Re: Whatever became of the \"Screwball\"?
On top of all of the above, two things have effectively replaced the screwball: the cut fastball and the lefty specialist.
The cutter rides in on the opposite-handed batter much like a curveball, which makes a change up look like a screwball -- it looks like it is going to cut in, but doesn't.
The lefty specialist also makes it unnecessary for a righty relief pitcher to get out lefty hitters.
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