Dictionary definition of “Bugs Bunny changeup”

Bugs Bunny changeup

n. in baseball, a slow pitch disguised as a fast ball which seems to stop in front of the plate. Subjects: English, United States, Baseball, Sports & Recreation, Slang

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Citations: [1993 Javier Morales Arizona Daily Star (June 30) “Barrett’s ‘super slow ball’ baffles Edmonton” p. 5D: I perplexed them with my super slow ball.…I think I remember Bugs Bunny saying that once.] 1997 John Henderson Denver Post (Colo.) (May 5) “Schilling might have looked nice in purple”: Catcher Jeff Reed calls the superb changeup by Philadelphia’s Mark Portugal a “Bugs Bunny changeup.” Why? “Because it just stops right there,” Reed said. 2004 Mark Whicker @ Omaha, Neb. Mercury News (San Jose, California) (June 25) “Fullerton’s Sarver an unlikely story”: The newest entry into the baseball vernacular is “Bugs Bunny changeup.” Translation: It rushes up to the plate and then suddenly stops. Sarver fed the Gamecocks carrots and lettuce all night.

Posted 29 Jun 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

From ADS-L, Oct 15, 2005:
‘Surely the “Bug Bunny change-up” is so-called because of the scene in the classic “Baseball Bugs” (1946) where Bugs is able to ring up multiple strikes on the same ultraslow pitch? ("One-two-three-strikes-y er-out!")
--Ben Zimmer

by Tom Kysilko 20 Dec 06, 0319 GMT