Why Master The Off-Speed Pitch?

If the best pitch in baseball is a well-located fastball, the second-best pitch is a good, low change-up. High school pitchers need to master an off-speed pitch to combat today's bigger, stronger, and more aggressive hitters in order to keep them off balance. In this article, I will be discussing the reasons why the change-up is as effective, if not more effective than a sharp, breaking curve ball. HITTERS CANNOT DETECT CHANGE-UP SPIN Good hitters can detect curve ball rotation, whereas the change-up has the same backspin as the fastball. In other words a straight change-up is derived from a fastball and does not have the distinctive overspin of the curve ball. The only way hitters can detect a change-up is when a pitcher visibly slows down his arm speed. If the number one component to hitting is timing, then the number one goal of the pitcher should be to disrupt the hitter's timing. The key is to find a comfortable grip that accommodates the arm speed of an 85 mph fastball. Whether a pitcher uses a three-finger, circle change, palm ball, the dead-leg, or stiff-wrist change- up, he should be able to automatically take eight to twelve miles an hour off this pitch compared to a fastball. A good change up forces hitters to make weak contact when it is well-located and well-disguised. CHANGE-UPS ARE EASIER TO THROW THAN CURVE BALLS Since the change up is derived from the fastball, it should be relatively easy to master this pitch. This is especially true for pitchers whose make-up, personality and pitching styles allow them to remain relaxed and composed on the mound. As a pitching coach, I typically like to introduce the change-up early to young pitchers who have their mechanics and release point down. This will enable pitchers to practice, experiment, and eventually gain the confidence needed to successfully use this pitch in a game. One training method that several notable high school and college programs use, especially during the pre-season, is to allow their pitchers only to use fastballs and change-ups in their intra-squad games (with no breaking balls permitted). The radar gun is another great teaching tool to illustrate the needed speed differential between a good fastball and change-up, which should be no less than 8 and no more than 12 mph. REDUCING ARM INJURIES AND PITCH COUNTS A pitcher who successfully can locate his change-up not only will reduce arm injuries, but also will be able to force hitters into more ground balls and easy outs. This goes a long way in managing ones pitch count. The breaking ball (curve, slider) also places an extreme amount of torque on the shoulder and elbow joints. The supination motion (thumbs up action) of the breaking ball has the potential to seriously injure an arm - especially HS age developing arms. Conversely, the change-up (thrown with the pronated, thumbs-down/hand-inside-the ball action) uses the big muscle groups of the arm and is substantially safer. IN CLOSING The beauty of the straight change is that it is a weapon for pitchers at every level of baseball. It helps reduce arm injuries. It also makes a pitcher more valuable to his team. And, it can even turn a good high school pitcher into a solid college or pro prospect. Coach John Luedtke is the Director of the Health, Physical Education and Intramural Sports programs at NWACC. He formerly served as an assistant baseball coach at Mississippi State University, Lamar University, and the University of Arkansas. He has also been a scouting supervisor for the Cincinnati Reds. For more information on private/groups baseball lessons contact him at jflpitch@hotmail.com or www.jflpitch.netfirms.com