Eephus Pitch
Also known as: eephus, junk pitch, lob pitch
The eephus is a very slow, high-arcing pitch thrown with little arm speed, often 30-40 mph slower than a fastball. It is built to disrupt a hitter's timing.
A typical changeup aims for a modest speed gap of 8-12 mph off the fastball. The eephus goes to the opposite extreme. It sometimes arrives in the 50-70 mph range, no matter how hard the pitcher's fastball is. Thrown with a soft, almost lobbed release and a high arc, it relies entirely on disrupting timing, not on movement or velocity. It is also thrown rarely, often only once or twice a game, and some pitchers throw it once in a career. That makes it more of a surprise weapon and mental disruptor than a repeatable pitch in an arsenal.
The eephus carries real risk. If a hitter times it well, its lack of velocity gives an unusually long look at the ball. A squared-up eephus can be hit extremely hard. It is generally thrown only in specific counts, often when the pitcher is ahead in the count or in low-stakes situations. It works best as a rarely used changeup-of-changeups, not a pitch a hitter can prepare for across an at-bat.
Example
Up in the count 0-2, the veteran pitcher floated a 58 mph eephus pitch that arced high over the plate, freezing the hitter who took it for a called strike three.
Why it matters
The eephus is timing disruption in its purest form. Even for pitchers who never throw one, it shows how much hitting success depends on anticipated timing rather than pure bat speed.
How it shows up on video
On video, the eephus is unmistakable: sharply reduced arm speed through the delivery and a high, looping arc compared to every other pitch in the outing.
Common mistakes
- Throwing it too often, which removes the surprise element that makes it effective and gives hitters time to prepare for it
- Locating it over the heart of the plate, where its lack of velocity makes it an easy target if the hitter is not surprised
- Using it in high-leverage counts, where a mistimed swing could still produce a hard-hit ball at a costly moment
Frequently asked questions
Is the eephus a legal pitch?
Yes — there is no rule against extremely slow pitches, as long as the delivery follows normal pitching rules (no quick pitch, no balk with runners on).
Related terms
- Effective VelocityEffective velocity is the idea that how fast a pitch feels depends on location, not just the radar gun. Inside pitches feel faster, outside and low ones slower.
- Pitch MixA pitcher's pitch mix is the combination and proportion of pitch types thrown — for example 55% fastball, 20% slider, 15% changeup, 10% curveball — and how that mix shifts by count and batter.
- Changeup (Pitching)The changeup is an off-speed pitch thrown with fastball arm speed but held deeper in the hand to reduce velocity by 8–15 mph, disrupting timing.
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