve Carlton in the 1970s and 1980s. The spitball is known for its unpredictable movement, making it difficult for batters to hit. The pitch is often described as having a "spit" or "spitball" sound as it passes through the air, hence its name. Despite its effectiveness, the spitball has largely fallen out of favor in modern baseball due to advances in pitching techniques and the rules against using foreign substances on the ball.