when to learn to throw a change up?

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Sep 15, 2016
40
8
My oldest DD is learning to pitch and is having some success having only been working on pitching seriously for a few months. She is moving up to 12u rec this year. Normally she is a catcher but she tried pitching in a game in 10u and had a knack for it. My question is, while her fast ball is erratic right now when should she be introduced to learning a change up pitch? She wants to hold off on going to travel ball until she figures out if pitching is going to be what she likes.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
My general rule on learning a new pitch is to introduce it once she can spot the previous pitch and hit a specific corner with command at a minimum of 60% of the time.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
It can be boring throwing a fast ball all the time, I would introduce change up as soon as you can. She might not throw it in games for a little while but get her started.

After fastball and changeup are solid you can introduce a new pitch but both should be solid first. She can go a long way with just these 2 pitches.
 
Aug 23, 2016
359
43
DD's PC waited until she could throw her fastball about 60% strikes in practice, which was probably closer to 50% in games.

She probably should have waited longer, until DD had more command of the fastball. The changeup wasn't that useful until DD learned to spot her pitches. The irony is that the better command DD has of her fastball, the less she uses her changeup. (But it's still a great weapon for her, don't get me wrong.)
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
I would start today. A change is easy to learn but takes years to master. This is why most pitchers have average change-ups.
 
Apr 28, 2014
2,316
113
Throw it as soon as possible. It takes years to master and is a true difference maker. Learn the flip change.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Flip change would not be my choice, DD throws 1 and it takes a lot of work. Easier changeups that are just as effective that take less practice.
 

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