Brushback
A pitch that almost hits the hitter
Example
did you see that brushback pitch in the ninth last night?
yeah, it was wild! almost took the batter's head off!
A brushback in baseball
Related Slang
| Chin music | Pitch that nearly hits the batter's head |
| HBP | Hit by pitch |
| Heater | Fastball |
| Jam | To pitch near a batter's hands |
| P | Pitcher |
| Ace | Best starting pitcher |
| E1 | Error made by the pitcher |
| RP | Relief pitcher |
| SP | Starting pitcher |
| Southpaw | Left-handed pitcher |
Baseball Slang Quiz: Can you bat 1.000?
Brushback is a baseball term for a pitch intentionally thrown close to the batter, often as a strategic move. Pitchers use this tactic to intimidate the hitter or to encourage them to step back from the plate, reducing the hitter's advantage and breaking their concentration. While a brushback can sometimes appear aggressive, it doesn't aim to hit the batter; rather, it's a psychological tool in a pitcher's arsenal.
The brushback pitch serves as a reminder of the pitcher's presence and dominance on the mound, but the tactic can lead to heightened tensions, even prompting batters to charge the mound to confront the pitcher. Whether used to shake up a confident batter or disrupt the rhythm of an encroaching hitter, a well-timed brushback pitch demonstrates a pitcher's strategic mindset.