Baseball: The Effectiveness of Changing Speeds

I just thought I'd express my views on how an important changing speed is. I'm winging it, so bear with me. I guess this could be considered an article.

Whether I am watching a baseball game or playing in one, I always hear people asking, "How fast is the pitcher throwing?"
"Does he have a good curve?"
Sure, it's good to throw a blistering fastball in there to make the catcher's mitt make a big “POP!” sound, but if a guy's only pitch is that glove-popping fastball, he won't make it near the big leagues. A change of speeds is the best way to get hitters out if you want to be successful. A sudden change in speed gets a hitter off balance, and hopefully your fielders will field the ball correctly and make an easy out.

There are four kinds of off-speed pitches (that I know of):
• Changeup
• Sinker (Not a big change of speed, but it does change the speed a bit.)
• Knuckle ball (This pitch is a lost art form. I love to throw it!)
• Ephus (This pitch is seldom used, but it is a change of speed, nonetheless. It is also sometimes referred to as a “lollipop.”)

Changeup grips:
Three fingered changeup: http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_grips.htm#q3
Circle change: http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_grips.htm#q4
Fosh changeup: http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitching_grips.htm#q5


Now, don’t get me wrong. I love seeing 100mph fastballs, amazing strikeouts, and a 12-6 curve as much as the next guy, but most of those pitchers in the big leagues do one thing right: change speeds.

Thanks to UNCheelsfan07 of the athletes.com forums for providing me with such a great website about pitching.

Any comments welcome and appreciated.

MOP

"Do or do not. There is no try."
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Well I seem to disagree. While I'm not saying that an offspeed pitch wont consistanly strikeout batters, I am saying that you can be succesful without an offspeed pitch. Just look at some of the leagues top mid-relievers. And plus I think more importantly than speed I would say location is a top priority. Because regardless of how offspeed you throw the ball give one right down the middle to pretty much any major league baseball player and you might as well add a run on the board before they even hit it.

ORIGINAL: BigGuy411

Well I seem to disagree. While I'm not saying that an offspeed pitch wont consistanly strikeout batters, I am saying that you can be succesful without an offspeed pitch. Just look at some of the leagues top mid-relievers. And plus I think more importantly than speed I would say location is a top priority. Because regardless of how offspeed you throw the ball give one right down the middle to pretty much any major league baseball player and you might as well add a run on the board before they even hit it.

If a major-leaguer threw only fastballs, it'd get clobbered. Changing speeds is very important, no matter if it's a changeup or breaking pitch. An offspeed pitch gets the hitter off balance, and makes them hit it badly. I never said the batters had to strike out,  I said that they would get out.
 
MOP

"Do or do not. There is no try."
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www.powerliftingforums.com
www.ironmass.com
www.hardgainer.co.uk
www.brothersofiron.com

I agree with both of you. Changing speed and throwing for location is what pitching is all about. To be a successful pitcher is to know when and were to throw each pitch depending on the situation. If you can throw for location with a number of pitches you can be very good, but combine that with knowing when to throw each pitch were depending on the situation you are in and what batter you are facing and you will be great.
-Kyle

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