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Softball
This category includes questions about the different softball leagues and information about how to play the game.
1,976 Questions
Who is the fastest women fast pitch?
There is no "official" record for the fastest softball pitch. Here are some of the reputed records after a search of various archives:
- Guinness is supposed to have clocked a softball pitch at 68.9 miles per hour.
- National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), a women's professional softball league, claims that pitches of "70+" MPH are common. There are many other references in various sources making the same 70+ miles per hour claim.
- The fastest softball pitch reportedly clocked at the Atlanta Olympics was 73.2 MPH.
- Eddie Feigner, a famous softball player and the founder of the "King and His Court" 4-man softball team is supposed to have been clocked at 104 miles per hour. In a game against Major Leaguers ballplayers, Eddie Feigner struck out, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson Willie McCovey, Maurey Wills, and Harmon Killebrew all in a row.
Can you slide into first base in men's slow pitch softball?
You can slide into 1st base. Generally, it is not recommended. There are two scenarios where you may want to slide into first. 1) You have hit the ball and are running toward first. The first baseman is positioning to receive the throw. You can see that the throw is offline and the defender may try to tag you instead of touching the base, or the throw has put the defender in your basepath. You slide to avoid a tag or the defender. 2) You have a base hit and have rounded the bag. A throw is coming toward 1st base and you need to return. You may want to slide back to the bag to avoid the tag while off the base.
Why cant you use a softball bat and glove in baseball?
it doesn't really matter what you use. the only difference is that in a glove for softball the glove is made smaller because a women's hand is usually smaller than a man's hand.
Both bats and gloves are governed by certain rules which apply to both games. First, remember when it comes to rules for equipment there is little to no distinction between fastpitch softball and slowpitch softball.
In baseball there are three basic levels of amateur play - youth (Little League, Dixie, Babe Ruth, etc.), senior baseball (ages 13 through 15), and adult (high school and college). For this question we will not discuss t-ball, professional or post college adult recreational leagues.
Let's talk about bats first.
In youth baseball Little League Inc. is king, and they spend money more on testing equipment and safety than the other youth leagues, so most of the other youth leagues follow Little League, Inc.'s lead. The bat rule in Little League requires, among other things, the bat be no more than 2 1/4" in diameter at the widest point in the barrel. It also stipulates the bat cannot perform better than a 1.15 BPF (Bat Performance Factor). Without getting into what that is, suffice it to say that bats must be sent in by the manufacturers and Little League tests them in a certain way and makes sure they are within the 1.15 BPF.
In "big barrel" or travel ball leagues there are little to no bat restrictions.
In high school and NCAA play the bat must meet BESR (Ball Exit Speed Ration) standards to prevent the ball coming off the bat any faster than desired by the rules committee. The bat must also be 2 5/8" in diameter in the barrel.
Softball has a completely different set of governing bodies which dictate bat rules by a different set of standards. The ASA (Amateur Softball Association) is right now one of the largest softball organizations and their rules govern high school and NCAA softball as well.
Why different rules for baseball and softball? Because the balls are completely different. Softball is actually an oxymoron because the ball is much harder than a baseball. It's compression value is greater than a baseball, so it comes off of the bat faster than a baseball. Therefore the 2 games need different rules to keep the games safe.
The glove...
Although most fastpitch softball gloves are made with smaller finger stalls and wrist openings, they can actually be bigger than a baseball glove by the rules. In the Rules of Baseball no glove on the field can be bigger than 12 1/2" from heel to the top of the forefinger, except the first baseman's and catcher's mitt. In softball the ASA requires no glove be bigger than 14". Some other leagues in softball have no specific glove rule. Regardless of the rules, I have never seen or heard of any umpire ejecting a glove based on size.
The pocket is generally deeper in a softball specific glove as well, so using it in baseball one may find that digging the baseball out of the deep pocket is a bit more difficult. When shopping for a softball glove be sure to see if it is made for slowpitch or fastpitch. Slowpitch gloves are made for men and fastpitch gloves are made for girls and women.
What is a good slugging percentage?
.300 is usually a good standard, anything lower than this would probably be deemed a bad percentage. Higher than .300 is of course a good thing
What are the dimensions of a softball mound?
Softball doesn't have a raised mound. In fast pitch softball, there is a circle with an 8 foot diameter drawn around the pitcher's plate.
Why do you wear cleats in softball?
It does not matter what kind of cleats you wear in a softball game. As long as they are cleats and you feel comfortable wearing them on the field, there is no rule against it. You may be at a disadvantage because there is no cleat in from to dig into the dirt when you are trying to accelerate. This toe cleat is what makes baseball and softball cleats illegal in soccer.
Do three outs equal lining in baseball or softball?
There are 6 outs in one inning. Each team have to bat until they get 3 outs. Both teams bat once in one inning.
6 per inning three outs per side
In Australia There Are Six Outs In A Inning For Baseball
3 outs
There are 6 outs in an inning, 3 for each team.
How do you get on the US softball team?
If you've never played I suggest playing in a recreational league before trying out. Softball can be a very dangerous sport if you don't know what you're doing. If you end up trying out, good luck.
1*2*3*4*5*6*7*8*9*10=3628800
Where can you get good softball cleats?
Would orthotics work? You might be able to get some that will work in all shoes.
Ball hit under outfielders legs a hit?
If a batter gets a base hit to the outfield that would normally be a single but the ball goes through the legs of an outfielder and the batter winds up on third base, the play would be scored as a single and an error on the outfielder. Depends on the determination of the "official scorer". If the ball goes under the outfielder's legs and, in the official scorer's opinion, it could have been fielded with ordinary effort, and the batter or runners advance an additional base or bases, it would be an error allowing the runners, and/or hitter to advance. If, however, the ball goes under the outfielder's legs and, in the scorers opinion, could not have been fielded by ordinary effort, an error is not necessarily scored on the play.
Does a runner has to run after a bunt in a softball?
If you hit a fowl then you don't have to run.If it's fair then you do. If your on base and it is a pop fly then you take a little bit of a led. So it all depends on where you are and how the ball is hit on wether or not you run when a softball is hit
What is a crow hop in fast pitch softball?
There are three often-violated rules in girls' fast pitch softball that are misunderstood by many pitchers, coaches, and even some umpires, and consequently are often not enforced. The first two rules (regarding crow hopping and leaping) are designed to prevent some pitchers from having an unfair advantage over other pitchers…and batters…by unfairly releasing the ball closer to the plate. These two definitions and rules are often misinterpreted, and wrongly used to define each other. What we offer here is an attempt to clarify the meaning of the three rules so they can be more uniformly understood and complied with:
1) A CROW HOP is not the pitcher's failure to drag the push-off foot along the ground. A crow hop is, as the name implies, a forward hop or step off the pitching rubber by the pivot/push-off foot (typically moving it forward a foot or more) to "replant" it and use it for a second push-off point. It is not permitted in girls/womens softball. In their rulebooks, the USSSA, ASA, etc. offer essentially the same definitions for "crow hopping": ASA - "A crow hop is defined as the act of a pitcher who steps, hops, or drags off the
Front of the pitcher's plate, replants the pivot foot, establishing a second impetus
(or starting point), pushes off from the newly-established starting point and
and completes the delivery."
And the ASA rulebook also states:
"Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher's plate is illegal." USSSA - "A crow hop is the replanting of the pivot foot prior to delivery of the pitch."
Additionally, under USSSA Pitching Rules:
"Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher's plate is illegal.
NOTE 1: It is not a step if the pitcher slides (her) foot in any direction on the pitcher's plate,
provided contact is maintained.
NOTE 2: Techniques such as the "crow hop" and "the leap" are illegal." 2) LEAPING can be caused by a failure to "drag" the pivot/push-off foot. Leaping, in fast pitch softball, is the act of having both feet off the ground at the same time (as shown in the photo on the right). Therefore, the pivot/push-off foot usually is dragged along the ground until the stride foot lands (leap-with-drag pitchers) , or remains in contact with the pitching rubber (for some stepping-style pitchers). Again, here are the more official definitions: ASA -
"LEAPING. (Fast Pitch only) An act by the pitcher which causes the pitcher to be airborne
on the initial move and move from the pitcher's plate."Additionally, under the ASA Rulebook Pitching Regulations for Fast Pitch Softball:
"Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the ground is required. If a hole has been created, the pivot foot may drag no higher than the level plane of the ground."
USSSA -
"A LEAP is when both feet are airborne." Further, the USSSA's Pitching rules state:
"The pivot foot may remain in contact with or may push off and drag away from, the pitching plate prior to the front foot touching the ground, as long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground." 3) SIDE STEPPING is permissible, but within the context of the rule. Some pitchers, particularly those who are stepping-style pitchers, are often taught to not step directly forward toward home plate, but instead to step to the side to gain an advantage with the "closing" (or twisting of the trunk) process. Stepping to the side must be restricted to the width of the pitching plate. Here is the ASA rule: ASA - "In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher must take one step with the non-pivot foot
simultaneous with the release of the ball. The step must be forward and toward the
batter within the 24 inch length of the pitcher's plate."
There are three often-violated rules in girls' fast pitch softball that are misunderstood by many pitchers, coaches, and even some umpires, and consequently are often not enforced. The first two rules (regarding crow hopping and leaping) are designed to prevent some pitchers from having an unfair advantage over other pitchers…and batters…by unfairly releasing the ball closer to the plate. These two definitions and rules are often misinterpreted, and wrongly used to define each other. What we offer here is an attempt to clarify the meaning of the three rules so they can be more uniformly understood and complied with:
1) A CROW HOP is not the pitcher's failure to drag the push-off foot along the ground. A crow hop is, as the name implies, a forward hop or step off the pitching rubber by the pivot/push-off foot (typically moving it forward a foot or more) to "replant" it and use it for a second push-off point. It is not permitted in girls/womens softball. In their rulebooks, the USSSA, ASA, etc. offer essentially the same definitions for "crow hopping": ASA - "A crow hop is defined as the act of a pitcher who steps, hops, or drags off the
Front of the pitcher's plate, replants the pivot foot, establishing a second impetus
(or starting point), pushes off from the newly-established starting point and
and completes the delivery."
And the ASA rulebook also states:
"Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher's plate is illegal." USSSA - "A crow hop is the replanting of the pivot foot prior to delivery of the pitch."
Additionally, under USSSA Pitching Rules:
"Pushing off with the pivot foot from a place other than the pitcher's plate is illegal.
NOTE 1: It is not a step if the pitcher slides (her) foot in any direction on the pitcher's plate,
provided contact is maintained.
NOTE 2: Techniques such as the "crow hop" and "the leap" are illegal." 2) LEAPING can be caused by a failure to "drag" the pivot/push-off foot. Leaping, in fast pitch softball, is the act of having both feet off the ground at the same time (as shown in the photo on the right). Therefore, the pivot/push-off foot usually is dragged along the ground until the stride foot lands (leap-with-drag pitchers) , or remains in contact with the pitching rubber (for some stepping-style pitchers). Again, here are the more official definitions: ASA -
"LEAPING. (Fast Pitch only) An act by the pitcher which causes the pitcher to be airborne
on the initial move and move from the pitcher's plate."Additionally, under the ASA Rulebook Pitching Regulations for Fast Pitch Softball:
"Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the ground is required. If a hole has been created, the pivot foot may drag no higher than the level plane of the ground."
USSSA -
"A LEAP is when both feet are airborne." Further, the USSSA's Pitching rules state:
"The pivot foot may remain in contact with or may push off and drag away from, the pitching plate prior to the front foot touching the ground, as long as the pivot foot remains in contact with the ground." 3) SIDE STEPPING is permissible, but within the context of the rule. Some pitchers, particularly those who are stepping-style pitchers, are often taught to not step directly forward toward home plate, but instead to step to the side to gain an advantage with the "closing" (or twisting of the trunk) process. Stepping to the side must be restricted to the width of the pitching plate. Here is the ASA rule: ASA - "In the act of delivering the ball, the pitcher must take one step with the non-pivot foot
simultaneous with the release of the ball. The step must be forward and toward the
batter within the 24 inch length of the pitcher's plate."
Distance from pitchers mound to home plate in softball?
It varys, I play in a 12u league and we pitch from 40 feet but I'm sure in higher league(high school, college, etc.) they pitching mounds will be further away
Earned runs are runs that are scored because of hits stolen bases. Un-earned runs are those where a runner gets on base because of an error and eventually scores. The earned run average (ERA) is calculated by taking the total number of earned runs scored against a pitcher and dividing that by the total number of innings that pitcher pitched. The lower the ERA the better the pitcher, usually.
Why were the materials that are inside a softball chosen to be in it?
Well that is a good question! The materials were chosen, I believe to make a sturdy baseball but not one that with to much weight, will not fly through the air easily. Hope that helps a little bit! BTW- May not be accurate!
What does 2 for 4 mean in hitting in softball?
Ball was thrown from the number 2 position i.e catcher to the number 4 position second baseman. This is a normal scored put out for a bunted ball where the catcher fields the bunt and throws the runner out at first with the second baseman covering that position.
A shaved bat is a bat that has had material removed from the inside by "shaving" the inner wall. This thins the wall of the bat which causes the ball to leave the bat at higher speeds and giving greater distance to hit balls.
Who invented the game of softball and what year?
The first softball game was played on Thanksgiving Day in 1887. They players played inside of a gym at Farragut Boat club, located in Chicago, IL. The believed inventor of softball is George Hancock.
math is in softball because when u throw the ball you have to put it at a speed and a angle to throw the ball to the correct spot.Also you have to count up the score and when you're hitting the ball you have to put it at a certaint degree angle and sped so it goes where you want it to go
When was Patrick Murphy - softball coach - born?
Patrick Murphy - softball coach - was born on 1967-11-28.
What are the social benefits of softball?
Being on a softball team allows you to meet many new people and make more friends...like the people on you team and also the people on the team you play against. Also you can get into a good college if you can earn a scholarship.
What does WHIP mean softball stat?
It's the walks and hits per inning pitched. In other words it's the average number of walk and hits a pitcher gives up per inning pitched.
Check out the 'Throwing a Screwball' link on this page to find out about the mechanics of throwing a screwball.
Since there seems there isn't a link i will explain it for you. I used to throw it a lot. But what you do is you hold it like a four-seam fastball. What you have to do after this is you must pronate your wrist. Which means you twist you hand, wrist, and forearm counter-clock wise. This will give the ball a spin that will "chop" the air to the right of it (if its a RHP, and vis-versa if its a LHP) causing it to move that direction. But beware, it is a potentially harmful pitch, especially if done wrong! Use it sparingly! If you feel pain, then stop throwing it!
What is a fake bunt in softball?
A fake bunt is when you pretend to bunt the ball so you get down to your bunting position and once she releases the ball you pull the bat back up and hit it instead of hitting it.
