Sports are a well-loved pastime and hobby for many people across the country. There’s a big chance that you’ve probably seen your dad or other family member yelling at the TV screen while watching his favorite sports team. Maybe you have cheered on a sibling who was playing a sports game at school or on the weekends. Sports are a really important part of many people’s lives. It brings people together and gives people outlets for physical activity or viewer entertainment.
Softball happens to be one of those popular sports. When people normally think of traditional softball, they might think of some middle school or high school girls playing on a school team, wearing big bows in their hair, with black stripes painted under their eyes. That is one form of softball that many girls play throughout their adolescent years. There is also college softball that is much more competitive and athletic.
What was just described is fastpitch softball. This variation of the sport is normally played by young girls or women and is not played after college. There is another form of softball that is played and enjoyed by people of all ages, though. This type of softball is called slowpitch softball.
The difference between the two forms of the same sport is clearly stated in the name. Each form of softball requires a different pitching style. However, there are other differences between these two types of softball that don’t just have to do with pitching style.
When playing slowpitch or fastpitch softball, you need certain equipment that is required for each game. Things like gloves, cleats, helmets, and softballs are all the same throughout, but it’s the softball bat that has different requirements when it comes to both types of softball.
What’s the Difference?
Since the pitching style between fastpitch and slowpitch softball is so different, the batting style has to be different, too. In fastpitch, the pitcher has to wind the softball up by using a windmill-like arm motion. This builds momentum, which also picks up the speed of the ball. This type of pitching style allows the ball to travel as much as 50-60 mph.
For slowpitch softball, the pitching style excludes the windmill motion. The pitcher only tosses the ball in an underhand motion, almost lobbing the ball across the plate. Most slowpitch pitchers have to reach at least a 6-12 foot arch in the trajectory of the ball for it to be considered the correct pitching form.
Because of the difference in pitching style, each variation of softball requires a different type of softball bat and allows for different hitting styles. The technique of bunting is highly utilized in fastpitch softball. This is a technique to help advance players to further bases to score more points.
Softpitch softball doesn’t allow that. The specific pitching style allows for batters on the plate to try and hit the ball as far as they can. Because of these different techniques, it’s within your best interest to find a high-quality softball bat that was specifically designed for the form of softball that you play. If you’re playing slowpitch softball, consider searching for Miken slowpitch bats.
Miken slowpitch bats are some of the most high-quality slowpitch softball bats you can find. At HBsports, they have a great selection of Miken bats to choose from. With slowpitch, you need a bat that can make solid contact with the ball to hit it as far as possible. With Miken bats, you have that perfect balance for a level swing and the ability to drive the ball far outfield.
Check out headbangersports.com to find all of their Miken bats.