Variety is often the key for the best softball pitches. A powerful fastball will give you an advantage, but good hitters will be able to time this pitch and hit it hard if you don't have other pitches to go with it. A change-up and a drop pitch will help you develop into an effective big-game softball pitcher.
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The second is for " a quick return pitch," better known as "quick-pitching" the batter. But many other rules define what pitchers can and cannot do on the mound. The consequences for these acts vary.
Fastpitch softball is played around the world at the youth, high school, college and professional levels. The game is often dominated by pitchers who can throw the ball at speeds approaching 70 mph, which is the equivalent of a...
FastPitching.com estimates that the average 16- to 18-year-old softball pitcher throws between 53 and 57 mph with top speeds exceeding 60 mph. Combining this velocity with various pitches can make it difficult for a hitter to g...
Softball pitches leave the hand of the pitcher at around 60 mph for college and pro players, 50 mph for high schoolers and in the 30s and 40s for younger players. In rare cases, such as for breakout Olympian Jennie Finch, a sof...
Softball batters often encounter pitchers who avoid throwing over the middle of the plate in certain situations. A good pitcher can locate the ball over the inside or outside part of the plate and catch the average batter looki...
Hitting the inside pitch in softball requires quick hands, quick reactions and a plan of attack when the pitch is thrown. Top pitchers in competitive fast-pitch softball can throw the ball at speeds of 70 mph or faster. This de...
The windmill pitching motion in fastpitch softball puts considerable strain on the shoulder joint, rotator cuff, elbow, forearm and wrist. But good conditioning, proper mechanics and sensible pitching workloads can help pitcher...
Because the mechanics of the windmill softball pitch is underhand, some believe it to be less injurious than baseball pitching. However, in their article "Shoulder Muscle Recruitment Patterns and Related Biomechanics during Upp...
Pitching a softball requires timing, coordination, strength and confidence. The best softball pitchers can throw the ball at speeds approaching 70 mph during the day or night. While some pitchers may prefer throwing during the ...
Once you learn the low swing, the hardest thing is laying off low-outside pitches. Even if you make contact, the barrel of the bat is too far from your body to generate power. You can hit low softball pitches for distance by le...
A softball's velocity is defined as the speed and direction in which the ball is traveling. Whether you are pitching, hitting or catching a softball, you influence the softball's velocity. During a game, you can use physics to ...
Collegiate and international fast pitch softball competitions have strict rules governing all aspects of the game, including pitching. Softball pitchers must keep their rear pivot foot in contact with the pitching plate until t...
Most coaches are careful about the number of pitches a player can throw because overexertion can lead to injury. You will have to show improvement through practice before your in-game pitching load increases.
The pitcher in softball is the person who throws the ball to the catcher in a windmill-like motion, underarm, in an attempt to get the ball past the batter to the catcher behind. The ball is thrown after the umpire shouts "thro...
The whipping motion of a fastpitch softball pitcher's arm can send pitches toward the plate that compare to top baseball pitchers' in speed and movement. Softball is a serious sport, and becoming a softball pitcher takes a seri...
Girls' fastpitch softball pitching is a rapid-fire set of actions that require patience and practice to perfect. A pitcher needs to be able to relax and concentrate on every pitch to be successful. Mastering a variety of pitche...
Softball pitching plates consist of a pitching rubber and hardware that secures the rubber in the pitcher's mound. Pitching plates are manufactured in regulation sizes and come in two basic styles. Spike-down plates are practic...
The change-up is also referred to as an off-speed pitch, because the speed is slower than your other pitches. The pitcher delivers a change-up with the same motion and intensity as a fastball. When used effectively, a change-up...
Training games for softball pitching are designed to help improve your pitch accuracy and speed. While some softball pitching games help simulate typical game situations, others take the form of drills, which attempt to isolate...
Pitching a softball over the plate and into the strike zone takes practice, timing and coordination. Although the motion for pitching underhand tends to comes more naturally than pitching overhand, there are still many steps to...
If you watch women's softball closely, you'll see that when the pitcher is striding toward the plate in her delivery, she's also dragging her back foot forward. At least she's supposed to drag her pivot foot, instead of hopping...
For serious players, softball training never ends. When they are not on the field, they are in the weight room, taking fielding practice or in the batting cages. Softball teams rely on pitching machines to provide training to h...
For younger players, or for players who wish to utilize a smaller field for other reasons, softball divisions allow similar game play on a smaller field. Softball rules are divided into age- and gender-related categories, and e...
Pitchers who can throw consistently hard tend to dominate in fast-pitch softball. Pitchers can throw at speeds up to 70 mph from a distance of 43 feet, which is the equivalent of a baseball pitcher who throws 95-plus mph. Pitch...
Pitchers tend to control the action in fast pitch softball. Pitchers throw the ball at speeds approaching 70 miles per hour from a distance of 43 feet. Those blazers can be difficult to hit, but when the pitcher adds curveballs...
Pitching is the dominant element in fast pitch softball. Most games are low scoring and many games are decided by one or two runs. As a result, great pitchers are extremely valuable to their teams. Coaches have to teach their p...
Unlike the sport of baseball, which uses an overhand pitching motion, softball relies on pitches delivered with an underhand motion. Because of the differences in both pitching velocity and the initial trajectory of the balls a...
In some cases, youth leagues may set up a square around the pitching rubber and not a circle. In competitive softball, there is no raised pitcher's mound. In most circumstances, the pitching rubber is in a circle. However, some...
Softball pitching requires athleticism and technique, with arm speed, arm rotation and precise grips on the ball combining to determine pitch power and movement. Softball coaches often utilize a number of different devices to h...
In softball, great pitchers can throw a variety of pitches. Usually, the fastball is the first pitch they learn to throw. Once a pitcher has shown some degree of ability with that pitch, the change up is the next pitch taught. ...
Every serious softball pitcher needs to develop an effective drop ball, according to Pitch Softball, because, as Softball Performance notes, drop balls make it difficult for hitters to make hard contact. Drop balls are designed...
In softball, the distance between the pitcher's mound and home plate varies. The distance is often shorter in fast-pitch softball, where the ball is pitched fast with little arc, and in leagues for children, who may struggle wi...
The pitcher for softball has the same duties as the pitcher in baseball, including pitching to batters and fielding batted balls, but the field and the underhanded delivery make for a different set of terminology. Since softbal...
Dominant softball pitchers are often the most important factor when it comes to winning in fast-pitch softball. Experienced pitchers can throw fastballs that reach speeds of 70 mph from a distance of 46 feet. When starting out,...
George Hancock, who laid out the first playing field inside of the club, is credited with inventing the game, which would later be known as softball. The game has evolved from indoor to outdoor fields and from a recreational co...
Learning to pitch maybe the single most important aspect of competitive softball. Top pitchers can throw fastballs, risers, drops and curves. When young pitchers first learn to pitch, the idea is to help them build arm strength...
The various styles of pitching employed in softball mark one aspect that sets the game apart from its parent sport, baseball. Where baseball follows similar pitching rules and restrictions in most formats and levels, softball i...
Pitching is almost always the dominant factor when it comes to winning or losing in fastpitch softball. Many games are decided by 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 scores, so pitching must be sharp if you are going to keep your team competitive...
Pitching a softball effectively requires the right mechanics and form. By considering the physics of pitching a softball, you can understand the purpose of various motions and actions in your pitching motion.
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 o...
Softball is one of the few team sports in which every play starts with the ball in the hands of a defensive player. A softball pitcher is responsible for making effective pitches based on particular game situations. Many times,...
Fast-pitch softball is a competitive sport that is dominated by pitching. Pitchers can throw the ball at speeds of more than 70 mph and that corresponds to baseball pitchers who can throw the ball more than 90 mph. Softball pit...
Men's softball is a competitive and recreational game that usually features long home runs and big hits. Pitchers in fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball are charged with limiting big innings by holding the opponents in check wit...
The "knuckler" can send a batter pacing back to the bench, head down and muttering. It's rarely used in softball because it's difficult to master and typically doesn't have the dramatic movement that the same pitch ha...
This small change actually has a significant effect on the way the game is played. The size of the ball makes it difficult to throw at high speeds using the same overhand motion used in baseball. As a result, an underhand pitch...
In softball, a rise ball is a pitch that appears to defy the law of gravity and rises as it nears the batter. Throwing a rise ball is an advanced pitching skill that can take years of practice to master, according to PitchSoftb...
The rise ball is considered by many coaches and players to be one of the toughest softball pitches to learn to throw and to hit. The pitching movement is unnatural and awkward at first. Your fingers cut under the ball, then run...
The rotation of the softball in pitching is complex. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, "molecules of air stick to the surface" of a spinning ball "pulled in the direction of the spin...
A girl's softball pitching machine is a mechanical device used during practice to help players improve their swing. It's similar to a baseball pitching machine, but a softball unit is designed for balls of a larger diameter.
cording to Steve Ellis, a former pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who hosts his own website, The Complete Pitcher, "The goal of any pitching analysis is to determine the mechanical efficiency of a pitcher's delivery." Sou...
Fundamentals unlock the door to any athletic endeavor. Softball pitching is no exception: Learn how to correctly perform its fundamentals --- among them the stance, grip of the ball, delivery and follow-through --- and chances ...
Softball pitching has a unique set of attributes that enable interesting mathematical analysis. These attributes result from specific aspects of the game of softball, such as the size of the ball, the distance from the pitcher'...
In college softball programs, pitchers remain the most highly recruited players on the field. Consequently, pitchers at the high school level and on summer travel teams dedicate large amounts of time, effort and money to nuturi...
Pitching is one of the most important factors in any competitive softball game. In fastpitch softball, games often are low-scoring because pitchers regularly use the windmill style and throw fastballs that approach speeds of 70...
In competitive softball, pitching is the dominant factor. When pitchers can throw fastballs at 70 miles an hour and also fire risers, drops, curves and change-ups, the hitter is at a huge disadvantage. Pitchers depend on having...
Pitching is the most important aspect of competitive softball. When girls start out in the sport, they may see advanced pitchers who can fire a fastball with a windmill motion at speeds of 70 miles per hour or more. This can be...
There are several different styles of pitching, depending on the type of game that is played.
Top-level pitchers dominate competitive softball. Good pitchers throw fastballs that reach 70 miles per hour, which is about the equivalent of a 93-mile-per-hour fastball in baseball. In addition to throwing that pitch, many pi...
Softball pitchers, who throw in an underhanded windmill fashion, had been considered immune to the traditional pitching injuries of baseball, yet evidence to the contrary continues to mount. While slightly safer than the overha...
One of the principal differences between baseball and softball is pitching; softball has many unique rules governing how a pitcher can legally throw the ball.
Rules and regulations for softball pitching can vary depending on the league and skill level of participants. However, the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), the governing body for most amateur softball competitions...
Softball pitchers need unique workouts to strengthen their arms and improve performance. However, simply concentrating on the throwing arm and shoulder won't translate into increased pitch velocity. Softball pitchers must have ...
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....
In order to become an effective pitcher in competitive fast-pitch softball, athletes have to learn, understand and improve their fundamentals. The fundamental skills in pitching are the stance, grip and the motion that the pitc...
In modified pitching softball leagues, pitchers are not allowed to use a windmill windup or do anything that is considered deceptive when delivering the ball to home plate. Under the modified rules, there is more hitting and th...
Pitching is the dominant factor in competitive softball. Pitchers can throw fastballs at 70 mph from a distance of 43 feet, which is the equivalent of a 90-plus mph fastball in baseball. Pitchers can also throw drops, risers, c...
Fast-pitch softball is a very competitive game. When played at a high level, hits and runs are very hard to come by. Scores of 1 to 0, 2 to 1 and 3 to 2 are quite common. Many games are won with late runs and that means executi...
Competitive softball with modified pitching rules usually features more hitting and scoring than traditional fast-pitch softball. In modified softball, the pitcher is not allowed to use a windmill windup. She can bring her arm ...
Modified softball is an amalgam of fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball. In modified fast-pitch softball, pitchers are not allowed to use windmill deliveries or the rocker step before delivering the pitch. By limiting the pitcher...
Those who pitch in softball carry a big responsibility. Pitching dominates competitive softball because the best pitchers can throw fastballs, risers, drops, curves and changeups and do it with control. The games tend to be low...
Trying to learn a softball pitch by practicing the entire motion at once, from the full distance of the mound to the plate, is difficult for those just learning. Understanding the different parts of a pitch and learning and pra...
Pitching is almost always the dominant aspect of competitive softball. Pitchers throw fastballs, risers, drops, curves and changeups and can do it from a variety of motions. The most effective pitchers will force the hitter to ...
Competitive softball is a game that is dominated by pitching. Top pitchers can throw their fastballs at speeds approaching 70 miles per hour, which, at the shorter distance, is the equivalent of a baseball thrown at 93-plus mil...
However, being able to throw a pitch so fast that a batter can barely track it can also help you a great deal in your career. Many athletes have trouble improving their pitching speed in softball. There are some tips and exerci...
Competitive softball is a game dominated by outstanding pitching. Many pitchers can throw the ball at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, which is comparable to a baseball pitched at 100 m.p.h. Additionally, pitchers can throw r...
Pitching in fast-pitch softball is a very demanding activity. Pitchers tend to dominate this low-scoring game, and quite a few can deliver fastballs that reach speeds of 70 miles per hour to the plate. Additionally, they can th...
Softball pitching differs from pitching in baseball because it is done with an underhanded throwing motion. While this may seem less imposing than an overhand pitch, softball pitches actually involve much more motion than baseb...
Pitching in competitive softball is a huge responsibility. The game tends to be low-scoring because pitchers have a wide array of pitches and tend to dominate the game. Many scores end up 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, or the like. Pitchers ne...
Just because softball pitches are delivered underhand doesn’t mean they are any easier to hit than baseball pitches or require any less effort to perfect. Softball employs a number of different pitches, each of which are ...
Fast-pitch softball is a sport dominated by pitching. Top pitchers throw the ball at speeds approaching 70 miles per hour from a distance of 43 to 46 feet. That's about the same as a 90-mph fastball in baseball. Pitchers also t...
Pitching in softball is an immense responsibility. The game is largely one of pitching and defense, and most pitchers are expected to hold opponents to two or fewer runs. It can be difficult to score because pitchers can throw ...
Pitching in competitive softball is the most important aspect of the game. Pitchers can throw the ball at speeds up to 70 miles per hour from a distance of 43 feet. Pitchers can also throw rise pitches, drop pitches and change ...
They can reflect the athlete's performance in one competition, a series, a season or they can span an athlete's career. Although a team sport, softball depends on individual performances, notably pitching. Most pitching sta...
Pitching is the most important factor in competitive softball. In many cases, pitchers can throw at speeds approaching 70 mph, which is the equivalent of a 95-plus mph fastball in baseball. Experienced pitchers use several tech...
Pitching a softball requires much different mechanics than pitching a baseball. This is largely the result of the bigger size of a softball, which forces pitchers to use a different release point and, as a result, a different f...
The process of learning to pitch a softball accurately and with speed takes time, patience and a whole lot of practice. Beginning pitchers should start with less speed, only increasing their pitching speed once they become accu...
Softball pitchers have as much to do with the outcome of their sport as any player on the field. Pitching takes timing, athleticism, technique and a strong arm to be successful. Learning how to throw with control and velocity t...
While similar to baseball in play, there are differences, most notably, the type of ball, which is softer in consistency and larger than a baseball. The method of pitching is also different. In baseball, the ball is generally t...
A pitcher's ERA, or earned run average, is a statistic used to calculate how many runs a pitcher gives up, on average, in the course of a full game pitched. The lower a pitcher's ERA, the better. A softball pitcher's ERA is cal...
Players take the filed in the same positions at the three infield bases and in the outfield. They hit the ball and run the bases. Softball uses a larger ball though, and the rules for pitching vary from regular baseball. No mat...
Pitching a softball requires loose arm and leg muscles. You need strong leg muscles so that you have enough stamina to pitch deep into a game and to help generate power up through your body and into your arm. Build strength in...
