Changeup

:: This article is about a type of pitch in the sport of baseball. Changeup is also the name of a UK government project.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace and simply change. It is thrown with the same motion used for the fastball, but with less speed. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball. The changeup is analogous to the slower ball in cricket.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The changeup is thrown with the same arm action as a fastball; the speed difference is due to a different grip. In addition to the changeup's velocity differential and the difficulty for a batter to discern its arm action, the pitch can also possess a significant amount of movement. The very best changeups in baseball utilize both deception and movement to be effective.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There are several types of changeups. The most common type is the straight change. The ball is held with three fingers, instead of the normal two, and the ball is held closer to the palm, to kill some of the speed generated by the wrist and fingers. This pitch generally breaks downward slightly, though its motion does not differ greatly from a two-seam fastball. Another common changeup grip is known as the circle change. With this pitch, the pitcher forms a circle with his index finger and thumb, using these two fingers to grip the seams of the baseball. This pitch tends to break slightly in the same direction as a screwball. Pedro Mart?nez has used this pitch throughout his career to great effect, and many consider it to be the future Hall of Famer's best pitch. Another, less common grip is known as the "Vulcan change." Its name comes from the character Spock from "Star Trek," and his hand symbol representing "Live long and prosper." The pitcher wedges the ball between his middle finger and ring finger. This pitch's break resembles a forkball, going straight downward in addition to the velocity change. Eric Gagne, a premier reliever, utilizes this pitch extremely effectively.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Baseball: Baseball is a team sport, a bat-and-ball game, in which a hard, fist-sized ball is thrown by a defensive player called a pitcher, and an offensive player called a batter attempts to hit it with a tapered, cylindrical, smooth stick called a bat. The ball itself is also called a baseball. Scoring is a...

Fastball: :For the American band of the same name, see Fastball (band)....

Speed: :For alternate uses, see special education or speed (disambiguation)....

Changeup related Images and Photos (experimental)

The Change-Up DVD

The Change-Up Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Unrated Edition BD Combo Pack