off my fastball

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "off my fastball" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a sports context, particularly in baseball, to refer to a pitcher's ability to throw a fastball effectively or to indicate a decline in performance. Example: "Lately, I feel like I'm just not throwing as well as I used to; my fastball is really off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I pitch off my fastball".

The New York Times

Pitching off my fastball, everything comes off of that".

The New York Times - Sports

"Attack hard in, be aggressive in the strike zone and pitch off my fastball".

The New York Times

"I've stressed this — everything I throw is off my fastball: my changeup, my cutter, my two-seamer.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I'll tend not to overthrow as much, use my off-speed pitches and locate my fastball.

The New York Times - Sports

It was just one inning when everything went crazy and my fastball just went off and I wasn't able to command it.

The New York Times - Sports

Whether my fastball's up to speed or not yet, you can work with two off-speed pitches and mix the fastball in.

The New York Times - Sports

Nunez fouled off a fastball straight back, before striking out.

The New York Times - Sports

"He uses his curveball to get you off his fastball.

The New York Times - Sports

He then fouled off six fastballs and cutters before Lee took a little off a fastball, and Swisher missed it.

The New York Times - Sports

After Martínez jumped ahead, 1-2, Sojo fouled off a fastball.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "off my fastball", ensure the context clearly relates to baseball or pitching performance. It implies a deviation from the usual effectiveness of the pitch.

Common error

Avoid using "off my fastball" in contexts unrelated to sports, specifically baseball pitching. The phrase is highly specialized and can sound awkward or nonsensical otherwise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off my fastball" functions as a modifier describing a state of reduced effectiveness related to a pitcher's fastball. It's used to explain performance issues in baseball, as evidenced by examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "off my fastball" is a specialized term primarily used in baseball contexts to describe a pitcher's ineffective fastball. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in sports reporting. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to use this phrase only when discussing baseball or pitching performance. If the context is different, broader terms like "off my game" or "not at my best" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

losing velocity on my fastball

Focuses specifically on a decrease in speed, a key aspect of fastball effectiveness.

not locating my fastball well

Highlights issues with pitch placement, affecting overall command.

my fastball isn't effective

Emphasizes the reduced impact of the fastball, irrespective of the cause.

struggling with my fastball

Indicates a general difficulty in throwing and controlling the fastball.

my fastball is not sharp

Suggests a lack of crispness or movement in the pitch.

my fastball is hittable

Highlights that batters are finding the fastball easy to hit.

pitching without my best stuff

Refers to not having the usual quality pitches, often including the fastball.

my command is poor

Addresses a broader issue of control over all pitches, including the fastball.

not having my best game

Indicates a general subpar performance, which may include fastball issues.

my pitches are flat

Refers to pitches, including the fastball, lacking movement.

FAQs

How can I use "off my fastball" in a sentence?

You can use "off my fastball" to describe a pitcher's struggle with their fastball, as in, "The pitcher admitted he was "off my fastball" today, resulting in several earned runs".

What does it mean when a pitcher says they are "off my fastball"?

When a pitcher says they are "off my fastball", it typically means that their fastball is not performing as well as it usually does. This could be due to a lack of velocity, poor control, or other factors affecting the pitch's effectiveness.

What can I say instead of "off my fastball"?

Depending on the specific issue, you could use alternatives like "losing velocity", "not locating well", or "struggling with control" to describe a pitcher's difficulties.

Is "off my game" similar to "off my fastball"?

"Off my game" is a more general term for not performing well in any activity, while "off my fastball" is specific to a baseball pitcher's fastball performance. While related in the sense of describing subpar performance, they aren't interchangeable in all contexts.