Fastpitch Softball: A Complete Introduction To Getting It Right
Many people believe that softball was created as an offspring of baseball. This is not true. In fact, the birth of softball was influenced more by football than baseball. It all started at the Farragut Boat Club in Chicago in 1887, where alums of Yale and Harvard waited for news on the results of a football game between the two universities. When the news finally came that Yale won by 17-8, an excited Yale fan threw a boxing glove at a Harvard fan, who responded by hitting it with a broomstick.
A reporter, George Hancock, watched the events unfold and then encouraged them to play a game he initially called indoor baseball, and this led to the formation of softball. Over time, softball became popular in several US States and neighboring countries like Canada. In the late 30s and early 40s, the sport became officially known as softball. It had multiple variants, but the one that stuck most was fastpitch softball.
The growing popularity of fastpitch softball led to the formation of both men's and women's commercial and semi-pro leagues around the world. Some of these leagues still exist today, and most sportsbooks offer their odds along with MLB odds and betting markets from other leagues.
Here, we'll explore everything you need to know about fastpitch softball. So, whether you're planning on watching a game, playing one, or just generally looking to start betting on major league baseball and various softball leagues, you've come to the right place.
Despite being one of the earliest forms of softball, fastpitch softball didn't get popular until 1930, more than four decades after the original sport was invented. By then, the men's and women's competitions garnered public attention, with fans mainly complimenting the fastness of the games.
In high-level games, the ball moved at roughly 85 mph to a batter who was 46 feet away. Pitchers also used the underhand ball delivery, which made it difficult and more exciting because it allowed them to make the ball perform amazing aerobics on its way to the batter.
Due to the rising popularity of fastpitch softball at the time, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) created a fastpitch softball national championship that allowed the best teams and players from all over the country to compete. Teams qualified for the nationals through regional and state tournaments, leading to fierce competition with teams competing not only to win but to sign the best players. There were also reports that some teams were paying their star players enough to make a living.
Fastpitch softball's biggest blow came with the rise in popularity of television in the mid-50s. Televisions led to a massive decrease in game attendance. Also, more teams switched to slow-pitch softball.
Fastpitch softball is easy to learn, especially if you're familiar with the rules of baseball. The major difference between the two is that while baseball is pitched overhand, softball is pitched underhand. Also, the balls are slightly different, with softball having a bigger and softer ball. Plus, a broader bat and smaller field.
Furthermore, fastpitch softball is also different from slow-pitch softball in the quickness and technique of pitches. Slow-pitch softball uses the slow ball lobbying technique, while fastpitch softball uses quick underhand pitches.
Each team has ten players, making it twenty in total. There are seven innings in two halves, and each inning has two rounds where each team takes turns to field and bat. A half-inning is not stopped until a team ( the field team) gets three outs.
To win a softball game, you'll need to score more runs than your opponent, and a run is scored when a player runs and touches all four bases in counterclockwise order. All the bases must not be touched in the same play to be counted as a run.
The batter can remain on a base while play is on and attempt to move to the next base on a later play. However, if there's a force out in the play where the runners cross the home plate or last base, it doesn't count as a run.
The game starts with a pitcher and a batter. Like baseball, pitches in softball can be fair, foul, or a ball.
If a batter records four foul balls, he gets to walk to first base without a hit. If there's a fair pitch and the batter doesn't swing at it or misses the swing, it's called a strike. If a batter records three strikes, it's counted as an out, and three outs from an offensive team signify the end of an inning and the switching of sides.
A batter hitting the ball makes him a baserunner, and he must touch all four bases to score a run. If a batter hits a fair ball, the opposing team can try to catch the ball and tag the runner. A tag is successful when the defensive team touches the baserunner (who's not on a base) with the ball, gloves, or hand holding the ball. A successful tag is an out against the batter. Also, when the batter hits the ball, and the defensive team catches the fly ball, it is declared an out.
Fastpitch softball is an easy sport to learn, especially if you've played or watched a baseball game before. Fastpitch softball also differs from slow-pitch football in the quickness and technique of the pitches.
If you're looking to enjoy professional softball and learn more about the game, you can follow NCAA Softball and the Women's Professional Fastpitch league.
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Are you new to the world of fastpitch softball? Here is everything you need to know about the sport.
