Had this discussion tonight with one of my students. I'd watched her a couple of weeks ago, and at that time it looked to me like she was telegraphing her changeup. The main way was slowing down as she threw it. It got hit most of the time, so I think it was a pretty good bet.

Tonight she and her dad came in, and the priority was the change. It's a good pitch for her, and it just wasn't working. I watched her throw one, then told her to try to go faster and throw it harder. That's all it took. Boom! It was back and better than ever.

This is something I see a lot. Pitchers who are afraid the changeup won't work tend to hesitate, which throws off the timing. At that point it won't work, or at least it won't work well.

That's why I say the changeup smells fear. If you throw it with fear it won't work. But if you put those doubts out of your mind and throw it hard, it will treat you right.