Induced Vertical Break (IVB)
Also known as: IVB, rise, vertical break, induced movement
Induced vertical break is the vertical movement a pitch achieves purely from spin, measured against a hypothetical spinless ball — isolating the Magnus effect from gravity.
Because gravity acts on every pitch equally, IVB strips out gravitational drop and measures only the movement generated by spin. A four-seam fastball with high IVB "rises" relative to a spinless ball — it drops less than expected, appearing to rise to hitters. A sinker with low IVB has more downward break from spin added to gravity. Tracking systems report IVB in inches. Higher IVB fastballs generate more swing-and-miss at the top of the zone because hitters underestimate how "high" they will remain.
Example — On a radar/tracking system report
His four-seamer had 18 inches of IVB — among the highest in his league — explaining the frequency of swings under the pitch at the top of the zone.
Frequently asked questions
Does a fastball literally rise?
No — gravity pulls every pitch down. High IVB means the ball drops significantly less than expected, which the brain perceives as "rising" relative to what it predicted.
Related terms
- Spin Rate (Pitching)Spin rate is how fast the ball rotates in revolutions per minute (RPM) after leaving the hand — higher spin amplifies the Magnus effect and increases pitch movement.
- Four-Seam FastballThe four-seam fastball is the most common pitch in baseball — gripped across all four seams — and is typically the hardest, straightest pitch a pitcher throws.
- Horizontal BreakHorizontal break is the lateral movement a pitch generates from spin, measured in inches to the arm side (positive) or glove side (negative).
- Seam-Shifted Wake (SSW)Seam-Shifted Wake is an aerodynamic effect where an off-center seam orientation disrupts airflow asymmetrically, producing movement that cannot be predicted from spin rate or axis alone.
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