How to throw a great changeup

Deception, as you probably know, is the key to throwing an effective changeup. A changeup must look like a fastball, but come in slower -- and lower -- in the strike zone.

One way to take speed off of a changeup is to shorten your stride slightly (I’m talking a few inches here, not feet) and collapse on your back leg (again, slightly).

When I say "collapse on your back side," I’m talking about reducing the back-side leg-action associated with your follow through.

For instance, when you throw a fastball, your back-side kick is generally at its highest point. That's because it helps the arm and body decelerate.

But when you throw a changeup, that back leg kick shouldn't be as high. Because the variation is so slight, you really need a video camera to view it.

I recommend that you videotape your pitching motion from the right side and left side during practice sessions. This way, when the practice session is completed, you can see if your changeup mechanics working. Are you slowing down your delivery? When you're throwing your changeup, do your mechanics look the same as your fastball mechanics? How's your tempo?

The key to an effective changeup is deception. If the hitter you're facing notices differences in your mechanics pitch to pitch, he may be able to recognize it and make the necessary adjustment. Your changeup delivery needs to remain the same as the fastball -- and video can help you.

Another key in taking some speed off of a pitch is all about how you grip the pitch – and from the slight, natural pronation (turning your hand inward) that takes place when the pitch is thrown.

Grip the changeup deep in the base of the fingers and turn it over and inward a bit on the release. That deep grip will cause friction between your hand and the baseball. The more friction, the less speed, which is good.