Why Do Pitchers Throw Backdoor Breaking Balls?
The most surprising strike is often the one that looks like a ball.
Pitchers throw backdoor breaking balls because the pitch initially appears outside the strike zone before curving back over the plate. That movement can freeze hitters and produce called strikes.
A backdoor breaking ball starts off the plate and moves toward the edge of the strike zone late in its flight. Hitters often assume the pitch will remain outside and choose not to swing.
The pitch is especially effective against opposite-handed hitters because the ball travels across their field of vision before returning to the zone.
Success depends heavily on command. If the pitch breaks too little, it remains a ball. If it breaks too much, it can move into a hitter's power zone.
Pitchers frequently use backdoor sliders and curveballs to steal early-count strikes, forcing hitters to respect a larger portion of the plate during future pitches.
