A strong arm is one of the key components in fastpitch softball pitching, but there are other steps to being successful. Equally important are grip, approach, stance, form and your push off the pitching plate. The pitcher must ...
Slow pitch softball is usually a hitter's game. The pitcher is not trying to strike out the batter. He is trying to induce fly balls, pop-ups and ground balls with various pitches in excellent locations. Pitchers have to work o...
Hitting a slow-pitch softball can be a foreign concept, especially to players who have a history playing primarily fast-pitch softball or baseball. While the swing remains largely the same no matter what speed the ball is pitch...
Hitting a softball for distance requires a powerful, rapid bat speed at impact. It is a must in slow-pitch softball, where the batters supply all the power on a high-arc pitch. Quick hands to build bat speed come from skillful ...
Driving the ball to right field in slow-pitch softball can pay dividends for you and your team. Slow-pitch softball is a high-scoring game with a lot of long hits. Pitchers are not going to shut down the opposition. However, go...
Slow-pitch softball hitters who want to hit the ball to open areas should take their stance in the back of the batter's box and attack the ball. Standing in the rear of the batter's box gives good hitters a chance to read the p...
Generally, discussions about hitting for power in slow-pitch softball center around bat speed, weight transfer or both. Although these factors are important, the fact a slow pitch doesn't provide opposite resistance as a fast p...
Learning to hit the ball where you want it to go is vital in slow-pitch softball. Although some of the bigger and more powerful hitters are capable of driving the ball for distance and hitting home runs on a consistent basis, m...
Play slow-pitch softball for enough years and you will get a few long hits that draw praise and pats on the back from your teammates. However, you won't be truly valuable to your team unless you are a power hitter who hits the ...
Hitting the ball in slow-pitch softball is relatively easy. Pitchers are not trying to strike out batters and as the ball moves toward the strike zone, hitters' eyes grow wide as they anticipate a long hit. But intelligent pitc...
When you go to the mound in slow-pitch softball, you are soon in control of the game. No action takes place until you step on the pitching rubber and deliver the ball to home plate. But unlike baseball or fast-pitch softball, t...
Hitting the ball consistently in slow-pitch softball represents a different kind of challenge then hitting in fast-pitch softball or baseball. Most hitters can make contact in slow-pitch softball without any problem. But drivin...
Developing into a consistent power hitter in slow-pitch softball is not just about swinging from your heels and attempting to drive every pitch high and deep. Slow-pitch hitting requires timing, a strong weight shift and the ab...
Fast-pitch softball is a competitive game played by skilled players at a high level. Slow-pitch softball is often a recreational game played in after-work leagues or at family picnics. While one game is played at a fast pace an...
The phrase "UTrip" is short for USSSA, or the United States Specialty Sports Association. The USSSA was founded as the United States Slow-Pitch Softball Association in 1968. It has evolved into one of softball's major national ...
The former is geared to competitive athletes; the latter is suited to recreational leagues and players of all ages and abilities.
Slow-pitch softball is a game that usually features a lot of hitting and a number of home runs. Pitchers might seem to be merely extra infielders whose main job is to get the ball over the plate so it can be put into play; howe...
Slow-pitch softball suits children and adults. It is a team game in which every position is of equal importance. The ball is pitched slowly to the batter, resulting in more hits, more runs, catches and throws. Softball bats com...
Slow-pitch softball is largely a hitter's game that features long home runs and big numbers on the scoreboard, but teams that win in slow-pitch softball often have expert pitchers. Slow-pitch hurlers don't intimidate batters or...
Slow-pitch softball can be a game of opportunity for power hitters. Unlike baseball or fast-pitch softball, you don't have the challenge of facing a pitcher who is trying to overpower you with fastballs that challenge your reac...
Softball and football are different in many ways. In the U.S., softball comes in two forms: slow pitch and fast pitch. Generally, in North America, when someone mentions football, they are usually referring to the sport played ...
Unlike many other sports, which are timed, softball does not have a time limit but rather a set number of outs for each team. This can make it difficult to predict how long a game will last, but it also gives teams the chance t...
The curveball is a specialty pitch used in both softball and baseball. Slow-pitch softball pitchers learn it to keep the batter off-balance. To effectively throw a curveball, start with the proper grip on the softball and use ...
Despite their use of bats, balls and gloves, fast pitch and slow pitch softball have a number of differences. Fast pitch attracts competitive players, while softball remains popular with recreational level players. You will not...
Softball is a low-impact sport that can be played by kids and seniors alike. The popularity of intramural, competitive and noncompetitive, just-for-fun leagues has exploded across America, and joining a local league can help se...
Power hitting dominates slow-pitch softball. Pitchers are not interested in trying to strike out batters but are merely trying to make batters feel uncomfortable when swinging. The idea that most slow pitchers are trying to ope...
Anyone who's ever watched a few minutes of a rec-league softball game has probably seen a big guy taking flailing hacks at the ball, swinging with all of his might, but popping it up for an easy out. Being a good hitter in soft...
A screwball is a type of pitch in softball that is designed to break or move the same direction as the pitcher's throwing hand. Generally, breaking pitches such as a curve ball for right-handers move to the left, while a left-h...
Hitting the ball hard in slow-pitch softball seems easy. The pitcher is not trying to strike you out. Instead, he is just floating the ball over the plate, allowing you to take a shuffle step in the batter's box and a powerful ...
When you speak of bunting techniques in softball, you are talking about fast-pitch softball. Bunting is banned in slow-pitch. If you bunt, or make a motion construed as bunting by chopping down on the ball, you will be called o...
Slow-pitch softball is like baseball with a few differences. In pitching, the pitcher in slow-pitch softball throws underhanded while baseball pitchers throw over-handed. Underhanded pitches are a little more difficult when it ...
In slow-pitch softball, the catcher can indeed throw a base runner out at first base. However, the ways this can happen are limited compared to the fast-pitch game. Because of the differences in rules, there are only a couple o...
Slow, high-arcing pitches characterize slow-pitch softball. The batters in slow-pitch don't have to be concerned with pitch speed or breaking balls, but using the right mechanics is still important to achieve optimum results. F...
The adult softball programs for men and women are the largest programs in the ASA with several categories of competition, including slow pitch softball. The ASA rules specifically tailored for slow pitch games primarily deal wi...
Many 7- and 8-year-old girls are still mastering the proper softball swing. Bat control and speed are the most important considerations when selecting the right equipment. Players in this age group vary greatly in size, speed a...
Slow-pitch softball is a game mostly for younger kids and recreational players. Many rec leagues are co-ed, so the rules for slow-pitch softball are the same for both men and women, except in men's competitive Class A and B lea...
A slider in slow pitch softball is a form of curve ball. The slider is a simple pitch that can be mastered in very little time. Used in softball and baseball, the slider is designed to curve slightly as it nears the batter. The...
They are played on the same type of fields, use the same types of equipment and play by many rules that are similar. Yet there are major differences between baseball --- often called hardball --- and softball. Softball may appe...
Men's slow pitch is a popular sport played by men of all ages for recreation and exercise. Many men participate in organized slow pitch softball or organize weekly games with friends. Proper grip on a softball bat influences th...
While the sports contain many differences, fast pitch and slow pitch softball have many similarities as well. Much of the equipment and many of the rules and regulations apply to both sports, as the sports essentially use the s...
Slow-pitch softball is a variation of softball in which each team pitches to their own batters, every batter gets only four pitches to hit a fair ball and the ball must be pitched with an arc between 6 and 12 feet. While in mo...
Softball remains a relatively friendly sport, but a code of ethics still exists to maintain the integrity of the game. The Amateur Softball Association's code of ethics also applies to the umpires, who must maintain a high leve...
The Amateur Softball Association of America is the governing body for the sport in the United States. It administers more than 100 tournaments annually, including the ASA National Championships, the Disney Hall of Fame Tourname...
Slow pitch softball is usually a high-scoring game that regularly features home runs. Timing the ball in slow-pitch softball is much easier than it is in fast pitch softball or baseball. The pitcher is not trying to strike out ...
Men's recreational softball exists at a number of levels and you will find these games in nearly every city in the country. Most of these leagues follow rules designed by the Amateur Softball Association. Teams use these rules ...
Industry trade group Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association reports that slowpitch softball is one of the top seven most played team sports in the country. The sport earns its name thanks to a slow-moving, high-arcing pitch t...
Slow pitch softball is a popular participation sport played at both the competitive and recreational levels. It is often high scoring because pitchers are not trying to blaze the ball by the batter; they are trying to drop the ...
There is no crying in baseball and no bunting in slow-pitch softball. Although both sports use bats and balls, the differences in baseball and fast-pitch softball, compared to slow-pitch softball, are profound. Slow-pitch softb...
Baseball and slow-pitch softball are essentially the same game but have some notable differences. Both sports have pitchers, catchers, bases, fielders and hitters. Both sports are played in innings and have an umpire enforcing ...
Every year, softball bat companies strive to improve the materials, technologies and features used to make slow-pitch softball bats. In 2009, the variety of bats wasn't any different, but the best slow-pitch softball bat in 200...
Bat sizes and types began to be standardized and regulated by the International Softball Federation, established in 1951. Though fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball can be quite different games, the bats used in either format ar...
Bat head speed at impact is the key to hitting the ball hard in slow-pitch softball. To develop maximum bat speed, you need to have a bat that feels comfortable in your hands, one that you can swing through the hitting zone qui...
Finding the proper bat in slow-pitch softball is a matter of size, strength and comfort for the batter. It all depends on the type of hitter that you are and what you want to accomplish at the plate. If you're a power hitter, y...
Starting in the late 1800s, softball eventually split into two divisions of play: slow pitch and fast pitch. Fast pitch follows many of the same rules as baseball, while slow pitch is not designed around the speed and rougher p...
In 2011, the United States Slow Pitch Softball Association announced the plan to "revamp testing procedures to reduce the possibility of improved performance of carbon fiber bats," making bats with the old USSSA Bat Performance...
The game play of slow pitch softball, fast pitch softball and baseball are all similar, but there are a few rules variations between them. Likewise, the equipment for the sports, specifically the type of bat used, are similar b...
Buying a slow pitch softball bat does not have to be an expensive venture. Selecting the right piece of hardware for competition can make all the difference. The Amateur Softball Association of America -- the governing body for...
Slow-pitch softball is a power game. When buying a high-end composite bat, players seek maximum distance and the biggest possible "sweet spot." Durability is also important because the best bats often cost more than $300. "Comp...
Slow-pitch softball is a game that features a lot of scoring and home runs. Pitchers lob the ball to the plate and seemingly invite the hitter to whale on the pitch with a hard swing. However, those pitchers are often trying to...
Softball started as an indoor baseball game played during the winter. The only differences between the sports were the larger, softer ball and underhand delivery of the pitch. SoftballPerformance.com dates the games origins to ...
Finding a good slow-pitch softball bat is the key to getting big hits. Knowing which bats are top rated can help you get the most bang for your buck and the best plays on the field. Before you buy, check your league rules on th...
Softball originated in Chicago, with the first official women's team being organized in 1895, approximately eight years after the game was created for men. The first women's team was formed at Chicago's West Division High Schoo...
Being the star of your softball team may be as easy as picking the right bat. Top-rated slow pitch softball bats have high customer ratings, positive feedback from users and support from teams out to win big. Slow pitch softbal...
Softball's roots are firmly planted in another popular sport known as baseball. Beginning as an indoor variation to baseball, softball takes on two forms of play. Slow-pitch refers to an easier, slower pitch of the ball with ab...
Softball bats come in various weights and lengths, not just 34 inches. A 34 inch bat is considered the top-end of the length spectrum for softball bats, used for taller, stronger players. A shorter person may have trouble swing...
Slow pitch softball originated when a Yale alum, excited over the news of the Yale football team's victory over rival Harvard, tossed a boxing glove at a nearby Harvard grad. The Harvard supporter grabbed a nearby oar -- they w...
Slowpitch softball is a recreational team sport formed to give batters a better chance at hitting the ball than in fastpitch softball. Slowpitch softball bats are typically the same length as the fastpitch bat but can be up to...
Slow-pitch softball is a popular sport played by men and women of all ages. Slow-pitch softball can be easier than fast-pitch softball for beginners, as the pace of the game is more manageable due to the slower pitching. Althou...
Recreational softball leagues primarily play the slow-pitch version of the game. Characterized by its inclusive rules to promote participation among many skill levels, slow-pitch softball is best known for the high-arcing pitch...
Due to the many rules of slow pitch softball, umpires are used to execute a game that is fair and accurate. Umpires need to be authoritative and know the rules of the game. Since there is typically only one slow pitch softball ...
Despite the perception that slow-pitch softball is a casual game, it requires hustle and mental focus, even from its umpires. Slow-pitch softball presents umpires with many of the same challenges as baseball, with almost identi...
Slow pitch softball is a high scoring game that features a lot of long hits and big innings. While there are some sluggers in the game who can muscle up and belt the ball over the fence with consistency, the best hitters in sof...
Softball bats come in various lengths, weights and material components. Finding the right bat that suits your hitting style and physical strength may help to improve your batting average by improving timing and hitting sweet sp...
Slow pitch softball is a game that features a lot of hitting and run scoring. While women don't hit as many home runs as men do, women's slow pitch softball features a lot of long rallies and extra-base hits. When hitting the b...
Slow pitch softball is played primarily in amateur and recreation leagues. Slow pitch seemingly gives batters the edge with the ball covering the distance between the pitcher's mound and home plate at reduced speed. The distanc...
The baseball lexicon has come to include MOI, BESR, BBCOR, trampoline effect, balance points and center of percussion, all terms used to measure the effectiveness of bats. The Ultra bat performs extremely well in all of those c...
The first women's team was created in Chicago in 1895 and the sport moved outdoors. For a time, softball was called "kitten ball." Rules were standardized in 1925 and the name softball was adopted. Softball demonstrations b...
Teaching slow-pitch softball players the proper techniques of catching, running and hitting requires using the appropriate drills, which allow the players to acquire and practice new skills. Players can quickly incorporate skil...
Slow-pitch softball is played by men throughout the United States, and these leagues are taken seriously by participants. Many players will play three or more times per week. As a result, the need to improve overall play is ess...
Interference and obstruction in slow-pitch softball are among the most misunderstood rules in softball. Any time a fielder appears to be in the way of a baserunner or a baserunner gets in the way of a fielder, many players, coa...
Slow-pitch softball is one of the most popular recreational sports in the United States. It is played in many recreational and competitive leagues. Slow-pitch softball is largely a hitter's game because players use bigger bats ...
Slow pitch softball gets its name from the fact that pitchers must put a 6-foot arc on their pitches, slowing the speed of incoming pitches. The Amateur Softball Association of America is the governing body of softball in the U...
In slow-pitch softball, players need a trusted bat capable of generating big power. Yet when looking to purchase a new slow-pitch softball bat, hitters would be wise to make certain the bat complies with Amateur Softball Associ...
Slow-pitch softball usually features long home runs and high-scoring games. The best hitters know how to drive the ball with power to all fields and take advantage of mistakes by the pitchers. However, it's also a game of funda...
Choosing the right slow pitch softball bat can be daunting, but finding the best bat for you can mean the difference between a long out and a home run.
Many players do not think about the quality of the softball they use, lavishing attention instead on their bats. However, balls are just as, if not more, important than what bat you use. Using a ball with the right core and com...
Even with changes to rules only allowing composite bats with an exit speed of 98 mph or less, there are still some great bats you can use in ASA slowpitch softball. The great thing about these bats is they get hotter with each ...
The underhand toss is important in many sports and recreation venues. It is most notably used in softball, which employs both slow-pitch and fast-pitch underhand throws at various levels of competition. The underhand toss is al...
The Amateur Softball Association of America, or ASA, is the official governing body of the softball in the United States. In an effort to keep a level playing field for all players, the ASA employs a bat certification program, ...
There are a number of composite bats that can be used for slow pitch softball. However, certain bats give players a decided advantage, especially in a distance contest such as a home run derby. Not all bats are approved for ASA...
Softball has been played for over 120 years internationally. Slow-pitch softball has increased in popularity to the point to where now there are fully stocked leagues from Australia to Hawaii. Official slow-pitch softball rules...
The rules of slow-pitch softball are designed to lessen the speed of the pitches, making the game more friendly to the batters and leading to higher-scoring games than its fast pitch counterpart. Most recreational and coed leag...
The first thing to remember when pitching slow pitch softball is that it is a hitter's game. Unlike baseball or fast pitch softball, no matter how well you pitch, batters are likely to get a lot of hits off you. Relax, have fun...
You need to consider several factors when buying a slow-pitch softball bat, including the rules governing equipment in the league in which you will be playing. Rules can vary depending on the league. The standard size for a slo...
Advancements in technology have led to the development of bats with increasingly higher batted ball speed. This has resulted in growing concern for player safety. As a result, most softball regulatory bodies restrict the types...
Slow-pitch softball is a game of big hits and big rallies. Sluggers who belt long home runs are the most feared hitters in the game, but you don't have to be powerfully built to be an effective slow-pitch hitter. By using all y...
The exact softball used will depend on not only the individual league but also the style of pitching, whether slow pitch or fast pitch. Manufacturers such as Easton, Rawlings, Team Express and Wilson produce softballs suitable for
Slow pitch softball is a high-scoring game that features a lot of long hits and big innings. The game is dominated by bigger, stronger hitters who use an uppercut swing to launch long home runs. However, there are many excellen...
Slow pitch softball bat rules set specific size, weight and material requirements. These rules differ from fast pitch and baseball bat rules. The speed with which a player can swing correlates with a bat's weight and length, ac...
Slow-pitch softball game is normally associated with home runs, long hits and high scores. Pitching is often an afterthought because the ball is merely lobbed in and players are allowed to swing away at the ball. However, an ef...
Slow-pitch softball is usually a game associated with high scores, big hits and long home runs. Pitching would seem to be a small part of the game, particularly when played at a recreational level. However, an experienced slow-...
Slow-pitch softball is noted for its big-time sluggers and high scores. Many of the players are powerful hitters looking to drive any pitch they can reach out of the ballpark with bats that are usually quite large. Pitchers hav...
Hitting in slow-pitch softball appears to be rather easy. Instead of facing a baseball or a fast-pitch softball, batters stand in the batter's box, wait for the ball to descend slowly and pick out where they want to hit the bal...
Slow pitch softball has rules that are designed to take excessive speed off pitches. Slow pitch softball is more batter friendly, and often the rules lead to higher-scoring games than fast pitch softball. Slow pitch softball is...
Slow-pitch softball is frequently played in leagues for young girls whose skills are developing and among adults as a form of sport recreation. Slow-pitch isn't intended to be highly competitive--in young girls' leagues, oftent...
Hitting in slow-pitch softball is one of the great joys of the game. Unlike baseball or fast-pitch softball, the challenge is not making solid contact. Most experienced players can do that with consistency. But it's not about b...
