Softball vs. Baseball "Its not the same game"
Softball vs. Baseball "Its not the same game"
Topics: fastpitch softball, youth sports
Posted by badbonesinc Mon Sep 1, 2008 23:46:37 MDT
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Softball vs. Baseball
“Its not the same game”
A major misconception about softball is that it's just the girl's version of baseball with a smaller field, shorter game time, and of course the weird windmill style pitching. However, softball is far from soft and easy, and this game is very intense and sometimes a lot more exciting than baseball.
With a smaller field, the corners are sometimes only a few feet from the batter and everyone must react quicker to dig out any groundballs that come their way. There are no double pumps like baseball, a small hesitation like that will cause you to lose a game.
Pitching underhand is not as easy as it looks and the pitches are a lot faster than they seem. Softball pitchers have different pitches just like baseball. Softball batters must be prepared for change-ups, rise balls, curve balls, and even drop balls that are similar to the baseball version of a breaking ball. The pitcher is also only 40 feet from the batter at home plate, by the time she releases the ball she’s at 35 feet This means the batters don't have much time to react. Only .341 seconds to hit a rising ball. Another interesting fact about softball pitchers, they throw with enough force that the ball bat collision has been measured has been measured over 4,000 lbs of force. Compare that to a baseball, at only 2411 lbs of force!
Another exciting feature of softball is the slap. The slap is basically a left-handed batter hitting the ball while running through the batters box. This gives the batter a running start as they race to first base to try and beat the throw. It only takes 2.8 seconds to get down to first, remember no double pumps. A slap is just a little harder than a bunt and, if the infield is not prepared, a slap can really change the outcome of any game.
Once on base, runners also have different rules to follow versus the baseball runners. Softball runners cannot take their foot off of the base until the ball leaves the pitchers hand. This does not make it easier for the catcher however, who has to keep on eye on all of the runners and be ready to jump out from behind the plate to prevent a steal or keep a runner close to her bag.
Softball games are faster paced when compared to the normal baseball games because of the smaller field. There is also less downtime between pitches since the pitcher doesn't have to watch for lead off runners. The slap also makes it exciting and changes the tempo of the game.
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