AdvancedPitching · Tracking
IVB
Induced Vertical Break
The up-and-down movement a pitch gets from its spin alone, with gravity taken out. Measured in inches.
16 inMLB four-seamer average about ches
Simple explanation
No fastball truly rises. A "rising fastball" carries so much backspin that it sinks less than a normal pitch would.
IVB is the size of that missing drop. The more IVB a four-seamer has, the higher it crosses the plate compared with where the hitter expects it, and from the batter's box the ball seems to jump. On a four-seamer, anything over 18 inches is strong ride.
Benchmarks
- 13 in
- Less ride
- 18 in
- Strong ride
- 20 in
- Elite ride
For four-seam fastballs. Sinkers and two-seamers work the other way: the less IVB, the better they do their job.
Detailed explanation
Take the actual path the tracking system measured, subtract the drop due to gravity, and what's left is IVB. Vertical Break, the total drop with gravity left in, is a different stat, so a movement figure without a label could be either one.
Spin rate doesn't decide it alone. How much of a pitch's spin becomes movement (spin efficiency) and which way the axis points matter as well. High-spin four-seamers with nothing-special IVB are common.
Common misconception
“Higher spin makes the ball rise more.”
If spin efficiency is low, even a high spin rate won't add up to much vertical movement. IVB itself is the more accurate number for ride.
Across leagues
KBOPitch-level tracking data isn't public in enough detail to confirm IVB from an official source. For import pitchers with MLB experience, their Baseball Savant data is a useful reference.