Supposedly, the most common type of softball is slow-pitch softball. A common question is: what makes the best slow-pitch softball bats? We’ll get right to this in the forthcoming paragraphs. What are the characteristics of each category? Here’s what you should know on this topic.įor one thing, there are slow-pitch softball bats. ![]() When you’re looking for the best softball bats, you might be taken aback by the different categories of bats you can find on the market. That’s because they need to catch the balls that are thrown at high speeds. Meanwhile, first baseman and catchers wear mitts featuring extra padding. Thereupon, wearing adequate gloves significantly diminishes that harsh sting. Evidently, you feel that vibration as well, which can have an unpleasant, stinging effect. That’s because when the ball makes direct contact with the bat, it creates an instant vibration throughout the bat. The primary reason why gloves are preferred is hitting. The main distinction between the two is that gloves are less padded while featuring individual fingers. However, most players prefer wearing gloves. Glovesįor the game, it’s just as important to wear appropriate gloves, or catching mitts. These help players maintain their grip on the bat thus, preventing players from losing control of the bat, especially in the case of wild swings. We’re referring to large end-caps on the handle. Meanwhile, younger players might need to use bats equipped with safety knobs on the end. It’s worth noting that some leagues have particular restrictions concerning aluminum and wood bats. As a rule of thumb, approved bats should feature the ASA logo. Once again, depending on your league, your bat has to be approved by the Amateur Softball Association of America. Typically, the length of most softball bats is of 34 inches. ![]() Secondly, a softball bat is just as mandatory. Concurrently, organized leads require the balls to meet the ASA specifications, which provide clear guidelines regarding the ball’s color, circumference, and bounciness – or coefficient of restitution. On the other side, in the case of slow-pitch games, 16-inch balls are used. When it comes to fast-pitch games, players prefer using 12-inch balls, or even smaller. Let’s have a look at the purpose of each.įirst and foremost, you’ll need a ball – surprising, right? Essentially, softballs come in a wide range of sizes, whose circumference ranges from 10 to 16 inches. Next, we’d like to outline the main pieces of equipment you’ll need for a softball game. The equipment was changed so that it would last longer, and to make the game more appealing and challenging. Why is it called softball when the ball is actually hard? In fact, the ball is made of hard leather, being filled with rubber, cork and synthetic materials.Īs we’ve noted beforehand, the name softball was officially given in 1926 – that’s because the ball used to be soft.Įssentially, the game went through numerous modifications over the years, and this is one of the most noteworthy ones, might we add. Why Is It Called Softball If The Ball Isn’t Soft?Ī common curiosity about softball is the one regarding its name. And while the game has undergone a range of modifications since its creation, it is one of the most beloved sports around the world, especially in Australia, Japan, and China. Lastly, in 1991, women’s fast-pitch softball was chosen to debut as a medal sport, during the Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1996. ![]() One year afterward, the first Men’s World Championship was played in Mexico. This organization would be responsible for governing the sport around the world.Īs for the very first international world championship, it took place in 1965 – during the event, women’s teams deriving from five countries competed in Australia. Apparently, the fact that American servicemen used to play and teach the game during World War II played a significant role in this respect, as well.ġ952 was the year when the first meeting of the International Softball Federation (ISF) was held. In time, softball continued to grow in popularity. The reporter that was responsible for writing about the event – Leo Fischer – contributed to the establishment of the Amateur Softball Association. Moving on, the first official softball tournament that ever took place was in 1933.Īnd it happened in conjunction with Chicago’s World’s Fair. Hence, it was only in 1926 when the term softball was used.
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