Fastpitch softball

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Fastpitch softball is a sport played commonly by girls, mostly starting at the age of 6 through college age, though male and co-ed fastpitch leagues also exist. The United States women's national softball team has won back-to-back-to-back gold medals at the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics. In the most recent Olympics, only one run was scored against the USA team. The United States will field a team for the next Olympics in 2008. After that, the event is slated to be removed due to the number of players and the field space that has to be built.

Pitchers throw the ball underhanded at speeds up to 76 mph from 40 or 43 feet away. This is the equivalent to being faster than that of a 90 mph baseball pitch.

The pitching style is completely different from that of that of slowpitch softball. Fastpitch pitchers throw the ball in what is called a "windmill" type of pitch. This style of pitching involves bringing the ball in a circular motion, starting at the hip and then bringing it up over the head and completing the circle back down at the hip. The release is crucial in fastpitch. The pitcher must snap his/her wrist upwards at the exact moment the ball is centered in the middle of his/her body. This release causes a spin motion on the ball, which thus contributes to a significant part of the speed.

There are many different pitches that can be thrown with this style of pitching. Theres 2-seam fastball, 4-seam fastball, changup, riseball, dropball, curveball, offspeed,screwball, and more. The most common are the change-up, the drop ball, and the rise ball. These pitches can be taught in many different styles, depending upon the pitching coach's method. The basic appeal of being able to throw these pitches at such a high speed is that it speeds up the entire game and creates more action and intensity. The Fastball is also a crucial pitch and that is what most girls build off of. If you have a good fastball your changeup will be more effective. There are three types of changeups. The circle Change, The Backhand Change, and the plan ball change. There is also a lot of hitting bundting and slap bundting from the left side of the plate.

It is a high speed game so there is stealing and always something going on. You can steal every base including home. Most Leagues have the dropped third strike rule that allows you to run to first if you strike out and the base isn't occupied. You can only steal when the pitcher is not in the circle with the ball. The only exception is if you run without stopping. to this rule is if the pitcher is in the circle and Softball is just like baseball, only the ball is bigger. If you are younger you will play with an 11 in. ball but the older girls play with a 12 in. hard ball. There are many professional softball organizations around the world such as the Philadelphia Force and the Chinese National Teams. There are many rec. leagues and some you can check research softball in your area. It is a great sport for men and women and girls of all ages to get out learn a skill and enjoy the game of softball. But Maple Grove STORM is best place to go to play or watch real fastpitch softball. :]

[edit] Fastpitch Associations

There are various associations supporting fastpitch softball such as USSSA and ASA. Each association has their own official rules.