Every kid who has played sandlot baseball has dreamed of being able to throw a “curveball” to baffle the batter. And in the big leagues, a good “curveball” has been considered a major weapon for a pitcher.
“Curveball” has even gotten into the general vernacular, meaning that someone has encountered something unexpected – and confusing.
But now we are told there is no such thing as a “real” curveball, that it’s somewhat an illusion!
The Associated Press quotes researchers Arthur Shapiro of American University and Zhong-Lin Lu of the University of Southern California. Shapiro said: “The curveball does curve, but the curve has been measured and shown to be gradual. It’s always going to follow a parabolic path. But from a hitter’s point of view, an approaching ball can appear to break, drop or do a whole range of unusual behaviors.”
Uh, how’s that?
You don’t think he’s throwing us a curveball, do you?