Ah. The famed spitball. First made illegal in Major League Baseball in 1920 (helping end the Dead Ball era), the spitball is a ball that drops abruptly when thrown. A little wetness applied on the ball and a grip with no fingers on seams, and the pitcher can throw the ball by letting it slip out of his fingers, creating forward spin and a tremendous drop at the plate. Gaylord Perry, the king of the spitball, advises that 'a little dab'll do ya'.