changeups

Changing speeds is a great way to get people out - and is the sign of a pitcher rather than a thrower.

I once watched a Giant - Dodger game where a pitcher named Rick Reuschel throw 13 straight pitches (no curves) - and no two of them were the same speed - from 78 - 91. Rick could take 2 MPH off, add 3 on whenever he wanted - and got major league hitters out for close to 20 years.

Keep throwing the change, it can be your out pitch for a long time!!!

Keep using your change-up but don't over do it. Changing speeds doesn't always mean throwing a change-up. Try taking a little off some pitches and adding a little to others and that will compliment your change. If you throw too many, you can lose some on your fastball. Keep your fastball and change speeds and then use that change as your out pitch or surprise pitch in fastball counts.

If you use exactly the same mechanics for your changeup as for your fastball (e.g., no slowing the arm down, no toe dragging, etc.), it will not do harm. Nor will it affect your fastball.

You do want to ensure that you continue to develop command of your fastball. And have more than one fastball grip. This will give you different movement and slightly different speeds on your fastballs.

Good luck.

It is also good to have a speed at which you have location on your fastball and a speed at which you can get a few more mph somewhere around the strike zone. Many pitchers either consistently overthrow or consistently throw at the speed they have the most control at. Neither is ideal. You actually have to practice being able to throw harder with a bit less control or you will simply put more effort into throwing the same speed with less control when you try to do it in a game. Having that little extra to draw on will make both your normal fastball and your change more effective.

Also not a bad idea to long toss using change-up grip as it helps in maintaining arm speed.

If you can command it throw it, a couple other guys who did alright throwing the change a whole bunch, a guy named Viola, a guy named Franco, a guy named Hoffman, and another hanging on with his changeup for a while now, Maddox. Moyer has held his own too.....

At only 13, its good that you have learned a change. Lets not compare this kid to pro pitchers just yet. A change can and should be a situational pitch. 5% curves thrown correctly is enough at your age, and maybe 30% changes in certain situations is plenty. You must learn to throw your fastball hard, and learn to throw it often and command it. Then and only then will you be able to back off on it and change speeds with the fastball. You should be throwing both 2 seam and 4 seam fastball, which will vary speed and location. Then the change will be even harder for a hitter to adjust to.

thanks you all for ur coments!

Coachric,

was'nt comparing a 13 u kid to a pro guy, letting a 13u know that there is an alternative to the 92mph guy.(or 82 at his age) Thats all....

quote:

Originally posted by Coachric:
Then and only then will you be able to back off on it and change speeds with the fastball.

What do you mean by "back off"?

Hey Tex. A pitcher should learn his limits before he can change speeds with his fastball, as it was suggested in an earlier post. I would say a pitcher has to become very crafty in order to range his fastball from say 78-85. In some cases, that could actually invite trouble, as the slower fastball may look like a BP fastball to a young hitter. It was noted earlier that a guy like Reuschel used to change speeds on hs fastball 5-10 mph. I don't see many kids getting to this point succesfully. An adult pitcher who has control and movement and an assortment of other pitchers would have more success. The kid here should be learning the 2 and 4 seamers and a change and occassional curve. When he can control the FB he will have more success with the secondary pitches. JMO.
Deuce, meant nothing about comparisons accept we often point to succesful pro's when we really want these kids to have a basis for success, which begins with lots of pen work, learning the FB and working in other pitches, Ch, CB.

Coachric, I agree with what you are saying, I see too often young kids like him worrying about the heat instead of worrying about pitching.

Excellent post Coachric. Texan, you can certainly lose a little on your fastball if you do not maintain it. This is why it is important to learn to pitch and vary speeds with the fastball so that you do not fall victim to throwing your fastball as hard as you can and then throwing the change. Hitting is all about timing, the more you disrupt it the better. The change is the most under utilized pitch in high school and college baseball. But in order for it to be it's best, a pitcher must develop and maintain his fastball arm speed and mechanics which comes through commanding (not just throwing) his fastball.