Changeup

The changeup (or short change) is a pitch ( throw) in baseball that is thrown intentionally slow. Notorious changeups thrown by the pitchers Trevor Hoffman, Pedro Martinez, Johan Santana, Brad Radke, Cole Hamels and Eric Gagne.

The point is that the hitter can confuse the changeup with other litters, especially with the fastball, which is about 10-15 mph faster. For this it is essential that the throwing motion looks exactly like those of the other pitches. In particular, the speed of the throwing hand (hand speed) for the hitter must look identical. To the deception often comes additional movement, such as downward and laterally, which is to use as late as possible. It is said that the changeup the fastball makes you look quickly, because the timing of the batter is disturbed.

Tactics

The changeup is a good throw to vary the speed. If the hitter eg inside a pitched fastball (inside fastball ) fouls against its natural direction of impact ( beats into touch ), then that is an indication that the hitter was too slow. He will endeavor to still be at the next pitch earlier in the ball. This is a situation in which you throw a changeup, because then one expects that he too early contact has the next pitch, and missed the ball, and only very weak hits. Another situation is the so-called hitters count - that is, three balls and no or a strike - if the pitcher is on the defensive, a strike must submit to and usually grabs his best pitch.

Handles

So the ball is now flying slower, there are several handles. Most commonly, the pitcher grips the ball with three fingers ( index, middle and ring fingers ), instead of two fingers, with some pitchers bend the index finger and index finger and thumb a form "OK " sign ( the so-called Circle changeup ). A further possibility is to spread the middle finger and the ring finger, such that they form a "V" (Vulcan changeup or splinge ).

Fastballs: Cutter | Four -seam | Two -seam | Shuuto | Sinker | Split - finger

Curveball: Curveball ( 12-6 ) | Knuckle curve | Screwball | Slider | Slurve

Changeups: Circle changeup | forkball | Palm Ball | Vulcan changeup

Other: Eephus pitch | Gyroball | Knuckleball | Spitball

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