Work fast. Throw strikes. Change speeds. This is the classic advice to
major league pitchers as they try to influence the batter's accuracy in
hitting his pitch. Of all these components, high speed and deceptive
slower speed are the pitcher's strongest weapons. Most pitchers cannot
consistently overpower a major league batter. But any pitcher who can
change speeds well will confound any batter.
The change-up is a pitch that looks like a fastball coming out of the pitcher's hand but comes to the batter slower. Some change-ups are dramatically slower but most believe that too much of a difference allows the batter to adjust. Seeing both pitches tracked over time is remarkable as the separation occurs after about 30 feet in the 66 foot approach. The slower pitch drops a bit as well and some pitchers can make it fade to the left or right.
The essence of the pitch is that it is thrown with less of a strong grip. The fastball is gripped with the strong index and middle finger and comes out of the hand with the help of those fingers. But the change-up is thrown with the index and ring finger. The little finger is used sometimes too. The "circle change" is only an elaboration; the forefinger, usually off the ball, touches the thumb making a circle--like an "ok" sign.
Where the pitch is thrown is crucial. The batter moves the bat through the strike zone extremely fast with the head, the far end, moving the fastest. His hands on the handle, while driving the bat speed, are slowest. Consequently, if he is fooled and swings expecting a fast pitch, the head of the bat is committed first and goes through the zone first. If the pitch is outside, the head will miss. But if the pitch is inside, the slower handle of the bat--vulnerable to the fastball--might be slow enough it make contact with the slower pitch.
The change-up is a pitch that looks like a fastball coming out of the pitcher's hand but comes to the batter slower. Some change-ups are dramatically slower but most believe that too much of a difference allows the batter to adjust. Seeing both pitches tracked over time is remarkable as the separation occurs after about 30 feet in the 66 foot approach. The slower pitch drops a bit as well and some pitchers can make it fade to the left or right.
The essence of the pitch is that it is thrown with less of a strong grip. The fastball is gripped with the strong index and middle finger and comes out of the hand with the help of those fingers. But the change-up is thrown with the index and ring finger. The little finger is used sometimes too. The "circle change" is only an elaboration; the forefinger, usually off the ball, touches the thumb making a circle--like an "ok" sign.
Where the pitch is thrown is crucial. The batter moves the bat through the strike zone extremely fast with the head, the far end, moving the fastest. His hands on the handle, while driving the bat speed, are slowest. Consequently, if he is fooled and swings expecting a fast pitch, the head of the bat is committed first and goes through the zone first. If the pitch is outside, the head will miss. But if the pitch is inside, the slower handle of the bat--vulnerable to the fastball--might be slow enough it make contact with the slower pitch.
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