Fastpitch Softball

1
Fastpitch Softball

• Presentation By
• Laura Campbell

2
Overview

• History
• Regulation Play
• Defensive Positions
• Equipment

3
History

• Thanksgiving Day 1887 Indoor baseball invented
  by George Hancock
• 1933 Amateur Softball Association formed
• 1933 1st national softball tournament for men
  and women
• 1965 International Professional Womens
  Softball League formed
• 1980 International Professional Womens
  Softball League disbands
• 2004 ASA registered 250,000 teams with over 4
  million members

4
Regulation Games

• 7 innings (21 outs per team on offense)
• 9 players on the field
• Pitcher
• Catcher
• Infielders 1st base, 2nd base, short stop, 3rd
  base
• Outfielders Right field, center field, left
  field
• Designated Hitter bats in place of a designated
  teammate in the field
• Bases - 60 feet apart
• Ball 12 inches with seams

5
Pitcher

• All pitches thrown with underhand windmill
  delivery
• Fast Ball fastest pitch, usually thrown for
  location
• Change-up pitch thrown deceptively slow to
  throw off a batters timing
• Curve Ball thrown with rotation that makes the
  ball curve
• Rise Ball thrown with rotation that rises
• just as it gets to the batter
• Drop Ball thrown with rotation that drops
• off as it reaches the batter
• Screw Ball thrown with rotation that
• breaks inside on right handed batters and away
• from left handed batters

6
Catcher

• Positioned behind home plate
• Calls and catches pitches
• Must be quick with good blocking abilities
• Good arm
• Catchers Equipment
• Catchers mitt
• Helmet with face mask
• Chest protector
• Shin guards

7
Middle Infielders

• 2nd Baseman positioned between 1st and 2nd base
• Shortstop positioned between 2nd and 3rd base
• Good fielding range
• Involved in most double
• play situations

8
Corners

• 1st Baseman
• 3rd Baseman
• Anticipates and covers bunts
• Not afraid to move in closer to batters
• Reacts quickly to ball
• Covers base on pick off plays and steals

9
Outfielders

• Right Field
• Center Field
• Left Field
• Speed and range to
• cover ground
• Strong arm
• Ability to judge flyballs

10
Equipment

• Bat
• Glove
• Ball
• Cleats
• Batting Helmet
• Batting Gloves

11
Bats

• Bottle Bats
• Used by younger
• players who are
• developing swing
• technique
• Shorter Barrel Bats
• Used by players
• with a good eye
• and good swing
• Brands
• Demarini, Anderson, Miken, Louisville
• Slugger

12
Gloves

• Size 11 to 15 inches
• Types
• Fielders mitt
• Catchers mitt
• heavy padding using to absorb shock of pitches
• 1st Basemans mitt
• larger size pocket for easier catch

13
Softball

• Color Yellow or White
• 12 inches
• Hardness measured by COR rating
• The higher the core rating, the harder the ball
• High Seams
• Make it easier to grip ball when throwing
• Helps pitchers to throw other pitches

14
Other Equipment

• Helmet
• Ponytail
• Universal
• Must meet NOCSAE standards
• No cracks or loose padding
• Cleats
• Rubber used in amateur play to reduce injury
  risk
• Metal used in intercollegiate play
• Batting Gloves