Slow Pitch Softballs

Slow pitch softballs come in three different sizes - 10 inch, 12 inch and 16 inch. Many people play fast pitch softball with the 10 inch softballs, although they can be used as slow pitch softballs. Slow pitch softballs are pitched underhanded with a high arc to the ball.

Slow pitch softballs must be pitched underhanded in order to follow the rules of the game.

Original slow pitch softballs were boxing gloves that were rolled up. The reason softball was invented was to give baseball players a chance to practice the game indoors. This is why the first slow pitch softballs were created to be so soft, so that they could be played indoors. When you are playing with slow pitch softballs today, you are playing outdoors because when hit, the slow pitch softballs will take out windows, although they do not travel as fast or as far as hard balls.

When you are playing with different sized slow pitch softballs, different rules apply. These rules apply to pitching as well as catching. Many people play slow pitch softball with 16 inch slow pitch softballs. There is no need to use a glove when you are playing with these slow pitch softballs as they are soft enough to catch with your bare hands. You also need to use a thinner bat when you are playing with 16 inch slow pitch softballs.

When you are playing with 12 inch slow pitch softballs, you need to wear a glove to catch the ball in the field. Some people use regular baseball bats to hit 12 inch slow pitch softballs that are made out of aluminum or wood. Because the 12 inch slow pitch softballs are smaller and travel faster than the 16 inch softballs, gloves are worn to protect the hands. The gloves that are worn to catch these slow pitch softballs are larger than ordinary baseball gloves. The pitching style is still curved when playing with 12 inch slow pitch softballs, although the arc is not as pronounced.

If you are playing with 10 inch slow pitch softballs, the arc is not as apparent and the pitching style, while underhanded, is much faster. For this reason, many people classify this type of softball playing as fast pitch softballs.

Chances are if you are in a league, you are playing with 12 inch slow pitch softballs as this is the most common type of softball played in leagues. If you enter a game at your local park, however, you will most likely be playing with 16 inch slow pitch softballs as there is less equipment needed for this game and it is a much slower style game as well as easier to play than 12 inch slow pitch softball.

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