slurve

American  

[slurv] / slɜrv /

noun

Baseball.

1. a pitch similar to a slider in delivery but with more curve to the ball’s path.

   He throws a hard slurve, which has resulted in a lot of swinging strikeouts.

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Etymology

Origin of slurve

First recorded in 1975–80; blend of slider ( def. ) and curve ( def. )

Example Sentences

The only base hit off Berrios’ slurve was France’s broken-bat single in the seventh inning that ended his outing.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2024

Berrios threw his slurve 39 times, more than any other pitch.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2024

He got whiffs with his slurve and cutter, finishing two-strike at-bats that had dragged on in recent outings.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2023

He now confidently complements the signature pitch with a two-seam fastball and a slider bordering on a slurve.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2021

Her slider and curveball combination — her slurve — is a killer.

From New York Times • Jan. 27, 2020