The curveball is a breaking pitch thrown to the corner of the plate. Breaking pitches are those that do not travel in a straight line. After releasing it from the mound, the curveball takes a bowed and downward path toward the plate.
What is a curve ball in softball?
In baseball and softball, the curveball is a type of pitch thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball, causing it to dive as it approaches the plate. … The expression “to throw a curveball” essentially translates to introducing a significant deviation to a preceding concept.
What is an illegal throw in softball?
For those not familiar, an illegal pitch in softball occurs when the pitcher breaks a rule while delivering her pitch. The illegal pitch is called by the umpire, resulting in an awarded ball to the batter in the box. … A re-plant occurs when the pitcher begins her drag, stops, and re-continues it during her pitch.
What is the fastest softball pitch ever?
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.
Which way does a curveball go?
Generally speaking, a ball thrown with a spin will curve in the same direction that the front of the ball (home plate side, when pitched) turns. If the ball is spinning from top to bottom (topspin), it will tend to nosedive into the dirt. If it’s spinning from left to right, the pitch will break toward third base.
What does an illegal pitch in softball look like?
If non-pivot foot goes in front of the plate plate it is an illegal pitch. Once hands have been brought together the pitch must start. Bringing the hands together for a 2nd time is not part of the pitch. Forward step with non pivot foot must be simultaneous with the delivering the ball.
Can a batter hit an illegal pitch?
Penalty for an illegal pitch
The pitch shall be called a ball. … However, if the batter hits the ball and reaches first base safely, and if all base runners advance at least one base on the action resulting from the batted ball, the play proceeds without reference to the illegal pitch.