Slowpitch or Fastpitch?

With the emergence of softball as being included in the national and international tournaments, two types of softball rose up based on how you are going to pitch the ball. These are the fastpitch ball and slowpitch softball. In some ways they are the same, but there also distinct differences from one another. It is up to your choice if what kind of softball pitching you want to do – fastpitch or slowpitch!

Among the two, fastpitch softball is enjoyed by many because of its rapid pitching. The awesome throws always left the audience struck. There are many pitching styles used in this type. One common style is the “windmill type” pitch. This is done by doing the 360-degree rotation of the pitching arm. The ball is brought up in a circular motion, initializing it at the hip, and then raise it over the head and back to the hip again. Pitchers in this game should snap their wrist upwards when the ball is already centered in the middle of their body, and then release it. This release is very critical in a fastpitch softball for it causes a spin motion on the ball, adding more speed to it. Thus, making it hard for the batter to hit it. There are many pitches that can be made out of this style like 2-seam ball, fastball, drop ball, changeup and many more. It is a fast-paced game, making it more exciting and interesting to watch.

Slowpitch softball is another type that others prefer, mostly girls and aged people. Unlike in the fastpitch softball which requires strength and agility of men, slowpitch softball is not as rapid as the other one. The possibility of hitting the ball is likewise great. You would always have the chance to hit ball because of its slow motion. The commonly used pitching style is the arch pitching. The ball is pitch up and comes down into the strike zone on a slant, or diagonal way. The skills are almost the same with the fastpitch softball, but the speed and the pace of the game is not the same. Your task then is to pitch the ball in a way that the hitter won’t able to hit.

Whatever you’ll choose, the slowpitch or the fastpitch softball, your interest and your stamina will be the determiner which one will be the best softball for you when softball pitching. Though there are slight differences between the two, but the skills is almost the same. Just bear in mind that pitching the ball is the one that you should master!

Marc Dagenais is a Softball Peak Performance Coach that helps softball players turn their athletic talent into extraordinary performances and help coaches get more out of their players, turn their struggling team around or get an edge over their opponents. Visit us to sign-up to get our FREE softball pitching tips!