TEMPE, Ariz. — Much like how the sweeper took over baseball last year, the kick-changeup has been baseball’s new phenomenon this spring training with more pitchers testing out the trendy pitch. Shaun Anderson, however, has been throwing the kick-changeup since 2019 but he’s now got the pitch to where he wants it.

It all started because Anderson wanted more drop from his changeups since his were coming out more flat. Anderson tends to put a lot more spin on the ball because he’s what’s called a “supinator,” which is the technical way to say he typically throws with his hand on the outside of the ball instead of on top.

TEMPE, ARIZ. — When you watch a pitcher’s bullpen, you usually hear two things, the buzz of the ball and the pop of the catcher’s mitt. But when Ryan Johnson steps on the mound, you’ll hear the buzz of the ball, the pop of the catcher’s mitt and him snapping his fingers.

It may not be every pitch, but Johnson snaps his fingers four times after he finishes his delivery on most pitches.

“Buzz, pop, snap, snap, snap, snap”

TEMPE, Ariz. — In the backfields of the Angels spring training complex, you will often find Logan O’Hoppe catching bullpens. Right next to him is usually Travis d’Arnaud, sometimes sitting on the ground with his legs crossed but always intently watching O’Hoppe’s every move.

The two have been joined at the hip since spring training started, with O’Hoppe, 25, peppering d’Arnaud, 36, with questions and d’Arnaud taking O’Hoppe under his wing to mentor and help O’Hoppe in his development.

Jeremy Accardo was a pitching coach in professional baseball for the past eight years and worked with some of the best pitchers in the world. But when the opportunity arose to come home and coach at his local university, he couldn't pass it up.

When Accardo heard ASU was looking for a new pitching coach, he made sure his friends who knew head coach Willie Bloomquist knew that he was interested in the job.

TEMPE – Momentum is a funny phenomenon in hockey. Momentum can shift at any point in a game. One shot can switch the momentum one way or another, just ask No. 12 Arizona State hockey.

Despite an early power play goal, the Sun Devils were stuck in their own zone for the majority of the opening frame, with senior goaltender Luke Pavicich fending off No. 6 Denver’s relentless attacks. Denver carried its strong play to a 3-1 lead halfway through the second. The Pioneers had the momentum.

October 20, 2024
by
Jack Janes,

Arizona State University
Jack Janes is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism graduate student assigned to cover Chandler for AZPreps365.com

With four games left in the season, Chandler’s girls volleyball team sits at 0-13 overall and 0-5 in region play, but you would not guess that by watching the players’ demeanor on the court.

Despite the challenging season, the Wolves continue to play every game with an abundance of energy. Pl...