What is the gyproball?

Question

When you answer this question,

can you tell me that which MLB pitchers are usually the gyproball.

Answer 1

There are LOTS of pitchers who throw the pitch because it really isn't unique - just renamed!

Check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroball

The term is nothing more than a new name for an old pitch, just like Satchel Paige used to name his pitches the "shineball", the "dark one", etc. The gyroball is nothing more than a term that has been coined for a pitch already in existence - the slider.

Basically, the pitch rotates like a thrown football - just like a slider. If one looks head on at a good slider or gyroball, they can see the rotation of the ball on its axis - a spiral - nothing more or less.

I didn't know it, but I have thrown a "gyroball" for years! It moves slightly downward and to the side in a manner not quite as extreme as a mediocre curveball and is usually a little quicker, so makes it more difficult to hit that a straight fastball.

Let's face it: By renaming the pitch, it certainly got our attention over here, didn't it? Whenever a pitcher can get into a hitter's head, he has an advantage, because curiosity can - and will - take the focus of the hitter's concentration because he is wondering what all the fuss is about.

Good job, Daisuke! You got us wondering!

Answer 2

It's not certain anyone in MLB uses it; certainly Matsuzaka does not. Most likely Hideki Okajima is.

What it is:
1) not a myth; it's a real pitch
2) a really crappy change-up. Not even kidding.

For someone like you or me or Molly McGee, the gyroball would probably be the easiest pitch to hit in a pitcher's arsenal. Unless you happen to be a very accomplished hitter. Basically, the rotation on a gyroball gives it all the complex movement of a 4-seam fastball, only without all the fastness. Like I said before though, it's not enough off the heater to make a good changeup... What it is good for is deception. The rotation on the gyroball makes it look like a slider to the batter. The difference is that this pitch doesn't drop. When you watch video of pitchers using the gyroball in Japan, you often see batters swing under the pitch as they attempt to correct for a slider's break. If they realized what pitch was coming, they could probably hit it pretty hard. Again, it relies on deception.

The swinging under problem should undermine all the people that tell you it's something like a massive curveball - it's not. You ever see a gyroscope? The point is that it's stable and tends to remain on a level plain. Same type of rotation, same basic theory - it doesn't like to drop. In order to fool anyone, you have to have a good slider, too. If you don't, don't bother.

Answer 3

the gyroball IS a real pitch which originated in Japan and was created by a physisist and a pitching coach. the gyroball is a pitch where, instead of having back spin like a fastball or frontspin like a breaking pitch, it spins like a bullet so it has no movement. the pitch is a great pitch to fooling batters because most would think it is a curve ball and compensate for the pitch but then by the time they realize it isn't a curveball it has already passed them. Dice-K Matsuzaka throws a gyroball but there are also some pitchers that accidentally throw this pitch like Jeff Weaver because sometimes his slider gets this kind of rotation and doesn't break and acutally gets the illusion of the ball rising.

Answer 4

It's a pitch that comes to the plate, sells the batter a hot dog, and charges $8.50 for it, without mustard or relish. A total gyp.

The gyroball is a myth, or at least as close to one as possible.

Answer 5

Thought to be thrown by Dice-K, the gyroball was believed to be similar to a slider on steroids. It was proven to be a myth, though.

Answer 6

A myth. Hey! Let's call up the MythBusters!

Answer 7

Its a pitch they made up in Japan. It was supposed to be unhittable. but i dont think anyone actually throws it.

Answer 8

The gyroball is a myth.

Answer 9

Dice-K uses the gyroball,if that's what you mean.

Answer 10

its a pitch that Dice K uses that he claims he doesnt.