8-CHANGEUP

To throw a great change a pitcher must practice using very similar looking body mechanics to those of the fastball. That is to say, move your body as explosively as you would throwing a fastball. next she must k=learn how to throw a flat trajectory pitch that is 20-30% slower than her fastball. A change that loops in there will be detected early in its flight by advanced hitters. Too slow or too fast and it will get hit by advanced hitters. Of course in lower levels, just about any change will work just fine, in fact just bout any ole mediocre pitch of any sort will work, but lower level ball won't get you to A ball, or to college for that matter.

Here are some of my favorite changes:

The backhander(turnaround). This one is a collegiate favorite as it spins so tight it looks like a fastball approaching and the pitcher need not cut back body speed to slow it down. Holding the ball like your fastball, simply circle your arm like normal until your hand get below your shoulder in the back, then turn your hand so that the back of your hand faces the catcher. Do this by twisting the wrist fast before you get to your back pocket area. At your hip, you will try to shove the ball out , palm down. Do not snap and leave your arm out long, in front of you.

The knuckle shove: We throw this pitch a lot these days. Simply knuckle up two or three fingers, by spiking them into the ball , or tucking them. Now throw the pitch by pushing it off your palm at release. Keep your fingers facing the ground as much as possible. It is ok to finish up on your front leg to help keep the fingers down almost drop ball style. This pitch can drop out of the strike zone rapidly. It is easy to keep slow, but it does not spin as well as the backhander so it is a little more detectable.

The horse shoe change: Hold the ball so that the seems appear to form the shape of a horse shoe facing away from you. Wrap your first finger and thumb around those seams. Bunch your remaining fingers up against each other. Now throw the ball like a fastball , except at release, turn your hand so the palm faces you. To release the ball simply pop your fingers out as if you are pushing the ball off your palm. Finish by reaching out with you hand as if to shake hands. This one is easy to keep low and it can drop some. Again the spin ins not much of an aid, but the movement compensates. Also, it is good to have a couple of changes to fall back on.