I love the hot air flowing through this topic, funny but when I look at all the top (mph) throwers I see nothing but future doctor bills.
Give me a player that keeps the ball down and gets the 7 guys behind him working then 60mph would be fine. Speed is like height in basketball, can't be taught, you just have it; then control and variety becomes the most important factor in dealing with hitters.
So get over who tops off at what level and lets see how many ground balls a pitcher produces per game instead of how many K's.
observer, you lost me first you said the change up is one of the easiet pitches to throw and also to learn, then you said the problem is coaches won't call it because so many pitchers throw it in the dirt. If you are throwing it in the dirt, it doesn't sound that easy to throw. What I like in a pitcher is to throw the 2 or 3 pitches he has for strikes, after watching many pitchers try to learn the change up it doesn't seem that easy to learn. Many major league pitchers (Maddox) have been quoted as I wish I could have learned to throw my change for strikes sooner. Maybe I misunderstood what you were trying to say.
Lineshot I probably should have clarified my statement. Kids should learn the change up at an early age 11 or 12. Coaches are afraid to call for the change, with runners on base, because most catchers struggle with balls in the dirt at this level. Therefore passed balls result in more stolen bases. Most pitches struggle with control at the youth level, therefore I rather see the change be thrown at the knee level or outside of the plate instead of throwing in at belt level over the plate. I hope that helps
Observer NIL,
IMHO,I think that throwing the change up correctly is one of the hardest pitches to throw as well as catch. If your catcher is not taught to hang as close as possible to the batter and reach in for the ball, the best change ups turn into a ball in the dirt. Also, what many call a changeup is really a cousin of a slow two seam type pitch with like movement. Some of the best pitchers who throw the change up correctly at various levels are taught to practice using two grips. Just in case one grip is not working for whatever @%$# reason. Change ups are funny like that at times. I have found that modifying grips from the circle or other traditional change up grips is o.k. and does not and should not be taught from a cookie cutter approach. It clearly is a money pitch for those who can throw it well on the tough pitch counts.
IMHO,I think that throwing the change up correctly is one of the hardest pitches to throw as well as catch. If your catcher is not taught to hang as close as possible to the batter and reach in for the ball, the best change ups turn into a ball in the dirt. Also, what many call a changeup is really a cousin of a slow two seam type pitch with like movement. Some of the best pitchers who throw the change up correctly at various levels are taught to practice using two grips. Just in case one grip is not working for whatever @%$# reason. Change ups are funny like that at times. I have found that modifying grips from the circle or other traditional change up grips is o.k. and does not and should not be taught from a cookie cutter approach. It clearly is a money pitch for those who can throw it well on the tough pitch counts.
lsc59, you are correct. I just think a change is easier to teach than a 1-7 or 2-8 curveball for kids. Knowing how to throw and escpecially when to throw the change is the key. My son was taught the change by Ken Raines of Pro Player in McHenry. An excellant pitching coach who played in the Atlanta Braves minor leagues.
I think one reason coaches don't have confidence isn't the ball in the dirt...that could be an effective pitch. A poorly thrown change up is the most likely pitch to get hammered....slow but in the zone without movement = bomb.