Spotting My Pitches

Question
QUESTION: hi im 13 years old i have a 58 mph fastball and deadly accuracy. how are some ways to throw a good changup

ANSWER: Hi Taylor,

good changeups start from the grip.  Remember, they have to look just like fastballs in the delivery except the speed is changed.  Some say its sort of an optical illusion, I say its more like trickery and acting!

The easist to use is straight change and you grip the ball using three fingers not two.  Keep the ball closer to your palm and NOT on the tips of your fingers.  You are trying to fool the batter to think its another fastball.  By the time he realizes its not the fastball, the bat swing is too late and a hit is more likely a foul ball or one that has less power.

Another changeup is the circle grip.  This one is more difficult and some coaches would prefer that old players use it (like me).  You have to form a circle with your index finger (friendly pointing finger!) and thumb; grip the seams of the baseball; twist your hand as you release the ball.  Its a more difficult grip and should only be done as you get older and stronger.  Same goes for curve ball.  I would only let my 15 year olds work on this.

If you can find a variation of this - say less wrist twist action - maybe you can make this your own version.  At least you won't cause untold stress on your wrist, forearm bones and nerves.

Palm ball is another changeup. You place the ball in the palm of your hand and throw as you would for a fastball. It has been known to make batters swing earlier as it looks like a fastball but its speed drops quickly.

Like all changeups, you have to go slow and practice as often as you need.  Always check with your coach to see if he wants you throwing with these grips.  It's your coaches call not mine.

Find one or two that you are comfortable with and experiment.  Perfect the changeup according to your ability and it'll do you wonders.

Here is an excellent article you should read:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050304&content_id=957212&vkey=spt2005n

Note: above link should be all on one line.  

Best of luck,

JohnMc
Padres rock the house!

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QUESTION: i asked a question last year about a changeup but now that i have that down i would like to know if there are eny good breaking pitches that dont cause stress on the arm. i have a knuckle curve but i rarely throw it as it is not good for my arm

ANSWER: Hi Taylor,

wow - you're confident.  That's impressive work you're doing.  Bravo!

without a doubt, based on your age and ability, I'm sure you can start to learn about the sinker and slider pitches.  I like the slider, its sort of a cross between a fast ball and a curve ball and its not too hard on the arm (like a knuckleball or curve).  

Here's a good website to visit:

http://www.ehow.com/how_3184_throw-slider.html

Same site can show you the sinker too.

Best of luck and have a good season!  Maybe I'll hear from you next year.  

JohnMc

NB: Stay away from knuckleball pitches - you're too young and it can ruin your throw.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey John Me again =P well i read your advice and i learned to throw a slurve and i averaged 7.5 so per nine so thank you a million. Because of you I got to pitch in a championship game and I gave up one in the first and then had 6 lights out innings. my bull pen ended up giving up 5 runs in 1/3 of an inning but i ended up winning it 11-8 so thanx a million. i also got 8 so. I had a problem though throughout the season i would hit little pockets where i could spot the ball beautifully but then id start leaving pitches up. how can i spot differenttly and what do you think caused this?????

Answer
Hi Taylor,

glad to read about your pitching accomplishments.  Wow.  You're becoming quite a strong pitcher.

Regarding your spotting problem, could it be concentration?  Could it be fatique?  Is your pitch count too high? By the way, it's not uncommon for pitchers to do well then slowly fall into quicksand.
 
Quicksand is when you suddenly realize that you are having a problem. You stop what was working and try something else BUT it only gets you deeper into trouble.  Finally you are too deep and you've lost focus, concentration, and confidence.

I could be wrong but I don't think its a spotting problem. Perhaps its time to start learning more strategies? It will help you keep focus and accurate.  

Here's a great website that is just what you need to read:

http://www.qcbaseball.com/skills/pitching1.aspx

I have no doubt you can learn to overcome quicksand by remembering to be both creative and disciplined.  Creative in throwing various pitches and speeds, disciplined in keeping your focus on the mechanics of your throw and not making incorrect changes.

Just keep you confidence and maintain your poise.  Never let the batter know what to expect next.

Keep up the great effort,

JohnMc