Expert: John Madden - 1/31/2010

Question
How much different should the speed of a change-up be compared to a pitchers fastball.We are talking high school where most pitchers throw their faastball 75-85 mph.

Answer
The first thing to try to accomplish when throwing a change up is that it looks like (from the batter's standpoint) that a fastball is coming.  That means the same mechanics should be used, the same spin on the baseball, and as close to the same arm speed as with the fastball.  Once that is accomplished, then the change of speed should be mastered.  Ultimately the slower you can make the pitch mph wise, while keeping everything looking like a fastball, the better you are.  I remember reading one study that said the most effective change ups are between 10 - 13 mph slower than the fastball.  The guys with great change ups can throw them this much slower, but the main reason they are such great pitches is because they look like fastballs coming in.  Remeber:  As a pitcher our job is to disrupt timing and balance.  The change up is a tool to disrupt timing.  Throwing in and out is a tool to disrupt balance.  Good Luck with the change up!

John Madden
www.YouGoProBaseball.com