🥎 Fast Pitch Softball 101
- AWSN Editor
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Your Quick-Start Guide to the Game!
AWSN is bringing your Fast Pitch Softball this summer, so it's time to make you superfans! Fast Pitch is in a league of their own (😉), it's not just young women playing at Southern Universities in sweltering heat, well, it is that, but it's also pro. In fact, those collegiate superstars feed into the leagues you will be watching here on All Women's Sports Network.
📋 What is Fast Pitch Softball? Here's the 101...
Fast Pitch Softball is a fast-paced team sport where players pitch underhand, aiming to strike out batters, make epic defensive plays, and score runs. It's a close cousin to baseball—but with a few twists!
Basic Rules
👥 Teams: 2 teams of 9 players 🏟️ Field: Bases 60 ft apart, pitching distance ~43 ft (for women) 🎯 Objective: Score more runs than the other team by hitting and running the bases.
🔄 Gameplay
Innings: 7 innings total (each team bats once per inning)
Pitching: Underhand "windmill" style
Strikes/Balls: 3 strikes = out, 4 balls = walk
Outs: 3 outs per half-inning
Stealing Bases: Allowed! But timing is key.
🧤 Defense
Common positions: Pitcher, Catcher, Infielders (1B, 2B, SS, 3B), Outfielders (LF, CF, RF)
Double plays, diving catches, and quick throws = highlights!
🧠 Fun Facts
🥇 Olympic Sport: Fast Pitch Softball was reintroduced in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics!
🎉 Speeds: Pitches can hit 70+ mph—reaction time is less than a second!
🕶️ Softball isn’t soft! Despite the name, the ball is hard and slightly larger than a baseball (12 inches in circumference).
👧 Girls’ Favorite: It's one of the most popular youth sports for girls in the U.S.
🛠️ Gear Up!
Glove: Position-specific (bigger for outfielders, smaller for infielders)
Bat: Aluminum or composite, lighter than baseball bats
Helmet & Face Guard: Required for batters and base runners
Cleats: Often metal at advanced levels
Uniform: Jersey, pants/shorts, and socks—team colors, of course!
🤩 Why It’s Awesome
💪 Builds speed, strength, and teamwork
🧠 Sharpens focus and strategy
🌟 It's inclusive, competitive, and incredibly fun
👯♀️ Many players make lifelong friends through softball!
🗣️ Lingo You’ll Hear
“K” = Strikeout
“No-no” = No-hitter
“Slapper” = A speedy batter who bunts or soft-hits while running
“Dinger” = Home run! 🚀
🏁 Ready for it?
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