Definition
for a pitcher to throw a pitch at or near the batter, typically to frighten the batter or to have him stand farther away from home plate.
Origins
From the concept that a pitch thrown very close to a batter will remove some dust or dirt from the batter's uniform either by brushing against it or causing a breeze very close to it, or alternatively by the batter jumping away from the pitch to avoid being hit.
In Context
- "That pitcher doesn't like the hitters too close to the plate so every once in a while he'll dust off a batter."
- "He never attempted to dust off a batter; and his control was so great that no hitter was ever afraid to stand right up to the plate and look Matty's fast ball right in the eye."