The game of fast-pitch softball is one that is dominated by pitchers. Pitchers can throw fastballs that reach speeds of 70 miles per hour on the radar gun, which is the equivalent of a baseball thrown at 90-plus miles per hour. Pitchers use a windmill style to throw risers, drops, curves and changeups. In modified softball, pitchers are not allowed to use a windmill-style delivery nor can they do anything deceptive when they wind up and pitch.
No Windmill Delivery
The windmill delivery is effective in fast-pitch softball because it helps the pitcher gain momentum when she throws toward home plate, and the delivery is hard to follow for the batter. In modified softball, the pitcher cannot bring her arm around a second time in a windmill fashion. She may bring the ball back to shoulder height, take a step forward and release the ball when it is at thigh level. She may continue with her follow through until her hand is at shoulder height. She may not continue past shoulder level after she lets go of the ball because this is considered deceptive.
Pitching Rubber
The pitcher must begin her delivery from the pitching rubber. Her step toward home plate must be straight and direct. She cannot step to the right or left because this is considered deceptive. She must finish her delivery while she is standing in the pitcher's circle, which has a diameter of 18 feet. She cannot finish the delivery outside the circle or the pitch is considered illegal.
No Leaping
In fast-pitch softball, the pitcher regularly leaps toward home plate with her opposite leg to gain momentum. This is her left leg if she is a right-handed pitcher. In modified softball, there can be no leaping toward home plate. In addition to giving the pitcher extra force on her fastball and rise pitch, leaping is also considered a deceptive move because it is confusing to the batter. The pitcher may not take a step off the pitching rubber and then step back on it to create a rocking motion. That is considered illegal in modified softball.
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