What is a changeup pitch?

A changeup pitch is a type of off-speed pitch in baseball that is designed to look like a fastball but is thrown with less velocity. The goal of a changeup is to disrupt the timing of the batter by causing them to swing too early or too late.

To throw a changeup, the pitcher typically grips the ball with the same grip as a fastball but uses a different arm speed and release point to deceive the batter. The changeup is usually thrown with the same arm motion as a fastball, but the pitcher uses their fingers to apply less pressure on the ball, causing it to come out slower.

The changeup is an effective pitch for pitchers to use as it can keep hitters off balance and induce weak contact or swinging strikes. It is often used in combination with a pitcher's other pitches, such as a fastball or breaking ball, to keep hitters guessing and prevent them from timing the pitches effectively.