In baseball, a fastball is a pitch thrown very hard and quickly toward the batter, usually as straight as the pitcher can make it. It is the basic weapon: the other pitches (a curve, a slider) work partly because the batter is afraid of the fastball. Speed is the point; there is less trick-spin than in those breaking pitches.

In baseball在棒球裡 a fastball它 is a pitch thrown very hard and quickly toward the batter是投手用盡全力、很快地朝打者投出的一球 usually as straight as the pitcher can make it通常盡量投得直 It它 is the basic weapon是最基本的武器 the other pitches (a curve, a slider)其他球路（曲球、滑球） work partly because之所以有效，有部分原因是 the batter is afraid of the fastball打者害怕這種球 Speed is the point重點在速度 there is less trick-spin旋轉變化比較少 than in those breaking pitches比起那些變化球

People also use it as a verb: to fastball someone is to throw them that pitch.

People also use it as a verb這個字也可以當動詞用 to fastball someoneto fastball someone is to throw them that pitch就是朝某人投出這種球

Away from the field, American speakers sometimes borrow it for a hard, direct question or a blunt move. Though actually, the everyday picture for a surprise question is more often a “curveball,” and an easy question is a “softball,” so do not force the metaphor if you are not sure.

Away from the field離開球場 American speakers美國人 sometimes borrow it有時候會借用這個字 for a hard, direct question or a blunt move指很直接、很強硬的問題或做法 Though actually不過其實 the everyday picture for a surprise question一般講出乎意料的問題 is more often a “curveball,”比較常用「curveball」 and an easy question is a “softball,”簡單的問題則常說「softball」 so do not force the metaphor if you are not sure如果不確定，就不要硬套這個比喻

The sports meaning is the one that matters.

The sports meaning它在運動裡的意思 is the one that matters才是重要的