Editing Slider (pitch)

{{short description|Baseball pitch}}
{{use mdy dates |date=May 2020}}
[[Image:Sliderillustration.png|thumb|150px|A common grip used to throw a slider]]
In [[baseball]], a '''slider''' is a type of [[breaking ball]], a pitch that moves or "breaks" as it approaches the batter. Due to the grip and wrist motion, the slider typically exhibits more lateral movement when compared to other breaking balls, such as the [[curveball]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slider (SL) {{!}} Glossary |url=https://www.mlb.com/glossary/pitch-types/slider |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>

The slider is generally among the fastest breaking balls, commonly ranging {{convert|80|to|90|mph|kph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baseball pitches illustrated {{!}} Lokesh Dhakar |url=https://lokeshdhakar.com/baseball-pitches-illustrated/ |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=lokeshdhakar.com}}</ref> A variation of the slider, known as the '''sweeper''', is characterized as being slightly slower, but having more lateral movement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sweeper (ST) {{!}} Glossary |url=https://www.mlb.com/glossary/pitch-types/sweeper |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> Pitches that exhibit qualities similar to that of both a slider and a curveball are referred to as a [[slurve]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slurve (SV) {{!}} Glossary |url=https://www.mlb.com/glossary/pitch-types/slurve |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Grip and action ==
The grip for a slider is characterized as being similar to that of a fastball.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slider 101: Everything You Need to Know to Master the Pitch |url=https://pitchlogic.com/blogs/slider-101-everything-you-need-to-know-to-master-the-pitch |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=pitchlogic.com |language=en}}</ref> Like all pitches, the grip can take many different forms, with slight variations between pitchers suiting their individual preferences. A common feature in most slider grips is the index and middle finger being in close proximity to each other.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://help.drivelinebaseball.com/portal/en/kb/articles/pitch-grips-sliders |title=Pitch Grips: Sliders |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=Driveline Baseball}}</ref>

The associated wrist motion often contributes a large amount to the pitch's movement, and is characterized by a more [[Supinator muscle|supine]] positioning upon release. Like many other breaking balls, this motion can cause significant strain on the arm, and thus is not recommended for players under the age of 13.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MLB {{!}} Pitch Smart {{!}} Pitching Guidelines {{!}} Ages 9-12 |url=https://www.mlb.com/pitch-smart/pitching-guidelines/ages-9-12 |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Effects ==
The slider will typically move laterally towards the pitcher's glove-side. For example, when thrown by a right-handed pitcher, from the pitcher's perspective, the pitch will "slide" from the right (the ''arm-side'') to the left (the ''glove-side''). When thrown by a left-handed pitcher, the pitch breaks in the opposite direction, moving from the left to the right. 

==Notable slider pitchers==
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2023}}
Many famous pitchers have been known for their slider. Hall of Fame pitcher [[Randy Johnson]] was well-known for his unusually fast slider, which he nicknamed "Mr. Snappy".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-06-03 |title=Crasnick: Starting 9 -- Memorable moments in Big Unit's career |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&page=starting9/090603 |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Other Hall of Fame pitchers renowned for their excellent slider include [[Steve Carlton]], [[Dennis Eckersley]], [[Bob Gibson]], and [[John Smoltz]].

Other pitchers with notable sliders have included:

{{Div col|colwidth=15 em|content=* [[Matt Brash (baseball)|Matt Brash]]
* [[Dylan Cease]]
* [[Gerrit Cole]]
* [[Jacob deGrom]]
* [[Zack Greinke]]
* [[Clayton Kershaw]]
* [[Sparky Lyle]]
* [[Shohei Ohtani]]
* [[Chris Sale]]
* [[CC Sabathia]]
* [[Max Scherzer]]
* [[Spencer Strider]]
* [[Justin Verlander]]}}

==History==
The innovator of the slider is debated, but some credit [[Chief Bender|Charles Albert "Chief" Bender]] as the first to use the pitch.<ref name=Griffin/> Other players claimed to be the inventor include [[George Blaeholder]] and [[George Uhle]].<ref name=Griffin>{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=John |date=2022-08-23 |title=The New Breaking Ball on the Block: The early history of the slider |url=https://www.pinstripealley.com/2022/8/23/23316636/mlb-slider-history-charles-bender-george-blaeholder-george-uhle |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=Pinstripe Alley |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Commons category|Sliders (pitch)}}
{{Portal|Baseball}}
{{reflist}}

{{Baseball pitches|state=expanded}}
{{Baseball}}

[[Category:Baseball pitches]]