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Change-Up Feel

Throw a slower pitch with the same arm speed so hitters cannot tell the difference.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Grip the ball deeper in your hand.

Core: Medium. Keep to your usual pitch count and compare only your own accuracy.

Ages
14 and up
Time
12 min
Players
Just you
Space
Gym or court
Bring
Softball, glove, catcher or net
Level · skill
Advanced · Pitching

The steps

How it works

  1. Grip the ball deeper in your hand.
  2. Use your normal arm speed and motion.
  3. Alternate one fastball and one change-up.
  4. Throw 10 pairs and ask your catcher which looked different.

Coaching point

Same arm, slower ball.

Safety: Count every pitch, practice included; these count toward today's total. Follow your league limits (about 50 a game at ages 8-10, 65 at 10-12, 80 at 13-14), rest after a big outing, play another position on rest days, and stop if your shoulder, elbow or back hurts.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Strike-zone game: aim at target squares on a safe backstop, and a partner marks the zones you hit. Keep to your usual number of pitches.

Challenge

Pick a target: Less (large), Core (medium), More (small). Keep to your usual pitch count and compare only your own accuracy.

Story

You are the ace painting the corners of the plate.

My best

Beat your own count

Keep to your usual pitch count and compare only your own accuracy. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

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