knuckleball

or knuck·le ball

[ nuhk-uhl-bawl ]

noun

, Baseball.

1. a junk pitch that moves erratically toward home plate, usually delivered by holding the ball between the thumb and the knuckles of the first joints of the first two or three fingers:

   Trying to hit his knuckleball was like swatting at a fly with a straw.

Word History and Origins

Origin of knuckleball¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

He would strike 'knuckleballs', where rather than the ball spiralling through the air cleanly, it would wobble erratically.

From BBC

Boston is wearing heart-shaped No. 49 patches in honor of the knuckleball pitcher this season.

From Seattle Times

Though when he saw George Kirby unleash a nasty knuckleball in the last game of the season, Gilbert was more than amused.

From Seattle Times

Kirby had talked back in spring training of having a knuckleball in his pitch mix, but never threw it until the first pitch to Corey Seager leading off the fourth inning.

From Washington Times

All season, Kirby has hinted that he might break out his knuckleball one time when no one expected it.

From Seattle Times