Although fast-pitch softball may be less risky than youth baseball, the potential for injury still exists. ... One reason is that softball pitchers throw underhand, a motion thought to stress the arm less than the overhand throws seen in baseball.

Is underhand pitching faster?

Overall, the most accurate pitch was shallow overhand throw, slightly faster than the minimum speed needed to reach the target, regardless of location. However, underhand throws were better for reaching nearby targets above the shoulder. Overhand throws were more consistent with higher speeds and longer distances.

When playing softball the ball must be pitched underhand?

The ball must be pitched underhand in an arch (no higher than 12 feet or lower than 3 feet), and it must travel across the front shoulder and back knee of the batter, and land behind home plate (i.e., in the strike zone).

Can a softball pitcher throw a pitch overhand?

Softball pitchers use an underhand motion that is not as stressful to the shoulder joint as the overhand pitch used in baseball. Softball pitchers can often pitch several games in one day, and often have an extended career of many years due to the lower stress levels on the shoulder joint.

Is pitching overhand in softball illegal?

There is no rule in baseball that requires a pitcher to throw the ball overhand, and it is not illegal to throw underhand. ... It is not impossible to succeed in baseball with an underhand pitch motion, however, it is likely more difficult.

The Speed Needed In Softball | Sport Science | ESPN Archives

44 related questions found

Why do softball pitchers hit their leg with the ball?

Softball pitchers slap their legs when pitching to balance themselves and distract the batter with the noise. Slapping the leg with the glove also helps with the timing of the pitch.

What is the fastest underhand softball pitch?

Feigner threw a softball harder than any major league pitcher has ever thrown a baseball. His underhand fastball was once timed at 104 mph -- or, according to some accounts, 114 mph. The fastest documented pitch ever thrown by a major league pitcher is 103 mph.

What happens if you throw overhand in softball?

Athletes use an overhand throw particularly for greater distances and also for velocity. But there are a number of other reasons an overhand throw is beneficial in the game of softball. An overhand throw provides you with much more accuracy. ... You have a much stronger and more natural throw.

Is softball pitching bad for your arm?

The greatest danger for softball pitchers is overuse. Overuse leads to tendinitis in the rotator cuff, biceps and other tendons of the arm. Repetitive strain weakens the tendons in your arm. ... Softball pitchers may be at a higher risk for overuse injuries because there is less awareness of the issue.

What's the easiest position in softball?

What is the easiest position in softball? Right field, because young players don't hit the ball very far in the air, and because 80% of athletes are right handed, fewer hard-hit fly balls will go to the opposite field (right field for a right-handed hitter).

How fast did Jennie Finch pitch?

Jennie Finch's underhand fastball pitch comes in at around 68 mph. Her long stride moves her several feet closer to the plate by the time the ball leaves her hand.

Do girls have to pitch underhand?

Baseball leagues and baseball coaches have set strict limits on the number of balls a male pitcher may pitch within a set period of time. But not girls? One reason is that girls play softball and softball pitchers, unlike the male players, throw underhand.

What is the fastest softball pitch ever thrown by a girl?

The fastest recorded softball pitch is 77 mph (123.9 km/h), achieved by Monica Abbott (USA) on 16 June 2012 in a National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) game for the Chicago Bandits against the Carolina Diamonds in Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA.

Why do females play softball instead of baseball?

A softball field has 60 feet between each base while baseball's bases are 90 feet apart. ... The reasoning behind both items is that women have smaller hands and don't have the power necessary to throw the ball as efficiently on a baseball-sized field.

Is bunting allowed in softball?

A bunt is a legally batted ball not swung at but tapped or intentionally tapped into the infield with the bat. ... In USA Softball, the batter can leave the bat over the plate on a bunt attempt, provided she doesn't move the bat toward the ball, and not have a strike called if the ball is out of the zone.

Why can softball pitchers pitch every day?

"Softball pitchers are conditioned to throw essentially every day without doing damage to their bodies, so they don't necessarily need the rest that baseball does."

Is it harder to hit a homerun in softball or baseball?

Baseball is played on a much larger field than softball and needs almost double the length of a softball field to hit a homerun. However, baseballs are much lighter and travel much farther once hit due to the high speed of the pitch.

What's the hardest pitch ever thrown?

On September 24, 2010, former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who hails from Cuba, delivered a 105.1-mph fastball, measured by Statcast, in a game against the San Diego Padres, which is recognized as the Guinness World Record for fastest pitch ever.

Is it illegal to pitch underhand in baseball?

Pitching underhand wasn't a gimmick for Gheen, it was his preferred style. ... An MLB umpire confirmed pitching underhand is allowed.

Why do softball pitchers twist before they pitch?

Why it is wrong: For some reason, so many pitching coaches teach their students to twist the thumb backwards before releasing the ball to “create a better snap.” The only thing that this technique really ends up doing is creating unnecessary tension and a potentially crooked circle.

What is a slap pitch?

So in summary, getting pitch slapped is basically when someone sings at you and their performance blows your mind in a positive way. Clearly the term is up for creative interpretation.