Fastpitch Softball Pitching Speed

Here you go fastpitch softball players!! A real breakdown and comparison of fastpich softball pitch speed versus baseball pitch speed. This is a fun chart to see the reaction times for batters in their respective sports. This chart gives a comparison of softball pitch speed (pitching rubber 43’ from home plate) and baseball pitch speed (pitcher’s mound 60.5’ from home plate). Read more about what it takes to be a pitcher on a girls fastpitch team. An excellent site for girl softball pitchers from Colorado Pitching Coach Gerald Warner. By Gerald Warner, Softball Pitching Instructor. Pitchers, parents, and coaches often ask what the typical pitching speed is for a pitcher of a certain age. Since girl pitchers in various communities and different regions of the U.S. Have different abilities.

Megan Gibson pitching in the 'windmill' motion for Texas A&M.
A Danish pitcher demonstrates the underhand release of the ball.
The pitching circle, seen here at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, is a required part of ASA and ISF fastpitch softball.

Fastpitch softball, also known as fastpitch or fastball, is a form of softball played commonly by women and men, though coed fast-pitch leagues also exist. The International Softball Federation (ISF) is the international governing body of softball. The ISF recognizes three pitching styles: fast pitch, 'modified' fast pitch, and slow pitch.[1] Fast pitch is considered the most competitive form of softball. It is the form of softball that was played at the Olympic Games in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008. The fast pitch style is also used in college softball and international competition.

Pitchers throw the ball with an underhand motion at speeds up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) for women and up to 85 miles per hour (137 km/h) for men.[2][3]

The pitching style of fastpitch is different from that of slowpitch softball. Pitchers in fast-pitch softball usually throw the ball using a 'windmill' type of movement. In this style of pitching, the pitcher begins with his arm at the hip. A common way to be taught how to pitch is using the motions, 'repel', 'rock', 'kick', 'drag', 'toss'. The pitcher then brings the ball in a circular motion over the head, completes the circle back down at the hip, and snaps the hand. A 'modified' fast pitch is identical to a 'windmill' pitch except the arm is not brought over the head in a full windmill motion, but instead is brought behind the body and is then thrust directly forward for the release. Another type of pitching movement is the 'figure 8'. With this style, the ball is not brought over the head at all but down and behind the body and back in one smooth motion tracing out a figure eight. There are many different pitches which can be thrown, including a two-seam fastball, four-seam fastball, changeup, two different riseballs, two dropballs, curveball, offspeed, screwball, knuckleball and more. These pitches can be taught in many different styles, depending on the pitching coach's method and the player's abilities.

Catching is also a very important part of fast pitch softball. Without a fast-paced catcher, the pitcher will not succeed. The catcher needs to be able to recognize the batters, their hitting style, and the right pitches to call. If there is a bad pitch that hits the ground, the catcher needs to block it so runs do not score, and runners do not advance on the bases. And when a pitch is close to the strike-zone, catchers 'frame' by pulling the ball towards the center of the plate to convince the umpires to call the pitch a strike. Catchers are protected by a chest guard, helmet, mouth guard, leg protectors, and a specialized mitt.[4] This is due to the proximity of the batters to the catcher; it is a dangerous position so one must always be alert. Catchers are responsible for throwing runners out when they try to steal bases, meaning that a catcher must have a strong arm and a quick throw. The catcher is the brains of the team, and carries it as a whole.[5]

The game of fastpitch softball is similar to baseball, and includes stealing bases and bunting. Unlike baseball, however, there is no 'leading off' - the baserunner can only leave the base when the pitcher releases the ball. Most leagues use the 'dropped third strike' rule, which allows the batter to attempt an advance to first base when the catcher fails to catch the third strike.[6]

  • 4Equipment
  • 5Pitching technique

History[edit]

Fast pitch softball became a very popular sport in the US during the '30s and '40s. Commercial and semi-pro leagues sprang up all over the country in large cities and small towns alike. Both men's and women's leagues were popular and it was not unusual for both to be playing on the same night in a 'double-header'. Because of the speed of these games, they were very popular with spectators. During those years, the women's games were popular and fun to watch but the real draws were the men's games. Pitchers that could hurl the ball in excess of 85 mph at a batter 46 feet away could strike out 15 to 20 batters a game. To make things even more difficult, the underhand delivery meant the ball was rising as it approached the plate and a talented pitcher could make the ball perform some baffling aerobatics on its journey to the batter's box. The Amateur Softball Association was formed in 1934 and held a National tournament each year to determine the best softball team in the nation. Soon there were state and regional tournaments all over the country selecting teams to vie for the coveted National Championship. Competition was fierce with teams competing not only on the field but in recruiting the best 'fire baller' around. It was not unusual for a talented pitcher to be recruited by the winning team after his team was eliminated from a tournament. It was rumored that some of these 'amateurs' were making fair living from playing softball.Fast pitch softball started to lose popularity in the mid-50s for a variety of reasons.[7] More and more families were getting television in their homes and so games drew smaller crowds. More teams were starting to play “slow pitch” with its greater emphasis on fielding. Although men’s fast pitch softball is still played, the game is now mostly played by women.

One of the most important events in softball history occurred when the ASA sent the Connecticut Brakettes of Stratford, Connecticut to compete in ISF Women’s World championship in 1965. The Brakettes were the ASA's first women’s softball team and they finished the competition with a record of 8–3 and a silver medal.[8] After the championship, the Brakettes travelled to many locations around the world to serve as ambassadors for the sport. During the trip, the coaches and players held softball clinics to give a diverse group of people a better understanding of softball.[8]

As the worldwide participation in softball continued to grow, the sport was eventually included in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games at Atlanta, Georgia. The ASA responded by developing a coaching pool consisting of the best coaches in the country along with a selection committee which would recruit the most talented US softball players. The selection committee was responsible for making the final cuts to decide which players would compete for the US team at all international competitions throughout the year. The strategy was successful as the United States won their first olympic gold medal in softball against China with a 3–0 win. This success was followed by two more olympic gold medals and seven world Championships.

Fastpitch

The number of Division I softball teams in the US has grown from 222 in 1997 to 277 in 2007. The number of youth teams also increased from 73,567 in 1995 to 86,049 in 2007.[9]

Controversies[edit]

In July 2005, IOC members voted 52–52 (with one abstention), to remove softball (along with baseball) from the Olympic program after the 2008 Olympic Games. Softball and baseball needed a majority vote to stay. The two sports were the first to be cut since polo in 1936. One of the reasons softball was considered for elimination from the Olympics was because there was not enough global participation and not enough depth of talent worldwide to merit Olympic status. In the three Summer Olympics which included a softball competition, four countries won medals: the United States, Australia, China and Japan.

In response to the expressed concern that there was not enough talent depth worldwide, the ISF began to introduce the game in places where softball is not traditionally played. For example, the US team donated equipment and hosted coaching clinics in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. The US team's Jessica Mendoza has also delivered equipment and conducted clinics in other countries such as Brazil, the Czech Republic and South Africa.

After softball's elimination from 2012 Olympics became a possibility, the ASA created the World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City in 2005. This event allows the top countries in the world to compete on a yearly basis. The 2005 World Cup of Softball drew over 18,000 fans around the world for a competition between the top five international softball teams.

The World Cup of Softball was later established as one of the premier events for the sport of softball. At the second World Cup of Softball, the attendance record was broken and the television ratings were higher than in any previous US Softball event on ESPN and ESPN2. Fastpitch softball, however, has been added to the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Olympic Involvement[edit]

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Speed Chart

Softball at the Summer Olympics was on the Olympic programme from 1996 to 2008. Softball was removed from the programme for 2012 and 2016, but was readded for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[10] Along with softball, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) has added baseball, skateboarding, karate, sports climbing, and surfing to the Summer Olympic games.[11] The Organization has expressed consideration of the youth focus and increasing interest in the newly added sports. Many countries have expressed interest in the addition of softball especially to the Olympic games, with collegiate softball and semi-professional games growing.[12]

Equipment[edit]

Ball[edit]

Softballs are created in many different sizes. In fast pitch softball, most leagues use a ball with a circumference of 12 inches (30 cm) that weighs 6.25 ounces (177 g). Younger players generally play with an 11-inch (28 cm) circumference ball.[13] The ball has a leather or synthetic leather surface and may optionally have a raised seam. The ball's color has changed over time: most leagues have switched from a white ball to a high-visibility 'optic' yellow ball; some men's leagues still use the white ball.[14]

Bats[edit]

Bats in fastpitch softball come in various sizes and consist of wood, metal or other composite materials. Some leagues may require wooden bats because of player safety issues. All bats used in ASA softball competition must have an ASA-approved stamp and be included in a list of approved bat models published by the ASA national office.[15] All organizations, such as NSA, USSSA, ISA, and ISFA, all require their own approved stamps, without one, the bat is illegal and cannot be used, an usage will result in being thrown out of the game All A fastpitch softball bat may be no more than 34 inches long, 2​1⁄4 inches in diameter. Also, a 'drop' of no more than 13 is allowed. The drop is calculated by taking the length of the bat in inches and subtracting the weight in ounces.[16] Female players tend to use specialized fastpitch bats, while male players typically prefer slowpitch bats.

Gloves[edit]

Gloves are worn by all members of the defensive team and are made in many styles and sizes. The gloves are made with leather or a sturdy fabric. The catcher and first baseman usually wear mitts which include additional padding and no fingers. Gloves are similar to baseball gloves, but softball allows larger sizes up to 14 inches from top to bottom.[17]

Uniforms[edit]

Fastpitch softball uniforms usually include a shirt, undershirt, properly fitted under shorts, baseball socks, cap, visor and shorts. Baseball caps and head bands are optional for women, baseball caps are mandatory for men. Most female fastpitch softball players wear 'sliding shorts' which protect the back of thighs when sliding into bases. Some players may also wear shin guards to protect the area below the knee up to the ankle.[18] Male players wear the long 'baseball style' pants. Fast pitch softball shoes may have cleats or spikes. Rounded metal or hard plastic spikes are not allowed due to the increased risk of injury to an opponent in a slide.

Batting gloves can also be worn when playing fastpitch or slowpitch softball. Batting gloves are designed to improve a player's grip and to provide protection for batters when they are at the plate. Batting gloves also provide added protection for the hand in the fielding glove when fielding and catching balls. Batting gloves are designed to prevent a player's hands from breaking.

Helmets[edit]

Helmets are required in fast pitch softball. There are many different styles of batting helmet, but must have two ear flaps, and most girls have a face mask on their helmet for extra protection. Any helmet that has been damaged, altered or previously repaired is not permitted for use. The catcher must wear a protective helmet, a face mask and a chest protector.[19] Male catchers must wear a protective cup.Aside from the catcher, any other player on the fast pitch softball team may wear a protective mask or face guard in the field. These masks are designed to prevent traumatic facial injuries.[20]

Pitching technique[edit]

Softball pitchers at any level require a level of accuracy with their pitches.[21] An accurate pitch is achieved through different techniques which help the pitcher to maintain a certain consistency of body weight and balance. The pitch starts with the grip and ends with a follow through after the ball is released from the hand of the pitcher. An accurate pitch requires skill in six areas: the grip, stance, windup, stride, release and follow through.

A perfect grip depends on which pitch the pitcher is throwing. For a normal fastball, it is beneficial to hold the ball firmly with your fingertips, but not so that the ball is pushed deep into your palm of your hand. In fastpitch softball, there are several types of grips for various pitches. There is not one correct way to hold or throw a pitch, it all depends on the pitcher. Some grips are easier for individuals due to the size of their hand while others find certain grips more difficult. This is why younger pitchers who haven't developed into their normal hand size start with more basic grips such as the fastball. The main pitches involved in fastpitch softball are as follows: fastball, change-up, curveball, drop ball, and rise ball. Other pitches include both the drop curve, and well as the drop screw, and the backdoor curve.

The pitcher's stance is also important when pitching. In different types of competitions, different rules concerning the stance apply. In college, professional, and Olympic games, pitchers must place both feet on the rubber when starting the pitch. Other competitions require having only one foot on the rubber. The pitcher's feet are placed at a distance that is not larger than the width of the shoulders, with either one foot or both feet on the rubber. A common stance for pitchers is to have the ball of the foot on the same side as the throwing arm (also called the pivot foot) on the front edge of the rubber, and the toes of the alternate foot shoulder width apart and toward the middle or back side of the rubber.

A stride is performed from the beginning stance by rocking back, shifting the weight back to gain momentum and then moving the weight forward onto the ball of the pivot foot. The pitcher then pushes off the rubber with the pivot foot, pivoting that foot in a 30 to 40 degree, clockwise angle as the opposite leg moves out into a stride. The stride leg must land along the 'power line,' which means that the pitcher’s body is in line with the plate, with the pitcher’s hips facing the third base line. The angle of a pitch can be altered in different ways through the stride. If the pitcher is aiming for the outside corner of the plate, the pitcher will pivot, stride with the opposite foot, and land slightly outside of the “power line”; if the inside corner is aimed, the pitcher will land slightly inside. If the movement is very subtle, the batter will probably not be able to notice the change of angle. In most leagues during the pitcher's delivery, the pivot foot must drag along the ground in order for the pitch to be legal. If the drag foot lifts off the ground, an illegal pitch will be called for crow hopping. In this case, the batter is awarded with one ball to the count, and all base runners advance to the next base.[22] In international play - and in most men's leagues - the pitcher is allowed to jump with the pivot foot. A crow hop here is considered legal.

The windup is performed with the throwing arm and happens prior to the pitcher releasing the ball. Throughout the entire pitch, the upper body should remain upright, rather than bent over. The pitcher’s throwing arm begins at the hip. Some pitchers move the throwing arm back as they shift their weight back, but it is not necessary throw an effective pitch. From the hip, the throwing arm moves up in a circle, brushing the ear, and returning to the hip prior to the release. The pitcher’s arm should remain tight to the body to keep control of the pitch. This can be performed because the pitcher’s lower body is pivoting in a straight line.

The release is one of the most important motions for the effectiveness of the pitch. The release technique consists of wrist-snapping and allowing the ball to roll off the fingertips when arm reaches the hip. If the snap also twists the wrist, the ball will move laterally or up and down, which can benefit the pitcher by confusing the batter.[23] The follow through is the last motion of a pitch. This is the point when the pitcher bends the throwing arm at the elbow, and the hand moves upward, finishing in front of the pitcher’s face.

Overuse injury risks for windmill softball pitchers[edit]

Windmill pitching consists of three phases. The first phase, or “wind up” involves initiation of the motion until the top of the back swing (TOB). The second phase lasts from the top of the back swing until the instant of stride foot contact (SFC). The third phase occurs between the SFC and the instant of ball release (REL).[24]

Knowledge of the kinematic parameters of these phases is critical for physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers to devise better diagnostic and rehabilitative protocols that are specific to the athletes. A previous study by Alexander et al. demonstrated that the majority of kinematic parameters have low magnitudes and vary among pitchers during the windup phase.[25] In a follow-up study, Werner et al. examined the parameters of the second and third phases, which they termed the “delivery phase”. They found 7 specific parameters of pitching mechanics that correlate to risk of shoulder injury: shoulder abduction, shoulder flexion, knee flexion angle at SFC, stride length, stride angle, and elbow and hip angles at REL. Monitoring these kinematics would aid in reducing shoulder stress. Mean shoulder abduction and shoulder flexion angles at SFC were 155° ±16° and 168° ±35°, respectively. As the stride foot contacted the ground, the knee demonstrated a mean value of 27°±9° of flexion. Stride length averaged 89% ±11% of body height. Stride position varied between subjects, with a mean value of –3 ±14 cm; this indicates that when the foot contacted the ground, on average it landed slightly to the first-base side of home plate for right-handed pitchers, and to the third-base side for left-handers. The elbow flexion angle was 18° ±9° and the lower trunk (hip) angle moved toward a closed position of 52°±18° at REL. This indicated that greater degrees of shoulder abduction at SFC and greater stride angle decreased the magnitude of shoulder compression force. Conversely, longer stride, open REL hip position, and greater degrees of elbow flexion at REL and of shoulder and knee flexion at SFC all increase shoulder compression force.[24]

Normative ranges for kinematic parameters have been established for an elite population of windmill pitchers. Specific pitching mechanic parameters correlate with clinically significant injury patterns. Interventions that take into account the aforementioned data could decrease shoulder forces, thus translating to lower rates of time-loss injury in this group of athletes.[24]The fastest pitch on record was thrown by Eddie Feigner of 'The King and His Court' who was clocked at ⁿ90 mph.[3] Feigner was at his best in the 1950s, and it is doubtful if this figure is correct.

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Speed

The fastpitch swing can be broken down into 7 components: 1. Stance 2. Grip 3. Bat Position 4. Shift of Weight 5. Hand Position 6. 'Squishing the Bug' 7. Follow Through and Finish. There are many drills as well that can help aid in the advancing of one's mechanisms including hitting of a tee and soft toss drills. The swing must be very concise and compact since the ball is coming very fast and there is little time to react.[26]

Fastpitch associations[edit]

Associations which support fastpitch softball include:

Each association plays under its own official rules.

USA Softball[edit]

USA Softball was created in 1933 by the ASA. It is still owned and operated by the ASA, and includes the USA Men’s, Women’s, Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ National Team.

Before the 1996 Summer Olympics, the USA Softball National Team Selection Committee was established to make the final cuts for the team that would represent the US at every international competition. The selected 1996 United States softball team won the olympic gold medal with a 3–0 victory over China in the 1996 games.[27]

The United States women's national softball team won three consecutive gold medals at the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Summer Olympic Games. In the 2008 olympic games, the gold medal was won by Japan after they defeated the United States. The US team received the silver medal.

See also[edit]

  • College softball (fast-pitch at a competitive level)

References[edit]

  1. ^'Rule 6' in the official Russian stick contest rule book is written three different ways for each of the different styles. See: 'Official Rules of Softball (Copyright by the International Softball Federation Playing Rules Committee) REVISED 2005'(PDF). International Softball Federation. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2007-02-18. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  2. ^The fastest pitch on record was thrown by Eddie Feigner who was clocked at 104 mph.
  3. ^ abMartin, Douglas (2007-02-13). 'Eddie Feigner, Hard-Throwing, Barnstorming Showman of Softball, Dies at 81'. The New York Times.
  4. ^'Tips for Fastpitch Catchers - Softball is for Girls'. Softball is for Girls. 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  5. ^'The Importance of the Softball Catcher - Softball Spot'. www.softball-spot.com. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  6. ^'25 Tips for Baserunning | Softball Performance'. www.softballperformance.com. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  7. ^'When Softball Began to Play Hardball'. The New Republic. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  8. ^ ab'History of the USA Softball National Team Program'. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  9. ^Michaelis, Vicki (February 14, 2008). 'USA softball team makes pitch with pre-Olympic tour'. USA Today. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  10. ^'International Softball Federation'. 2007-03-04. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  11. ^'IOC approves five new sports for Olympic Games Tokyo 2020'. International Olympic Committee. 2017-06-12. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  12. ^'Hopes For Softball At Games'. West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954). 1953-05-26. p. 9. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  13. ^Ochs, David. 'What Are the Three Sizes of Balls That Are Used in Softball?'. LIVESTRONG.COM. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  14. ^'ASA - Official ball size for co-Ed slow pitch softball'. Slowpitch Softball Forums | SoftballFans.com. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  15. ^In international play, the bats must have ISF-approved stamp. Fastpitch Softball Information 2010-02-07
  16. ^Fastpitch Softball Bat GuideArchived 2010-03-04 at the Wayback Machine 2010-02-18
  17. ^'Everything You Need To Know About Softball Gloves | SoftballGearHQ.com'. SoftballGearHQ.com. 2017-01-30. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  18. ^All about softball pitching 2010-02-07
  19. ^Rules and History of Softball 2010-02-07
  20. ^eTeamz Portal. 'Softball Fastpitch details' 2010-02-09.
  21. ^'Softball Pitching Techniques - Weight Distribution Plays Key Role'. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  22. ^'Archived copy'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2013-10-05. Retrieved 2013-10-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. ^'Fastpitch Softball Pitching Techniques'. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  24. ^ abcWerner, S. L.; Jones, D. G.; Guido Jr, J. A.; Brunet, M. E. (2006). 'Kinematics and kinetics of elite windmill softball pitching'. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 34 (4): 597–603. doi:10.1177/0363546505281796. PMID16282576.
  25. ^Alexander, M. J.; Haddow, J. B. (1982). 'A kinematic analysis of an upper extremity ballistic skill: The windmill pitch'. Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences. 7 (3): 209–17. PMID7127656.
  26. ^'Baseball Swing vs. Softball Swing (CONT.) - The Hitting Vault'. thehittingvault.com. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  27. ^'History of the US Softball National Team Program'. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
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....news - Articles
The Best Pitch in Fastpitch Softball Pitching:
The best pitch as far as fastpitch softball pitching goes is highly debatable. A large majority will argue that a riseball thrown correctly is the most dominant pitch in fastpitch softball. Others will say it's the change up because disrupting timing is so important. Then you have those who believe that the drop ball is the best pitch in fastpitch pitching. I think that it really depends on what level of play you're talking about. For example; from about 10U to 14U the change up is in my opinion the most dominant fastpitch pitch assuming you have a decent fastball. I think the reason is because young kids are so busy trying to catch up to fastballs that seem overwhelming to them at that age. To do this they develop the habit of starting their swing very early which causes them to look very bad on a change up. From 16U to 18U I believe the most dominant pitch is the riseball. If a fastpitch pitcher in this age group can put backspin on a ball with decent speed she can get a large percentage of batters to whiff. You will even see hitters swing underneath riseballs that are straight and flat. The main reason for this is because they expect the ball to be lower. Hitters see so many fastballs that their brain becomes programmed to expect the ball to take a certain path. Even if a riseball hangs and doesn't move up it still fools the hitter because they expect it to drop a little. Also, even though you begin to see many more home runs at the 16U to 18U level, most of them do not have the power to get underneath the ball and still hit it out. Now for the college level of fastpitch pitching. At the college level I believe that the best pitch is a really good dropball. You could make a strong argument that the best pitch is still a really good riseball, however, if you look at the NCAA statistics you will see that pitchers who were know for their riseball give up a ton of home runs. Hitters at the college level can hit pop ups out of the yard. You won't get away with near as many hanging riseballs as you will in the younger age groups. If you have a really good dropball you can be very effective in college. At least when hitters make solid contact the ball will not leave the yard. Lots and lots of ground ball outs is what you will get with a good dropball. If you have a great dropball you can strikeout just as many batters as you would with a riseball. And, if you can get a great rise, a great drop, and a great change, the Olympic team might ring your phone.

Increasing Pitching Speed:
One of the most commonly asked questions from parents of fastpitch softball pitchers is 'how do I help my daughter increase her pitching speed'. This is especially true of the younger age groups. The reason is because parents haven't yet figured out that they are going to need a lot more than a really good fastball to survive in the older age groups. We are as guilty of it as anyone else. When my younger sister was between the ages of 10 and 13, increasing her pitching speed was just about the only thing I was concerned with. Anyhow, I figured I would share one of the best ways to pick up some extra speed on a straight fastball. The Pitcher's Harness is one of the best ways to do this. It is simply a belt that has a very strong, long elastic cord attached to it. Whenever my sister would train to pick up a few miles an hour we would do the following workout at the end of her pitching session. First, she would throw two sets of 10 pitches while pushing out against the resistance of the cord. Then she would do another two sets of 10 pitches with the cord pulling her through. In other words, the cord was stretched out in front of her and assisted the arm, drag, etc. During the resistance part of the workout her speed would be much slower than normal as you would expect. During the assistance part of the workout her speed would be about 2-3 miles an hour faster than her normal pitching speed. During the assistance part of the workout you can see the arm speed pick up which accounts for the increase in speed. You can get these pitcher's harnesses from ClubK. In over 15 years of trying everything under the sun to increase pitching speed it is one of the absolute best ways to accomplish the task. Some other things that help increase pitching speed are distance pitching, weighted balls, and although the TightSpin Trainer is designed to increase the spin and speed of your movement pitches it tends to carry over to your fastball as well. Pitching speed gains that carry over to the fastball from workouts with the TightSpin Trainer are usually 2 - 3 miles per hour.

What's better, movement or speed:
We are constantly being asked, 'what's more important to have, speed or movement'. The answer is very simple, BOTH! If you have a lot of speed but not much movement you are going to get hit hard. Now, of course there are flame throwers in the 10's and maybe even some 12's that can blow straight heat past batters. However, past those age groups heat with no movement gets hammered. On the flip side, what if you have a lot of movement but no speed. This can be equally as bad as having speed only. If you do not compliment the movement with some speed what happens is that batters can track the ball. They pick up the movement and are able to adjust and once again you are getting hit hard. A slow curveball or dropball will have that long sweeping bend to it instead of a late sharp break. What really dominates batters is a combination of movement and speed. You don't have to be the absolute fastest by any means. All you need to be is fast enough to get a late tight break on the ball. In my opinion pitchers should be striving to throw breaking pitches at the highest rate of speed possible. But don't forget that the faster you try to throw your movement pitches the more likely you are to lose your spin. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be able to throw fast movement pitches with the proper spin which of course explains why so few do it. Those who do go on to set all the records and the record setters are never the fastest but rather they have the fastest movement pitches with correct rotation.

Close the hips or keep them open?
I hear people debating all the time on whether a fastpitch pitcher should close the hips or keep them open. When my sister was about 9 years old she began taking pitching lessons. Her first pitching coach always told her to 'Close your hips', he harped on that constantly. She would try so hard to close her hips but every time she tried harder her ball would go to the left (she's a lefty). When that would happen he would blame it on her hips being late or not closing hard enough. Well, to make a long story short, and after years of developing this extremely bad habit we finally figured out that the reason her ball was going to her left was because her hips were TOO EARLY! Her hips were actually getting in the way of her arm causing the ball to shoot off to her left. I am now totally convinced that the hips should be open while the arm is coming though the release point. Maybe they can finish at a 45 once the ball is gone but at release I believe they should be open. This really has a huge affect on your movement pitches. It is impossible to throw a riseball with the hips closing before release. It is also much easier to get the correct rotation on the curve ball with the hips open at release. In short, if your hips are closing too early try keeping them open while you practice for a few days and see if you don't notice a big difference in your movement and control.

Does the Riseball really Rise?
This is the question that pitching junkies absolutely love to debate. The topic has taken on a life of its own over the years. Those who say it does rise really stick to their guns. They can't be swayed by any scientific evidence. They've seen it rise and that's that as far as they're concerned. It's sort of funny because the ones who believe it does rise tend to be the people who have tons of experience in the sport, especially on the field, while the ones who say it doesn't are usually the nerdy types who simply point to the evidence and the facts. The camp that believes it doesn't rise make a pretty good argument even though the pitch works so well. So how does it work so well if it doesn't rise? Their answer is because it drops less which is a very valid point. A hitter is expecting the ball to take a certain path and by dropping less than expected they swing underneath. I've seen hitters swing underneath riseballs thrown below their knees - no kidding! Think of the backspin that is imparted on the ball as fighting against gravity. It's certainly fighting against gravity more than a ball with topspin that is working with gravity. In other words, a fastball and riseball released at the same height and angle with the same amount of rotation (rotation in opposite directions) and speed will not hit the same target. The fastball will hit the target at a lower point than the riseball, hence the riseball 'dropped less'. I honestly can't say one way or the other whether the riseball really rises or not. I do not believe a female pitcher can make it happen. And until somebody proves otherwise, I'm not sure a man can do it either. I always go back to a pitching machine. A pitching machine is essentially throwing riseballs. I do not believe that a human can put anywhere near the amount of rotation on the ball as a pitching machine can. And even if they could, the balls coming out of a pitching machine aren't rising. I hope that one of the really good men's pitchers will prove that it can rise. But, at the end of the day the only thing that matters is whether or not the pitch works. If you can put tight backspin on a softball with decent speed you can get the majority of hitters to swing through the pitch at youth levels of play. I've seen kids dominate at the 18 Gold level throwing in the mid fifties with very tight rotating riseballs with almost flawless angles of spin.
Shoulder Injury Prevention for Fastpitch Softball Pitching:
One of the best things a fastpitch softball pitcher can do to prevent rotator cuff injuries is Theraband exercises. They are extremely easy to do and take only a few minutes. Therabands are elastic cords that come in all sorts of different degrees of resistance. They help strengthen the shoulder joint. In softball pitching, the force that is created with extremely fast arm speed causes the joint to separate during the circle. The looser the joint, the more separation, and the more likely you are to be injured. Theraband exercises strengthen the muscles around the shoulder joint to help stabilize it during the windmill. We use them to worm up before pitching as well as afterwards. You will get some different opinions on when to do the exercises. I had a doctor tell me to only do them after pitching because doing them before could cause fatigue which could lead to injury during your pitching workout. However, most Major League Baseball players warm up with them before pitching and one would assume that they're getting the best medical advice out there. Consult your doctor to see what's best for you but I highly recommend the exercises. The small amount of time it takes far outweighs the lengthy time off you'll need if you ever develop tendonitis or some other shoulder joint issue. Search Google for Therabands and you'll find some good exercises.
Finding a Place to Pitch in during the Winter:
This can sometimes be the most frustrating thing you run into if you want to be an elite level pitcher. To stay on top, you simply can't take the winter months off just because you can't pitch outside. You must find somewhere to pitch indoors but it's much easier said than done. Here are some ideas that we've came across over the years: If you have a pitching coach ask him/her if you can use their facilities on days other than the one that you normally have your pitching practice. One day a week won't cut it if you want to be a dominant pitcher. Go to your local high school, middle school or local community college and ask the coaches there if you can get in the gym during basketball practice. You can pitch on the side or if you're lucky enough many gyms have a track area that's sits above the basketball court. And, if you're extremely lucky and you do enough sucking up you might even get a key eventually. If you know any local business owners who have space in their building or warehouse you can try there. Worst case scenario is you will have to go to a local indoor batting cage and try to work out a reasonable deal to use one of their lanes for an hour or so 3-4 times a week. If you look hard enough you will find a place. The way to get the best deal there will be to pay for the whole winter in advance rather than pay each time you go. It will take some persistence though so don't give up if the first place you ask turns you down. Find a place to pitch in the winter and come spring time you will be very glad you did.

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Coach

Lower Back Problems and Softball Pitching:
Over the years we have seen many softball pitchers who develop lower back issues. Although there are several different mechanical flaws that can cause this, the one thing that they all seem to have in common is this: When they plant the stride foot they are leaning forward a bit. Then, in an effort to get more power in the pitch they lean back very fast, almost snapping back. Like any bad habit it takes a lot of time and effort to correct this. I believe the best way is to get the pitcher to get in the position that they end up snapping to before the stride foot hits and resists. This will eliminate that jerking motion that occurs when they resist and bend backward with so much force. Again, bad habits are really hard to break and it takes a lot of focused effort.

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Speed Drills

Who Should Call the Pitches?:
Everyone has an opinion on this topic. Some fastpitch gurus will tell you that the coach should call the pitches. Some of the reasons which support this theory include #1 the coach has more experience and is better equipped to call the right pitch, at the right time, in the right situation, to the right batter. It could also be argued that the coach has the scouting chart with him in the dugout which makes it much easier for him/her to call the best possible pitch. On the other hand you will have those who insist that it is the catcher who should be calling the pitches (keep in mind that these people usually have a daughter that cathces). :) Some arguements on their side include #1 it is less likely for the other team to pick the signals since the coach's signals are basically shown to everyone on the field including the opposing dugout. Also, it can be argued that the catcher has a better view of the batter; where they are standing in the box, are they all over the plate (it's hard for a coach to tell how close to the plate the batter is from the side), are they stepping in, stepping out, all of these nuances are detected much easier by the catcher. After trying both ways, here is what we've found works best: A variation of the two. We would have our catcher give us signals as to what the batter is doing. For instance, if the batter was standing all over the plate we might have our catcher tap her knee, or if the batter is stepping out we might have her touch her mask. Anything will do to give the pitch caller in the dugout a better idea of what the batter is doing that will make them more likely to be vulnerable to certain pitches. Try all three and see what works best for your team.

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Speed

Average and Top Pitching Speeds for Various Age Groups:
Keep in mind that the speeds listed are just what we have seen after 17 years of being around fastpitch softball. They are by no means totally accurate, simply a rough estimation.
10U - Avg. Speed 38-42 - Top Speed 48-53 Low to mid 50's is very rare.
12U - Avg. Speed 44-50 - Top Speed 53-59 Upper 50's is extremely rare but we have seen as high as 61 mph from a 13 year who was still eligible to play 12U
14U - Avg. Speed 49-54 Top Speed 56-61
16U - Avg. Speed 53-57 Top Speed 60-68 Again high 60's is very rare but there are a few capable
18U - See 16U