The slapping of the leg is a technique used by younger pitchers to distract the batter. Slapping the leg can distract the batter as they’re looking for the pitch, and the loud sound can interfere with their concentration.
Why do softball players slap their leg?
If you look at videos of a vast majority of elite pitchers, they finish their pitch with their glove on the inside of the glove side leg, slapping it. It is to keep all of their forward motion going toward the plate.
Why do softball pitchers throw like that?
Baseball leagues often have fairly strict limits on how many innings pitchers can pitch or how many pitches a player can throw. … One reason is that softball pitchers throw underhand, a motion thought to stress the arm less than the overhand throws seen in baseball.
What is the hardest pitch to hit in softball?
4. The Most Devastating Pitch Is . . . The most effective and devastating pitch in softball is the flip changeup. It is also probably the hardest to truly command, as the release is completely backward and opposite of everything else you throw.
Why do softball pitchers grunt?
When my daughter gets into a funk where she misses the zone for a few pitches, she will grunt or yell ‘cut’ to help with the timing of her release. It is not done to distract the batter.
Why do softball pitchers twist before they pitch?
Why it is wrong: For some reason, so many pitching coaches teach their students to twist the thumb backwards before releasing the ball to “create a better snap.” The only thing that this technique really ends up doing is creating unnecessary tension and a potentially crooked circle.
Why do softball pitchers throw underhand?
Although fast-pitch softball may be less risky than youth baseball, the potential for injury still exists. … One reason is that softball pitchers throw underhand, a motion thought to stress the arm less than the overhand throws seen in baseball.
Can softball pitchers pitch every day?
According to a study by the Washington University of Medicine in St. Louis, softball pitchers are able to pitch every day because the motion of the pitch is thought to be safer than the motion of a baseball pitch.
How fast is the average softball pitch?
Throwing 63 miles per hour will get you noticed by scouts, but the average pitching speed for college softball ranges from 58-65 miles per hour, taking all divisions into consideration.
Why are softball fields so small?
A softball field has 60 feet between each base while baseball’s bases are 90 feet apart. … The reasoning behind both items is that women have smaller hands and don’t have the power necessary to throw the ball as efficiently on a baseball-sized field.
How fast should a 12 year old softball pitcher pitch?
Average softball pitching speed by age
| Age | Average Pitching Speeds | High-end Averages |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 41 – 48 MPH | 49 – 53 MPH |
| 13 | 45 – 53 MPH | 54 – 56 MPH |
| 14 | 46 – 54 MPH | 55 – 58 MPH |
| 15 | 49 – 54 MPH | 55 – 60 MPH |
What is the fastest softball pitch ever thrown by a girl?
The fastest recorded softball pitch is 77 mph (123.9 km/h), achieved by Monica Abbott (USA) on 16 June 2012 in a National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) game for the Chicago Bandits against the Carolina Diamonds in Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA.
What hurts more a softball or baseball?
However, it is scientifically proven that softball is harder than baseball. The speed of pitches, the reaction time for hitters and fielders, and the distance of the field indicates that softball is indeed harder than baseball.
Do baseball players grunt?
Grunting isn’t something that you see/hear in baseball all the time but the fact that both of these flame throwers grunted on every pitch made me think that there must be something to it. In tennis grunting is part of the game and is the sport most people associated with grunting.
Can a pitcher grunt?
There are pitchers that are taught to grunt – now, the excuse may be that it forces them to breathe…or it’s some kind of martial arts type mental state thing – but the reality is it has this added benefit of distracting the batter.