Shuuto
Encyclopedia
The or shootball is a pitch
commonly thrown by such right-handed Japanese pitchers such as Noboru Akiyama
, Kenjiro Kawasaki, Daisuke Matsuzaka
, and Masumi Kuwata
. The most renowned shuuto pitcher in history was Masaji Hiramatsu whose famous pitch was dubbed the razor
shuuto because it seemed to "cut the air" when thrown.
The pitch is mainly designed to break down and in on right-handed batters, so as to prevent them from making solid contact with the ball. It can also be thrown to left-handers to keep them off balance. Good shuuto pitchers often break the bats of right-handed hitters because they usually get jammed when trying to swing at this pitch. It could be said that the shuuto has a somewhat similar break and purpose as the screwball
for a left-handed pitcher, even though the latter is also meant to be primarily thrown at right-handed batters. If the shuuto pitch was thrown off the outside part of the plate, it would tail back over the outside border of the strike zone
. Conversely, if it was thrown on the inside part of the plate, it would move even further inside.
The shuuto is often described in English
as a "reverse slider
", but this is not strictly the case, as the shuuto generally has more velocity and less break than a slider. The two-seam fastball
, the sinker
, or the screwball
in differing degrees, will move down and in towards a right-handed batter when thrown, or in the opposite manner of a curveball and a slider.
The shuuto is often confused with the gyroball
, perhaps because of a well-known article by Will Carroll
that erroneously equated the two pitches. Although Carroll later corrected himself, the confusion persists.
The shuuto is mentioned often in the movie Mr. Baseball
. This is the type of pitch that Tom Selleck
's character is continually unable to hit, even though he is a left hand batter. The shuuto is described as "the great equalizer".
Pitch (baseball)
In baseball, a pitch is the act of throwing a baseball toward home plate to start a play. The term comes from the Knickerbocker Rules. Originally, the ball had to be literally "pitched" underhand, as with pitching horseshoes. Overhand throwing was not allowed until 1884.The biomechanics of...
commonly thrown by such right-handed Japanese pitchers such as Noboru Akiyama
Noboru Akiyama
was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball pitcher, originally from Okayama, Okayama. He played with the Taiyo Whales. He is a member of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.-External links:...
, Kenjiro Kawasaki, Daisuke Matsuzaka
Daisuke Matsuzaka
is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball in the United States. He previously played for the Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League. He was selected the MVP of the inaugural and the second World Baseball Classic, and is an Olympic bronze...
, and Masumi Kuwata
Masumi Kuwata
Masumi Kuwata is a former Japanese right-handed pitcher. He was formerly with the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League. He pitched 21 seasons with the Giants, beginning in 1986. In December 2006 Masumi signed a minor league deal with the Pirates...
. The most renowned shuuto pitcher in history was Masaji Hiramatsu whose famous pitch was dubbed the razor
Razor
A razor is a bladed tool primarily used in the removal of unwanted body hair through the act of shaving. Kinds of razors include straight razors, disposable razors and electric razors....
shuuto because it seemed to "cut the air" when thrown.
The pitch is mainly designed to break down and in on right-handed batters, so as to prevent them from making solid contact with the ball. It can also be thrown to left-handers to keep them off balance. Good shuuto pitchers often break the bats of right-handed hitters because they usually get jammed when trying to swing at this pitch. It could be said that the shuuto has a somewhat similar break and purpose as the screwball
Screwball
A screwball , is a baseball pitch that is thrown so as to break in the opposite direction of a slider or curveball. Depending on the pitcher's arm angle, the ball may also have a sinking action....
for a left-handed pitcher, even though the latter is also meant to be primarily thrown at right-handed batters. If the shuuto pitch was thrown off the outside part of the plate, it would tail back over the outside border of the strike zone
Strike zone
In baseball, the strike zone is a conceptual right pentagonal prism over home plate which defines the boundaries through which a pitch must pass in order to count as a strike when the batter does not swing.-Definition:...
. Conversely, if it was thrown on the inside part of the plate, it would move even further inside.
The shuuto is often described in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as a "reverse slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
", but this is not strictly the case, as the shuuto generally has more velocity and less break than a slider. The two-seam fastball
Two-seam fastball
A two-seam fastball is a pitch in baseball and a variant of the straight fastball. The pitch has the speed of a fastball, but the general movement of a screwball...
, the sinker
Sinker (baseball)
In baseball, a sinker , is a type of fastball pitch which has significant downward and horizontal movement. The sinker is known for inducing a lot of ground balls...
, or the screwball
Screwball
A screwball , is a baseball pitch that is thrown so as to break in the opposite direction of a slider or curveball. Depending on the pitcher's arm angle, the ball may also have a sinking action....
in differing degrees, will move down and in towards a right-handed batter when thrown, or in the opposite manner of a curveball and a slider.
The shuuto is often confused with the gyroball
Gyroball
A gyroball is a type of baseball pitch used primarily by players in Japan.-Overview:The gyroball pitch was first identified by the Japanese scientist Ryutaro Himeno , and later developed into a specific throwing technique by baseball instructor Gitau Kimani , who used computer simulations to create...
, perhaps because of a well-known article by Will Carroll
Will Carroll
Will Carroll is a sportswriter specializing in the coverage of medical issues, including injuries and performance-enhancing drugs. He currently writes about sports injuries for SI.com...
that erroneously equated the two pitches. Although Carroll later corrected himself, the confusion persists.
The shuuto is mentioned often in the movie Mr. Baseball
Mr. Baseball
Mr. Baseball is a 1992 American film that starred Tom Selleck and was directed by Fred Schepisi.-Plot:Jack Elliot is an aging American baseball player put on the trading block by the New York Yankees in favor of a rookie first-baseman , and there's only one taker: the Nagoya Chunichi Dragons of...
. This is the type of pitch that Tom Selleck
Tom Selleck
Thomas William "Tom" Selleck is an American actor, and film producer. He is best known for his starring role as Hawaii-based private investigator Thomas Magnum on the 1980s television show Magnum, P.I.. He also plays Police Chief Jesse Stone in a series of made-for-TV movies based on the Robert B....
's character is continually unable to hit, even though he is a left hand batter. The shuuto is described as "the great equalizer".