QUOTE (G&T @ Oct 6, 2008 -> 08:16 AM)
Hitter catch onto the fact that he will hang breaking balls because he is too afraid to snap it off. He gets away throwing fastballs the first time through, but a pitcher has to throw off speed stuff the second time through to keep hitters off balance. That's when things go bad.
I'm not sure that pitchers are ever afraid to "snap off" their curveball. If they would be afraid of anything, they'd be afraid not to "snap it off." Having an inability to throw a good curveball consistently, on the other hand, may be viable.