All About Olympic Softball - Kitten Ball or Mush Ball

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Seven innings, a smaller field and a bigger ball are some of the differences between softball and baseball

There are three major classifications for softball: fast-pitch, slow-pitch and modified pitch. But only fast-pitch is played at the Olympics, and only women compete in that event.

Softball is similar to baseball. The primary equipment consists of balls, gloves, bats and bases. Rules of play are similar in both sports. But there are differences in pitching, equipment and field size.

And a really big difference in scoring. You score runs the same way in baseball, but not nearly as often. At elite levels, virtually every softball game is a pitchers' duel.

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Pitchin' in 

Much of a team's success rides on the arms of its pitchers, all of whom throw underhand

There are five main pitches in softball, and very few pitchers have mastered all of them.

Lisa Fernandez of the United States is among an elite group of pitchers who can throw a fast ball, a curve ball, a drop ball, a change-up and a rise ball, which is exclusive to softball.

Bring out the best in your players, both on the field and in the game of life.  

Coaching Girls' Softball: From the How-To's of the Game to Practical Real-World Advice--Your Definitive Guide to Successfully Coaching Girls

Coaching Girls' Softball: From the How-To's of the Game to Practical Real-World Advice--Your Definitive Guide to Successfully Coaching Girls

by: Kathy Strahan

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Kathy Strahan has done an excellant job at presenting all aspects of coaching in a very easy to understand approach.
Following her instruction would make any new and even seasoned caoch better.

Rise up 

The rise ball is unique to softball because it can only be thrown with an underhand delivery. The rise ball crosses the plate above the release point. However, the rise ball doesn't rise uniformly; it dances and darts upwards unpredictably.

Pitchers must train for years to master this pitch, and its required spin, fluid wrist motion and precise release point. A good rise ball confounds batters because the sudden upward motion goes against the mechanics of a hitter's swing.

A low-scoring affair 

Of course, the fastball is challenging, too. Given that a softball pitcher stands 5.8 metres closer to the plate than a baseball pitcher (who stands 60 feet, six inches from the plate), a softball pitcher who throws 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) is as frightening to a batter as a baseball pitcher who throws 95 mph.

By mixing velocities and location with curve balls and drop balls - two other effective pitches with movement - pitchers can make it almost impossible for hitters to sit back and wait for a friendlier pitch. Mix in a good change-up, and it's little wonder fast-pitch softball games tend to be low-scoring affairs.

To try to redress the imbalance, officials have made bats lighter. Softball bats are made of hard metal composites that add pop when contact is made.

Batters have also adjusted to the intimidating pitching by adding bunts, slap-hits and bloop singles to their arsenal. They do whatever is required to keep the ball in play.

 

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USA Softball's Bound 4 Beijing Pre Olympic Tour Promo Features Action footage of some of the 2008 Tour stops. See the New 2008 Uniforms! visit USA Softball's home page: www.usasoftball.com

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A speedy affair 

A seven-inning softball game is usually completed within 90 minutes, compared with the nearly three hours it takes to play the average nine-inning baseball game.

Various factors contribute to the relative brevity of the softball game. First, because lead-offs are prohibited, pitchers don't have to waste time monitoring the base runners. Secondly, the softball field is smaller than the baseball field, with the bases closer together.

Jennie Finch - USA Top Pitcher - Really

Jennie Finch Autographed Team USA Softball Jersey (Olympic Womens Softball) 

Jennie Finch Autographed Team USA Softball Jersey (Olympic Womens Softball)

Jennie Finch Autographed Team USA Softball Jersey (Olympic Womens Softball)

Amazon Price: $333.00 (as of 11/24/2009)Buy Now

Jennie Finch Autographed Team USA Softball Jersey (Olympic Womens Softball)

JENNIE FINCH SIGNED 11X14 PHOTO - 2004 OLYMPIC SOFTBALL GOLD MEDAL - CEREMONY 

JENNIE FINCH SIGNED 11X14 PHOTO - 2004 OLYMPIC SOFTBALL GOLD MEDAL - CEREMONY

JENNIE FINCH SIGNED 11X14 PHOTO - 2004 OLYMPIC SOFTBALL GOLD MEDAL - CEREMONY

Amazon Price: $58.14 (as of 11/24/2009)Buy Now

Collectible Series: Sports

This item is authenticated by SuperStar Greetings. Item will come with a tamper resistant hologram on the item as well as on the Certificate of Authenticity and Photo from the signing

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Great for picnics 

MacGregor Chicago 16

MacGregor Chicago 16" Softball

Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 11/24/2009)Buy Now

I purchased two softballs and they were a hit at my wife's family reunion. You don't need gloves (although, you could use them). Just a bat and the balls will allow you to play. We use the rule bounce or fly; catch the ball on a single bounce or fly & the batter's out. Highly recommended.

Blog Posts from Google 

Abbott makes softball dreams come true
FORT WALTON BEACH ? There was so much Crestview's Courtney Adams wanted to ask Olympic softball player Monica Abbott. There was just one problem; ...
Gold medalist featured at clinic
The Olympic medalist will be featured at the Olympic Gold Medal Softball Clinic on Dec. 5 in Imperial. Mendoza will share her experience and skill that led ...
Community sports events
BY SHANE DONOVAN ? FLORIDA TODAY ? November 19, 2009 Three players from the 2008 USA Olympic Softball Team will offer a two-day camp at Viera Regional Park ...
Valley Benefits Phoenix Business Journal
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund donated about $26800 in October to Special Olympics Arizona to help fund its Unified Softball program, including equipment, ...
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Mush Ball 

Softball became a sport when Chicago Board of Trade reporter George Hancock laid out the rules for an indoor activity in 1887. Eight years later, a Minnesota fireman moved the game outside to keep his colleagues active and in shape during their down time at the firehouse.

The sport has been known as kitten ball, mush ball and Army ball, and has even been played with a small version of a medicine ball. The sport Hancock described became widely known as softball after Arthur T. Noren wrote the book Softball in 1940.

Since then, softball has become one of the most widely played team sports in the world. It is a "lifetime" sport, played by people of all ages and abilities and both sexes, often together in co-ed leagues.

At last count, there were more than 110 countries affiliated with the International Softball Federation, with an estimated 40 million softball participants worldwide.

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