How to Throw a Horseshoe Changeup

The horseshoe changeup, also referred to as the circle changeup, is a pitch that is thrown 7 to 15 mph slower than your fastball. When mixed into a rotation of pitches it keeps the hitter's timing off-balance. The pitch derives its name from the location of the grip along the "horseshoe seam" on the baseball. Throw this pitch after the hitter has seen several fastballs. When effective, it causes the hitter to begin the swing early and lunge toward the ball, resulting in either a swing and a miss, a foul ball, or a weak ground ball.

Instructions

    • 1

      Assume your normal pitching position on the mound. The horseshoe changeup may be thrown from either the windup or the stretch position. If throwing from the windup, your feet will be on top of the pitching rubber, pointing at home plate. If pitching from the stretch position, the outer portion of your back foot will be placed against the rubber so it faces either first or third base, depending if you are a right-handed or left-handed pitcher.

    • 2

      Grip the baseball with the horseshoe changeup grip using your pitching hand. Make a circle with your index finger and thumb. Grasp the baseball so the horseshoe is alongside the circle you just made. The closed end of the horseshoe should be facing your palm. Your index and middle fingers rest atop the baseball with your pinkie finger on the outside to guide the ball. Exert just a small amount of pressure with the circle against the side of the baseball.

    • 3

      Go into your pitching motion. This varies depending if you are in the windup or the stretch. In the windup, your foot opposite your throwing hand steps back while your arms are simultaneously raised over or near your head. Turn your body so the shoulder opposite your throwing arm is facing the batter. Come to a balance point in which you are standing solely on your back leg and your front leg is raised with the knee bent at a 90-degree angle. At this point your body is balanced, not moving forward or backward toward or away from the plate. Continue the pitching motion and extend your arms until you are forming a "T" with your glove hand pointing toward the batter and the baseball held out behind your back shoulder.

      For the stretch motion, you must lower the ball and stop it for a second when you have it about chest or belt high. Failure to do so is a balk. Resume motion and lift your front leg, come to a balance point and extend your arms as when pitching from a windup.

    • 4

      Release the horseshoe changeup in the exact same place you release your fastball. The goal is to deceive the batter into thinking you are throwing a fastball. Therefore, the motion and release need to be identical. The release point will vary slightly from pitcher to pitcher, but it should occur shortly after your front leg plants down on the mound and after your throwing hand passes your ear. A left-handed pitcher's hand will pronate slightly clockwise on the release, while a right-handed pitcher's hand will pronate counterclockwise.