Pitching is the dominant factor in fastpitch softball. Pitchers can throw the ball at speeds of 70 mph from a distance of 46 feet, which is the equivalent of a fastball in baseball thrown at better than 90 mph from a distance of 60 feet 6 inches. Pitchers can also throw curves, risers, drops and a change of pace. Softball pitchers must abide by a number of rules in order to pitch legally.
Rules
The pitcher must start her motion with her feet on the pitching rubber inside the pitching circle. She can only step forward as she pitches. If he she steps to the side or backwards, this motion is considered deceptive, and the pitch will be declared illegal. She must remain in the pitcher's circle as she finishes pitching the ball to home plate. The pitching motion must be continuous. The pitcher may not use a start-and-stop motion prior to delivering the ball.
Pitching Form
The mechanics of becoming an effective pitcher in fastpitch softball include taking a full revolution with your arm before releasing the ball. This is vital when using the windmill technique, which dominates competitive softball. With the windmill style of pitching, the pitcher starts his motion with the ball in his glove. He makes one full revolution with his arm around his body before letting the ball fly towards home plate when his arm has reached thigh height.
Types
Pitchers throw a variety of pitches in competitive softball. The fastball is a pitch thrown with great velocity. It is usually hard and straight, and, in order for it to be effective, the pitcher will throw this pitch over the inside or outside corner of the plate rather than over the middle of the plate. The riser is a pitch that jumps up as it approaches home plate, causing the batter to swing under the ball. The drop pitch is just the opposite. It sinks as it reaches home plate. The batter will either top the ball or swing and miss. A curveball thrown by a right-handed pitcher will curve down and away from a right-handed batter. A changeup is thrown like a fastball, except the pitcher places it deeper in her hand in order to slow down the velocity.
Strike Zone
The pitcher must deliver the ball over the plate in order for the ball to be a strike. The plate is 17 inches wide, and a ball that hits the outside edge of the plate is considered to be a strike. The ball must cross the plate under the batter's arm pits and over the top of his knee for the pitch to be considered a strike by the umpire.
Slowpitch Softball
Slowpitch softball is a recreational game that also requires the pitcher to throw the ball from a pitching rubber that is 46 feet from home plate. Instead of trying to fire the ball past hitters as pitchers do in the fast-pitch version of the sport, slowpitch pitchers do not have designs on striking batters out. Instead, they want to put the ball over the corners of the plate so that hitters will have a hard time hitting the ball squarely. Slow-pitch pitchers can throw straight balls, sliders, curves, spinners and backhand pitches to get batters out.
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