changeup

or change-up

[ cheynj-uhp ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of changeup¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

He pairs his mid-90s fastball with a curveball, changeup and slider — all three of which registered whiff rates of 44% or higher last season.

From Los Angeles Times

Cole got ahead of Freeman with a 1-and-2 count and Freeman fouled off a 93-mph changeup before getting just enough of a 99.5-mph fastball on the inside corner to fist a flare to shallow center for a two-run single that cut the Yankees’ lead to 5-3.

From Los Angeles Times

“I got down to two strikes and was able to foul off that changeup, which was huge,” Freeman said.

From Los Angeles Times

The No. 2 starter in the Yankees postseason rotation, much of Rodón’s swing-and-miss came from his slider and changeup.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead of leaning on his signature changeup, he bullied hitters with cutters and fastballs.

From Los Angeles Times