What is a Change Up Pitch in Baseball? The Right Ways to Throw a Changeup

What is a change up pitch in baseball? A changeup is a slow-moving pitch that the batter takes for a fastball because of the thrown manner. Speed and spin are crucial to throwing a changeup pitch like a pro. Keep reading!

What is a change up pitch in baseball?

The change up pitch in baseball is also known as an off-speed pitch. It is often thrown to make the hitter think it’s a fastball when it’s much slower. The hitter can’t tell when to hit because of the slower speed and the lie. Regarding speed, the changeup pitch is one of the slowest pitches, but it can be very good at fooling batters. 

The Right Ways to Throw a Changeup 

The Right Ways to Throw a Changeup 

Grip Types 

The three-finger changeup grip is the most frequent. Hold the ball with your index, middle, and the ring fingers on top and your thumb on bottom. 

Wrist Snap 

An important part of doing a good changeup is the wrist snap. Changeup pitchers must use the same wrist movement as their fastball, unlike other off-speed offerings, which produce more spin to slow the ball. 

Release Point 

The release point of a changeup is very important to how well it works. With the same arm motion and speed as their fastball, pitchers should release the ball with a slower velocity controlled by their grip and wrist action. 

Release Point 

Conclusion

So after knowing what is a change up pitch in baseball you must have got a calrity for playing baseball perfectly. Baseball pitchers use the changeup pitch to confuse batters by imitating a fastball but being slower. Its ability to throw batters off balance makes it a crucial tool for pitchers to deceive opponents and improve game strategy.

FAQ

How do you change up in baseball? 

Put your middle finger and thumb on the ball’s top and bottom edges to hold your ball like you would a swerve. After that, throw the “C” form straight at your goal. 

Does a change up break the ball? 

A change up is a straight pitch that moves more slowly than a fastball. If the ball breaks, it bends and changes direction as it goes to the plate. 

What does a knuckleball mean? 

You can teach a kid how to throw a knuckler and use it as a great change-up, but it will behave differently than a professional pitcher’s. 

Sources:

https://rapsodo.com/blogs/baseball/building-a-pitching-arsenal-changeup

https://www.sportsdefinitions.com/baseball/what-is-changeup-in-baseball/