What are the key differences between a slider and a curveball, and how can they be visually represented in a slider vs curveball diagram?

Answer 1

The key differences between a slider and a curveball are in their spin and movement. A slider has more side-to-side movement due to its lateral spin, while a curveball has more vertical drop due to its topspin.

In a slider vs curveball diagram, the slider would show a more horizontal trajectory with a sharper break to the side, while the curveball would show a more arcing path with a downward drop. The spin direction and axis of rotation can also be represented to visually differentiate between the two pitches.