Fanrecap
The essence of the kick change lies in its mechanics: it starts with a circle change grip but is thrown like a fastball or slider. The key move?
The pitcher spikes their middle finger on the seam, “kicking” the ball upon release. This creates a unique spin, allowing it to sink and tail to the arm side, deceiving hitters with slider-like initial movement.
Fans may recognize its action as reminiscent of a good split change, which has been both a staple in Japanese baseball and a thriving innovation in recent years.
Andrés Muñoz’s [of the Mariners] usage of the kick change injects another layer of complexity to his formidable arsenal. With fastballs that have ample run and a killer slider, a changeup disguised as a slider only to dive in an unexpected direction is a hitter’s nightmare. More
Throwing the kick change. Here
Interesting. But my favorite pitch is the bean ball, one that precipitates a bench-clearing brawl. I guess that’s because I’d rather watch hockey.
I’m interested in these Yankees torpedo bats. I thought bats had to meet strict standards.
@Harry — I read a little about this a few days ago even though I’m not much of a baseball fan. Yes, there are standards for the bats, but within those standards there’s a bit of wiggle room. And so the Yankees have wiggled a bit.
MLB struck the world series in 1994. I haven’t watched a game since.
Pitches that give batters fits – had an uncle who pitched for a fast-pitch softball team. He had a riser ball that, if it went over the plate at the batter’s shoulder height, would often go over the backstop.
@Harry They’re starting to write about the Yankees striking out at a higher rate with their new bat. It probably won’t catch on if the stats go sour.
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/new-york-yankees/news/yankees-torpedo-bats-problem-legality/be5c71f99334f591ee383b38
@Cynic There’s serious talk of a lockout next year. It’s always about the money but I wish they would make MLB more competitive for smaller market teams.
https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/mlb/mlb-weighs-salary-cap-potential-lockout-looms-2026-rcna200566
Dr. Tar – I would imagine that it takes a little time to get used to a new bat like that, but it also makes me think about Judge out-performing Babe Ruth, to which I say: Let Judge use a 1920’s bat and ball and see how he does along with the lack of computerized swing and stance analysis.
The average fan can’t go to a sporting event anymore w/o mortgaging the house or taking out a loan of some type….
seats at least. $ 200 per, beers $15, A hot dog ( A hot dog) at least $5, and peanuts and popcorn even more – just to watch pampered millionaires “play” A sport.