In
baseball terminology, a brushback is a pitch, often used for intimidation purposes, thrown near a batter's head. A pitcher will throw a brushback if he thinks the batter is crowding over the
plate, is being a showboat, or for retaliation.
Brushbacks can result in warnings, ejections, or
even bench-clearing brawls.
Nolan Ryan threw a brushback at
Robin Ventura years ago...and then proceeded to administer a
grade-A asswhoopin' on the poor guy.