Many softball pitchers want to dominate the game by striking out batters with a hard fastball. Fast pitch softball is a low-scoring game that features many strikeouts. Pitchers who have a dominant fastball can cut off scoring opportunities by striking out batters. However, pitchers who lack control don't have a chance to dominate with their fastball.
Command
Command from within the pitcher's circle means being able to throw whatever pitch you want at the moment that pitch is to be delivered. Pitchers with command can often dictate the pace and the outcome of any game. When pitchers have command, they can often think one or two steps ahead of the hitter.
Control
A pitcher with command and control has a nearly unbeatable combination. Not only can she throw whatever pitch she wants, she can put it in spots that make it difficult for batters to hit. The pitcher who has both of these characteristics makes it difficult for the batter to hit. The only way the batter can hit the pitch is to guess the pitch and the location.
Pitching Speed
The best hitters can time and hit overpowering fastballs from time to time. However, if the batter is facing a pitcher who combines a dominating fastball with the ability to change speeds and vary locations, she can feel confident that she is on top of her game. Even if she lacks great command, a pitcher who can throw a top fastball and vary her locations makes it very tough on batters to hit.
Best Results
The name of the game for pitchers is keeping batters off base and keeping runs from scoring. While strikeouts are impressive, pitchers who can get the location they want on their pitchers and constantly keep pitches low have a better chance of winning than fastball pitchers who throw the ball high in the strike zone. According to longtime pitching instructor Gerald Warner, 78 percent of all hits in softball are on pitchers thigh high or above. Only 22 percent of all hits are on pitches lower than thigh height.
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