A way to teach them to deal with a change up

[halskinner]

This is a chapter from my first book. Hope you find it useful.

TEACHING THEM TO HIT THE CHANGE UP

Here are a few of the most widely used methods of teaching a batter to hit a good change up. Nothing will ever take the place of facing a live pitcher at practice but these do help.

If you use a pitching machine;

1. You can use 2 machines at once, side by side. Have one set for a fast pitch and the other for a slow change up. Hold a ball at ready at the feeder tube for both. Every so often, 4th or 5th pitch or whenever, let a change up go from the other machine.

2. They make very soft sponge type balls that work well in most machines and produce a good change up throw.

3. Softball size plastic balls work well to imitate a change up on some machines.


Here is an inexpensive method if you do not have a pitching machine. Even if you do have a machine this is an excellent drill. Give your batter a sized down piece of broomstick handle for a bat. Take badminton birdies and throw them overhand, very fast from around 18 feet or so. Throw them at the top of the strike zone and fast. They will come in high and fast, then die and drop just like an excellent change up.

Again, these methods will all help but they DO NOT take the place of a live pitcher throwing a slow change ups to them Live pitcher's are distracting and intimidating to varying extents. Pitching machines and badminton birdies are not. They are very familiar, consistent and predictable. So is the good old coach behind them.

 

[RubberBiscuit]

I've liked what DD's coach from last year did:

Throw two balls in close sequence - calling out "ONE" or "TWO". (obviously this is done at close range behind a net)

The "TWO" immitates the need to hold the hands back and do the best ya can with hitting or fouling off that CU on 3rd strike.