Fastball, Change-Up:The informed coach will be concerned with teaching only the fastball to pre-teenagers which strengthens the youngster's arm and helps them to develop rhythm and control. Learning the value of changing speeds should be stressed next. Begin with the change-up and progress to the curveball as the player matures, and their arm strengthens. Inevitably, players may attempt to learn the curveball (before they should) on their own but this should not be allowed during practices and games.
Fastball: A good fastball is the result of proper mechanics and a smooth, rhythmical delivery. Maximum control and velocity will depend on:
1. Good coiling and uncoiling leg and body action
2. Strong push off the front edge of the rubber
3. Quick snap of the elbow, wrist and fingers
4. Smooth follow-through. The ball should be held comfortably towards the end of the fingers, not choked back in the palm of the hand. The grip should be firm but not tight. The ball should be thrown over-hand and gripped across the seams.
Change-Up: The purpose of the change-up is to upset the batter's timing and force them to hit the ball off-balance. The secret is to reduce the velocity of the ball without appearing to change the pitching motion. Instead of driving off the rubber, the pitcher should try to leave their push-off foot planted against the rubber, or drag it rather than driving with it. The straight change may be thrown by using either two, three or four fingers and the thumb to grip the ball, holding it well back in the hand. The fingers are pointed up at release, keeping the finger tips off the ball, and the wrist is kept stiff or locked, with no downward snap. The pitcher should exaggerate a low follow-through since this pitch has a tendency to be thrown high when first learned.
