Comments on: How to Throw a Change-Up

on 6/10/2008 The essential element to a change(or a circle change) is fooling the hitter by making it look just like your fastball. So, it helps to make your chance-up a variation of your dominant fastball. For me personally, i throw my 2-seam with a lot of tail on it(probably because I'm left-handed)so I never really see the need to throw a 4-seam. Therefore, what you do is simply place your index, middle, and ring finger exactly where you grip your 2-seam fastball. This fools the hitters because it looks like your fastball, but comes in at 8-15 mph slower. You can do the same with a 4-seam change-up. The only way I see a circle change making a considerable amount of difference in movement is when you throw side-arm.

on 6/10/2008 i feel that a circle change (or any change for that matter) should be a slower version of your dominating fastball. I personally am a 2-seam fastball guy, so all i do is push my fingers together and put the ring finger there as well, holding it just like a 2-seamer. Same if you are a 4-seam type pitcher. This really fools the batters. And I really don't think that a circle change gives the ball any more movement than a regular change does, unless you throw side-arm.

on 1/16/2007 What kind of spin are you supposed to put on a circle change? Would some topspin help the ball to sink more, or is it something else that makes the pitch drop?

on 1/16/2007 What kind of spin are you supposed to put on a circle change? Would some topspin help the ball to sink more, or is it something else that makes the pitch fade away?

on 8/8/2006 1. Put your middle and ring finger on the seams, like your throwing a 2 seamer. Have your index and pinkie finger go on the side of the ball, and put your thumb just below your index finger.
2. Do your windup.
3. When you release the ball, extend to your target and let the ball slide out of your hand. The ball should come in like a fastball, and then die at the plate.

on 8/8/2006 I have been trying a new delivery style (sidearm), but when I used overhand I came up with a type of circle change breaking ball. I was just experimenting with different pitches. I was working in my circle change up when I decided to throw it with a little flick of my wrist (like you do with a curveball) and the ball should make a downward darting motion like a curveball. I used this along with a normally thrown circle change to mix hitters up.

on 8/8/2006 The best way to throw your change up is to put your index and middle fingers on the seams and bend your index finger so it looks like an OK sign without the ball. When thrown correctly, with no flick of the wrist and pushing it a bit, it will drop extremely and have a slight break on it.

on 8/8/2006 Throw like a change-up, but flick your wrist. The ball will rise, but it will slow down because of backspin, then it will drop. This is a good strikeout pitch.

on 8/8/2006 Grip the ball with your pointer finger and your thumb right at the front of the ball along the seam, to where it feels like you can barely hold on to the ball. When you throw it, throw as hard as you can and release the ball a little later then you would a normal pitch. This will give the pitch a slow speed and a crazy, sinking movement.

on 8/8/2006 This is my way of throwing a change-up.

1. Make a C shape out of your hand.
2. Place the ball at the closed part of the C/back of the C (toward your palm.)
3. When you release, throw it like you're throwing heat, but let it slip out on top of your C and it will go a lot slower.
This does take practice for you to aim, but you will get it down. It does not matter where you place your hand on seams.

on 8/8/2006 When you throw the circle change, you should have your middle and ring finger with the seams like a two-seam fastball. When you release, you should try to drive your thumb into the ground. This will take speed off while adding movement to the pitch. It should tail away from lefties, almost like a screwball. Remember, it is important to keep the same arm motion while throwing the circle change, so you don't hint to the batter what you're throwing.

on 7/27/2006 Make a 'W' with your ring, middle, and index fingers. Put them on the ball right on top of the )( seams. Curl your thumb under and use just your pinky to hold it. Throw it like a fastball. It may either slide, drop, or pick up speed. It's awesome.

on 7/18/2006 -Grip the ball however you would to throw a circle change(grips differ based on hand size and such, it is important to find a grip that works for you)
-Near release point, let your hand go around the ball, like turning a doorknob counter clockwise for a righty, and clockwise for a lefty, and follow through.

For a righty the pitch will tail away from a left handed batter.
For a lefty it will tail into a left handed batter.
It is key to not slow your arm action down or even to change arm slots (as compared to a fastball), these are easy give-aways to attentive hitters that an off speed pitch is coming.

on 7/6/2006 Throw the ball like you would throw a curveball, just move your two fingers to the left and don't snap it as hard.

on 6/30/2006 Put your middle, ring, and pinky on the ball, deep into your palm. Then, on the left side of the ball, make a circle with your index finger and thumb. Throw it just like a fastball, but it will come out much slower, and break a little bit.