In baseball, a knuckleball is a pitch thrown with minimal spin, causing it to flutter erratically on its way to the batter. Knuckleballs are notoriously difficult to hit, and as a result, pitchers who can throw them effectively are highly sought after.
There are many factors that contribute to the effectiveness of a knuckleball, but the most important is the pitcher’s ability to control the ball’s release point. The ideal release point for a knuckleball is high and to the side, which allows the ball to drop and flutter as it travels towards the plate. Pitchers who can consistently release the ball from this release point are able to generate a great deal of movement on the ball, making it very difficult for batters to hit.