I heard of a pitch recently refered to the Ephus pitch? What is it, who threw it, and how do you throw it? Any more information, will be welcomed.
2007-02-23 10:36:05 · 5 answers · asked by baseball fan #1 go red sox 3 in Sports ➔ Baseball
It's a super-sized 12-6 curve ball. In a way.
It's a very exaggerated 12-6 curve ball, going far higher than any other one you're ever seen, and then dropping steeply, hopefully through the strike zone.
Pascual Perez was the last person I've seen throw one in game, and that was when he was in Montreal. Todd Stottlemyre always joked that he would one day through one in a game. He didn't, but I wouldn't be the bit surprised if he actually could throw one.
When it was first developed, umpires were very reluctant to call it a strike, even when it bisected the zone. They had to be ordered to recognize it.
For more information, check the source below.
2007-02-23 10:46:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL - the Ephus was a pitch that looked like a slow pitch softball pitch. Rip Sewell threw it in the 40's.
Someone brings it out every once in a while but the premise is the same as the current change up. It was to throw the hitters timing off. It was so slow every hitter thought they could hit it but it would often be out of the strike zone causing a hitter to screw himself into the ground trying to kill a bad pitch.
I wouldn't recommed throwing it.
2007-02-23 10:47:37 · answer #2 · answered by EnormusJ69 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The last person to throw it in a game is Tadano from Oakland. Last threw it against Boston last year while he was with Cleveland to David Ortiz. It was low and outside. It really is just a lob pitch. It is gripped deep in the hand like a change up and then the arm action stays the same all the way to the release point when the arm just pushes the ball to the plate. It averages from 48-55 MPH.
2007-02-23 10:45:10 · answer #3 · answered by A.J. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Remember the Rookie of the Year movie where the kid breaks his arm and becomes a major league pitcher? Remember the pitch at the end that his momma taught him? Basically thats it. Just a huge lob to throw the batter off.
As for pitchers who've thrown it... Dave LaRoche for the Angels did. But I've never seen it in a game myself.
2007-02-24 06:14:25 · answer #4 · answered by beaux b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rip Sewell was the first to try it. Ted Williams ripped one of his into the seats. No pitcher will ever call that his "out" pitch.
2007-02-23 15:31:04 · answer #5 · answered by Bob T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋