changeup

American  

[chaynj-uhp] / ˈtʃeɪndʒˌʌp /

Or change-up

noun

Baseball.

1. a pitch that follows one or more fastballs, delivered with the same motion as for a fastball but with less speed, intentionally disrupting the batter’s timing.

   He knows how to use his changeup to keep hitters off balance.

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Etymology

Origin of changeup

First recorded in 1940–45

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

changeup

Betting on his confounding changeup turned him into a star.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2026

Their latest innovation has been reinventing the humble changeup, a classic pitch designed to fool hitters with how slowly it moves.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Bryan Baker tied for the major-league lead with 41 saves in 2026 after discovering a new changeup grip.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

Four of the last five outs he’d recorded were strikeouts, with a different putaway pitch for each: slider, sinker, curveball, changeup.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

I completely miss one of Cala’s pitches because I mix up the fastball and changeup signals...which gives the Red Devil on third base the perfect opportunity to steal home.

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone

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