A slider pitch is a breaking ball pitch in baseball that tails laterally and down through the batters hitting zone). It is thrown at a speed that is lower than a fastball, but higher than the pitchers curveball). The slider is meant to be slightly more deceptive than a curveball because it is thrown harder and has spin that more closely resembles a fastball, although it doesnt create as much overall movement as a curveball. The slider is released off the index finger, while the curveball is released off the middle finger). When throwing a slider, it is important not to come "around" the baseball, as this puts extra tension on the pitching arm). The slider is a pitch that is easier to throw than a curveball because it is thrown like a fastball, which eliminates the mindset that the pitcher has to place the pitch.