My change-up has very little movement on it and is barely faster than my fastball. How do you recommend throwing it to get more movement and less velocity?
2007-03-21 13:43:54 · 15 answers · asked by CJ 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
typo; meant to say slightly slower than my fastball...lol
2007-03-21 16:24:22 · update #1
The first thing you need to do is take a look at how you're griping you change. Here's a site that does a pretty good job of demonstrating the proper way to throw some pitches.
http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_grips.htm
Personally, I always perfered the circle change, but everyone is different. I have work with several kids that had a natural throwing motion that was more suited to a palm ball. You just need to try several different change-ups, and figure out which one works best for you.
When I had a coach first teach me the circle change he showed me the basic grip, and then told me to play with it. Try slightly different finger placements and arm actions to figure out what was most comfortable and effective for me....and that's what I tell the guys that I coach now.
Also, once you figure out what works best for you throw it alot. My college coach made me throw it everyday in warm ups until me and my partner were about 90 ft. apart, then he'd let me go back to throwing regular for the rest of the warm up. He'd also make me throw entire bull-pens with nothing but change-ups. I hated it at the time, but it really paid off in the long run. I got to the point where my change became my best pitch and I felt that I could throw it for a strike in any count.
Hope this helps.
2007-03-21 14:25:55 · answer #1 · answered by The_Natural 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you go to practice, or even in the off season, and when you are warming up, throw your change-up every other throw. It will get your arm used to the grip on the ball. Throw it with the same arm action as your fastball. After a few weeks of this, you'll be comfortable with your grip and be able to throw it for a strike at any time. The velocity will also decrease; a good change up is about 7mph slower than the fastball. Throwing a good change-up in a fastball count is devastating to hitters. With a good change up, you don't even need a curveball.
2007-03-21 18:26:55 · answer #2 · answered by j9_pudge 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Being a pitcher- I would say either grip the ball farther back in your hands and let it roll off the fingers. (you almost need to palm the ball.) This will take a lot of speed off it. Also, you could change your grip to a circle change. This will reduce a lot of speed on your change and give you some movement. Beware, this is a harder pitch to throw and control. Also, make sure that you are throwing your change-up with an identical arm motion as your fastball. Good luck.
2007-03-21 14:20:51 · answer #3 · answered by cubyankee34 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A changeup is slower than a fastball. If yours is faster, you are doing something seriously wrong, not to mention your pitching coach should quit the game. A changeup has the same arm speed upon delivery and same rotation as a fastball, but comes in significantly slower (10-20%) which makes it difficult to recognize coming out of your hand and throws off the batters' timing, putting them ahead of the ball on their swing. You ought to have someone teach you the circle change - that works well for those willing to put in the time to learn and refine the pitch.
2007-03-21 13:53:09 · answer #4 · answered by hankshammers 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When I was pitching, I had the exact same problems w/ my change up. A pitching coach told me I needed to learn the circle-change, and taught it to me. It's an easy grip, and is the best change-up for younger players to throw w/out losing any arm speed. I had the same arm-speed as the fastball, w/ about 15 mph less velocity, and a bit more rotation than the traditional change-up.
2007-03-21 18:18:59 · answer #5 · answered by Adam D 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First, be sure you are not using a 2-seam or 4-seam grip - otherwise you are throwing a fastball. Make sure your fingers are evenly spread and keep a slightly looser grip. what always hlped me dop speed was to move the ball closer to my palm. For movement, try a circle change grip - cuts velocity and moves - but make sure you can spot it before throwing it in a game-wors than a BP fastball. GL!
2007-03-21 13:53:41 · answer #6 · answered by jbn97 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try throwing a palm ball. It is a great pitch that is easy to throw and is easy on the arm. A circle change can mess up your elbow if thrown incorrectly. Place the ball deep into your palm and when releasing let it roll of your finger tips. Make sure to keep the same arm speed so that batters do not pick up on your change up. Just keep practicing and practicing it until you have it mastered. Its shouldn't take to long. Good Luck!
2007-03-21 14:26:46 · answer #7 · answered by sprtzstar7 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no circle change it is harder to control. choke the ball deeper in the palm with all 4 fingers around the ball. make sure arm rotation and release is the same.if that doesnt work it could be you just don't have a very good fastball.
2007-03-22 15:38:57 · answer #8 · answered by B-MAN 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Alexander Hamilton
2007-03-21 13:59:15 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Sir 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could be gripping the ball to tightly. Try loosening your grip a bit, put the ball back more in your palm and with a good follow through, really let the ball roll off you fingertips.
2007-03-21 14:49:03 · answer #10 · answered by shominyyuspa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋