1. All in Good Fun
Adult recreation softball leagues have an emphasis on fun and teamwork. Many businesses organize co-ed softball teams to promote morale and teamwork within the company. Although competition and winning generally aren't the focus of these teams, most adult leagues follow the rules of the game regarding base stealing, outs and scoring. Adult recreational leagues incorporate slow pitching, meaning the pitcher throws the ball underhand. This type of pitching allows less experienced players to compete with skilled players and encourages hitting.
2. Girls Only
Girls' fastpitch softball leagues tend to attract competitive athletes. As the name implies, fastpitch softball pitchers have the ability to throw the ball at extremely high speeds, with some skilled pitchers reaching speeds seen in the major leagues. The pitchers use a windmill motion to throw the ball underhand and perfecting the technique can take years of practice. Girls competitive fastpitch softball leagues foster future collegiate and Olympic players. Players in these leagues have the opportunity to compete at a national and international level during tournaments
3. Hey Pitcher, Pitcher, Pitcher
Most young softball players begin their career on a T-ball team and transition to fastpitch softball by first competing in a coach-pitch league. In coach-pitch softball leagues, the teams' coaches throw the pitches to their own batters. The coaches aren't allowed to play the ball after it leaves their hands. A pitcher stands beside the opposing team's coach and makes the infield plays following a hit. The coaches pitch the ball slowly so the batters learn how to hit the ball from the air rather than from a T-stand. Softball players typically compete in a coach-pitch league for a season or two before transitioning to a league with youth pitchers.
4. Learn to Pitch
After graduating from a coach-pitch league, young softball players are ready to try their hand at pitching. Youth recreation leagues typically allow pitchers to get the ball over the plate however they can, as long as they are throwing the ball underhand. In these recreation leagues, young pitchers can begin to experiment with pitching the ball with the fastpitch windmill motion. Youth recreation leagues are the first experience pitchers, catchers and batters have with pitches thrown with the intention of a strike rather than a hit. Recreation leagues aren't competitive in that players need to try out to be on a team.
5. The Next Level
Players who excel at the sport can compete in collegiate and professional leagues. Most colleges have a women's softball team ranging from intramural to Division I. The United States has offered a professional women's softball league inconsistently since the late 1970s. The summer Olympic games provides a platform for the best players in the world to showcase their talents and compete internationally.
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