What is a changeup in baseball?

A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball that is designed to deceive the batter by appearing to be a fastball but actually traveling at a slower speed. This off-speed pitch is typically thrown with the same arm action and grip as a fastball, but with a different release point and grip pressure, resulting in less velocity and movement.

Changeups are effective because they disrupt the batter's timing and can induce weak contact or swing-and-misses. Pitchers often use changeups to keep hitters off balance and set up their other pitches. It is important for a pitcher to have good command and feel for the changeup in order to consistently throw it for strikes and keep hitters guessing.

There are various types of changeups, including the circle change, palm ball, and split-finger changeup, each with its own unique grip and movement. Developing a reliable changeup can be a valuable tool for pitchers at all levels of baseball.