-
Step 1
Understand your pitcher. A great hitter does his homework about the pitcher he is facing. Every pitcher has a fastball. Another common pitch is the change-up. However, some pitchers rarely rely on it because it is slower to the plate and can stay on a flat plane. Pitchers may be reluctant to throw because if the batter is not fooled, he can hit it hard and long. Learn the pitches that the pitcher you are facing likes to throw. If he relies on his change-up, you will be one step ahead of the game.
-
Step 2
Check the count while in the batter's box. Pitchers will try to psych out the batter. Half the trick to hitting the change-up is mental. Understand when the pitcher will throw the change-up. If they are ahead in the count they may try to get you out with a change-upe, so be ready for it. However, if the count is three balls and one strike with men on base, chances are they will throw a fastball. By understanding what pitch they will throw in different counts, you will be far ahead of the game.
-
Step 3
Move up in the batter's box. A change-up is slower than a fastball. Therefore, if you move up in the batter's box or toward the pitcher when you expect a change-up, the pitch will arrive to you in a shorter amount of time. This split-second difference will take you away from being early on your swing and move you toward driving the ball into fair play. If the pitcher's change-up dips down and away at the last moment - as many change-ups do - you can reach it before it breaks.
-
Step 4
Stay back with your hands. This is a piece of advice that many coaches give. It refers to the impulse the hitter has to swing quickly when expecting the fastball. If your hands stay back, your swing has not yet begun. Therefore as the pitch comes in and you keep your hands back, it will give you more time to recognize the change-up. Then, at the appropriate time, swing.
-
Step 5
Look at the spin on the ball. Not every hitter has good enough eyesight to do this. A change-up has a slow spin as it comes out of the pitcher's hand. It looks very different from a curve ball or the tight spin of the fastball. If the pitch seems to be "tumbling" toward the plate, chances are it's a change-up.
