Edit Article

Interested in fast pitch softball? This article offers some pointers to get you started.


Incomplete_856.gif

This article has been tagged as a stub.


That means it's off to a good start, but still has plenty of room to grow before it reaches its full potential. Can you help it flourish? If you think the article offers complete and accurate instructions, feel free to remove this tag!

TITLE6.png

This article may benefit from a new introduction.


You can help wikiHow by improving the current introduction, or writing a new one to match the format described in the Writer's Guide. Please remove this notice once this page has been improved. Notice added on: 2012-06-21.

EditSteps

  1. 1
    Choose a game. You need to choose your age group. Depending on how old you are, you play in certain divisions.In softball, the oldest age allowed is followed by a U. So 12U would be 12 and under. The earliest age you can start in most towns is as early as T-Ball (4-6 year olds) and goes up to 18U before college, etc. So, make sure you check around to see if there is a softball association near you to start your child in. A good place to start is Little League, which is a league for recreational players up to 14 years old, and then after offers an all stars program for the serious player. Since this is the first time playing, you should probably not do travel or serious programs like all stars, because it will take away the fun of the game for you if you end up sitting out most of the time.
  2. 2
    Find equipment. You will need- a helmet, a glove, cleats (softball cleats cannot be used for soccer,because they have an extra spike in front, but soccer cleats can be used for softball),a bat, and a bag to carry everything in. It is optional to wear a mask, which is a good idea for older girls playing infield. Batting gloves are also optional, they take away the sting of the ball hitting the bat. The helmet is so then if a wild pitch comes, your head will be protected, or if you accidentally hit yourself in the head while swinging (I've been playing for 8 years and I still do that). The bat is to hit the ball, and the glove is to catch it. Sadly, some people didn't know what the glove was for. So yeah. There are plenty of articles to help you pick out this gear on Wiki How.
  3. 100_3316.jpg
    3
    Clothes! You have to pay for a uniforms at the start of the season. They usually consist of pants or shorts, a jersey, long colored socks, and cleats. It is important to dress appropriately. a good basic outfit is shorts or sliding pants, long tube socks, a T shirt, and a sweatshirt in case you get cold. Also, some wear Under Armour, which is either long or short sleeved and goes under the jersey. This keeps you warm.
  4. 4
    Lens12319561_1281990251softball girl cheers.jpg
    Decide your position. There are nine spots on the field. Pitcher, catcher, 1st base, 2nd base, shortstop, 3rd base, left field, right field, and center field. Sometimes, a younger division might have two center fielders so kids get to play more. Make sure that you choose more than one. This creates a better player, and coaches will keep you in, but move you around. Also, you may find that you are better at a position that you hadn't even wanted to play. And sometimes you may have to spend a while in the dugout on the bench. Be flexible. The coach knows what's best for the team and you as a player, and is only there to help you learn how to play and foster your love for the game.
  5. 5
    Get to playing! Now, here's the playing help.
    • Fielding- So, whether you are right or left handed, usually you throw with your writing hand. The glove goes on the opposite hand. When the ball comes towards you, stick the glove out and let the ball roll into the glove, or put your glove in front of it in the air an grab it. Don't close your eyes, because the ball might miss the glove and hit you. If it does hit you, usually damage isn't severe.
    • Throwing- This is simple; all you do is take your hand with the ball and extend it back. Then quickly, snap it over your head (the height) and release. The ball should at least make it a little bit, and your arm becomes stronger, enabling you to throw longer and harder. Be careful- if the girl is not looking, don't throw it. That happened to me and I was bawling.
    • Hitting- hitting is also simple. You swing the bat and hit it. If the ball is at your ankles or your head, don't swing. 4 Balls= free base. 3 strikes= strikeout. These rules may not apply in younger divisions. If the ball is caught in the air, you are out, and you have to go sit down in the dugout instead of base running.
    • Base Running- often overlooked, base running is one of the most important part of the game. Repeat that- one of the most important parts of the game. The goal of the game is to step on each base (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Home) without getting thrown out, tagged out, etc. You should probably not steal or slide your first time, as this can be messy. Just focus on getting to the next base, which is sort of like a resting point. You are allowed to run when the ball is hit, unless if you are stealing, which you will learn about in time.
  6. 6
    It may seem very complicated now, but with a little help from a coach, I'm sure you'll get a grasp on it very quickly.

We could really use your help!

Can you tell us about
fashion?
Yes
No
fashion
how to pull off black lipstick
Can you tell us about
estate planning?
Yes
No
estate planning
how to set up an Estate
Can you tell us about
soldering?
Yes
No
soldering
how to solder aluminum
Can you tell us about
sabbaticals?
Yes
No
sabbaticals
how to plan a sabbatical
Thanks for helping! Please tell us everything you know about
...
Tell us everything you know here. Remember, more detail is better.
Tips
Provide Details.
Please be as detailed as possible in your explanation. Don't worry about formatting! We'll take care of it. For example:
Don't say: Eat more fats.
Do say: Add fats with some nutritional value to the foods you already eat. Try olive oil, butter, avocado, and mayonnaise.
Submit

Article Info

Categories: Stub | Summarization | Softball

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 306 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No