change-up

[fastpitch7]

is there a philosophy on the ideal location to throw a change-up?

have heard down and away?

just curious on ideas/philosophys
thanks

[Clean_up]

Best change-up I've seen is thrown down and tails away from a right-handed batter, very hard to hit..

[2bucketdad]

Depending on the age division, change-ups (and there are many variations) can be used for many different reasons...up and inside early in the count to be fouled off for a strike...or a drop curve change low and outside (as mentioned above) after a couple hard screwballs or inside fastballs...to be effective the pitcher must be able to throw it for a strike at any time with any count...A change up for a strike on 3-0 with the take on makes a strong statement!

[fastpitch7]

talking for a 12year old , in a 14U (shes turning 13 soon).

its just a straight change up (backhand), so she should really work on down and away.

thanks

[Clean_up]

My DD just turned 12 and throws both ways. When she gets it working and spots it up like 2bucketdad said (doesn't happen all the time of course), it's nearly impossible to hit and takes batters off guard to see it come in on a 3-2 count, etc...

[3'sDad]

Even at 12u, a 3-2 change-up (with or without runners on base) will freeze almost any hitter...the hitters just don't expect it and if it's anywhere close, the umpire's respect both the pitch and the poise for throwing it and you can get the call.

[wadeintothem]

What age group?

Most change ups at lower levels arent even thrown for decent strikes at all..let alone being able to pick a location for the strike. First get that down.

I'd say if you are thinking location and got the whole strike thing down.. in, so they foul em off or cant get a good piece of the bat on it. If you are out with the change up, they can hold up and punch it, and even do so for they location they choose. If it's in, they will pull it to the fence, ahead of it, and foul. I think if you tracked change ups that got rocked, they would be away change ups.

As with any pitch thrown for a strike, down is better. I doubt you will get many change ups high through the zone called a strike. Its just too ugly of a pitch, and lobbing in a high one will look like a ball unless its swung at.. but a mid to low one you will get.

Thats what I think I see on this anyway.

I think the points on the 3-2 change up have some merit.

I think a 3-0 change up is a balsy pitch at any level... and when I see it thrown well, I am always impressed.

[Clean_up]

The change-up down and away I am referring to actually drops away, comes in at just above above the knee on the outside portion of the plate, then spins down and away. It's thrown out of the hand sideways with the pinky towards the batter. My DD learned this pitch first in 10U and continues to throw it now as a second year 12; granted it is a hard pitch to throw and as with all good pitches, it requires constant practice and adjustments to timing as she grows taller, but a great strike-out pitch when thrown correctly. Most misses with this pitch are not high, but low...