How to Throw a Straight Changeup

To be a successful baseball pitcher, you must be able to vary the speeds of your pitches. A good pitch to start with, especially for younger pitchers, is a straight changeup. The reason that pitchers can have success with the straight changeup, also known as a three-finger changeup, is because when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand, it appears to be a fastball but arrives at the plate 10 to 12 miles per hour slower. A straight changeup is also called a three-finger changeup because you use three fingers (ring, middle and index) to grip the ball instead of the normal two.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Pick up a baseball with the four seams showing. This happens when the seams on the ball are running horizontally instead of perpendicular (known as two seams).

   • 2

     Place your ring, middle and index fingers on top of the ball. To throw an effective changeup, center your three fingers on top of the ball in order.

   • 3

     Place your thumb and pinky fingers underneath the ball, touching the smooth leather (not the seams). When gripping the baseball, have your pinky and thumb touch. According to Steven Ellis (former Chicago Cubs minor league pitcher), this helps you develop a good "feel" for the pitch.

   • 4

     Hold the ball deep in the palm of your hand. This, according to Ellis, will help take speed off your pitch by maximizing the friction and decentralizing the force of the ball.