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Fast-Pitch Softball Glossary
Learn the language of Fast-Pitch Softball — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
178 terms
- Pitching Machine Distance and Speed (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateA machine closer than game distance feels faster than its dial says. A rough rule is equivalent speed = machine speed × 43 ÷ machine distance in feet. A machine at 35 feet set to 49 mph gives about the reaction time of a 60 mph pitch from 43 feet. Use the distance for your age group in place of 43.
- Position Flexibility (Recruiting)AdvancedPosition flexibility is a player's demonstrated ability to play more than one position well. In recruiting, it widens the college rosters she could fit.
- Power SlapAdvancedA power slap is a slapper's full swing taken with a running start through the batter's box. It drives hard grounders and line drives past a drawn-in infield.
- Pulling the Ball Foul (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateFoul balls to the left for a right-handed hitter, or to the right for a lefty, usually mean you hit the ball too far out in front. You started early, opened your lead shoulder too soon or tried to pull an outside pitch. Let the ball travel deeper and drive it up the middle.
- Push BuntIntermediateA push bunt uses a firmer, more deliberate bat push rather than a soft catch-and-give. It drives the ball past the pitcher, between first and second base.
- Push-Off – PitchingIntermediateThe push-off is the initial drive of the pivot foot against the pitching rubber, converting leg power into forward body momentum at the start of the windmill delivery.
- Quick HandsIntermediateQuick hands describe a short, direct path from the load to the ball. Fast-pitch hitters need this compact swing to be on time with under 0.5 seconds to react.
- Reaction WindowAdvancedThe reaction window is the fraction of a second a fast-pitch hitter has to read the pitch, decide whether to swing, and start the swing — one of the shortest in any sport due to the combination of pitch speed and short pitching distance.
- Reading Spin Out of the HandAdvancedReading spin out of the hand means spotting a pitch's spin direction right after release. Seeing it early buys extra reaction time against movement pitches.
- Reading the Bunt DefenseIntermediateReading the bunt defense means checking, before the pitch, how the corners and pitcher are set to field a bunt. That read decides bunt type and placement.
- Reading the PitcherAdvancedReading the pitcher is the baserunner's ability to pick up timing cues in the pitcher's delivery — arm position, release tempo, or body tilt — to optimize their lead and steal timing.
- Recognizing a Drop Ball EarlyAdvancedRecognizing a drop ball early means reading its topspin before the late break. The hitter can then adjust the bat path down instead of rolling over the ball.
- Recognizing a Riseball EarlyAdvancedRecognizing a riseball early means reading its low release angle and backspin before it breaks. The hitter can then lay off pitches climbing out of the zone.
- Recruiting Video (Skills Video)IntermediateA recruiting (skills) video is a short, structured video of a player's core skills. It introduces her to college coaches who haven't seen her play in person.
- Release Point – Fast-PitchIntermediateThe release point is where the ball leaves the pitcher's hand, usually near the hip at the bottom of the windmill circle. It sets the pitch's path and spin.
- Return to BaseBeginnerReturning to base is the baserunner's ability to retreat back to their original base quickly when the ball is not put in play, avoiding a pickoff or tag-out after their lead.
- Rise BallIntermediateIn fast-pitch, a rise ball is a pitch thrown with backspin that makes it flatten or climb late. It arrives higher than expected, so hitters swing under it.
- Riseball SpinAdvancedRiseball spin is pure backspin, roughly a 6-to-12 spin direction, put on the ball at release. It makes a rise ball appear to rise as it nears the plate.
- Running SlapAdvancedA running slap is a full-speed slap where the hitter is already moving toward first at contact. The swing becomes the first strides of a sprint.
- Sacrifice BuntBeginnerA sacrifice bunt is a soft tap into play, made on purpose to advance a baserunner. The batter trades their own out for a runner moving into scoring position.
- ScrewballAdvancedA screwball moves in on a same-side hitter, breaking the opposite way to a curveball, and it comes from an outward wrist twist at release with the hand turning away from the body.
- Screwball Spin DirectionAdvancedScrewball spin direction is the outward, pinky-leading wrist turn at release. The spin is opposite a curveball's, so it breaks in on same-handed hitters.
- Short GameBeginnerThe short game is fast-pitch's low-power, high-pressure attack: bunts, slaps, and push bunts. It moves runners and beats defenses with speed, not power.
- Showcase Camp (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateA showcase camp is an in-person event where fast-pitch players do standardized skill tests in front of college coaches. Many also include scrimmages.
- Situational HittingIntermediateSituational hitting is adjusting your approach to the game: score, inning, count, runners, and outs. The goal is to give your team the best chance to score.
- Slap Approach TimingIntermediateSlap approach timing syncs a slapper's crossover footwork with the pitcher's release. The final step and swing should land together, not early or late.
- Slap Footwork Variations (Jab Step, Crossover and Running Starts)AdvancedSlappers move their feet in a few common patterns. The simplest crosses the back foot over toward the pitcher and makes contact as it lands. A two-step version starts with a small jab of the front foot, forward or back, for timing, then crosses over. A running slap turns those steps into the first strides toward first base.
- Slap HittingAdvancedSlap hitting is a left-handed offensive technique where a fast runner moves through the batter's box toward the pitcher while making contact, converting their running start into a head-start toward first base.
- Slap or Swing Away (Slapper's Decision)AdvancedA slapper should swing away when the defense crowds in to stop the slap and bunt, when she gets a pitch up she can drive, or when the game needs extra bases. If the corners and shortstop play back, a soft touch or drag bunt usually works better. The power slap is the swing-away option with a running start.
- Sliding TechniqueIntermediateSliding technique is the controlled fall a baserunner uses to reach a base beneath a tag — covering the feet-first pop-up, the hook away from the glove, and the head-first dive.
- Slingshot Wind-UpBeginnerThe slingshot wind-up is a simple fast-pitch delivery. The arm goes straight back to about shoulder height, then forward in one pass to release.
- Small Ball StrategyBeginnerSmall ball strategy is a team offensive philosophy that prioritizes manufacturing single runs through bunts, steals, hit-and-runs, and sacrifice plays rather than waiting for extra-base hits.
- Soft SlapIntermediateA soft slap is a short, controlled slap that places a slow ground ball where the infield cannot make a quick play. The slapper runs through her crossover, keeps her hands inside the ball and meets it out in front with a short, firm stroke. Most slappers aim it at the left side of the infield, where the throw to first is longest.
- Soft Toss vs Front TossBeginnerSoft toss and front toss are two ways a partner feeds underhand tosses into a hitter's swing. In soft toss, the tosser kneels or stands to the side, or at an angle in front, and the hitter drives the ball into a net. In front toss, the tosser stands in front, about 15 feet away behind a protective screen, so the ball comes from the pitcher's direction. Soft toss suits mechanics and many reps; front toss adds timing.
- Softball Swing vs Baseball Swing (Fast-Pitch)BeginnerThe core swing is the same, but fast pitch gives you less distance and different ball paths. The pitcher is much closer, throws underhand from flat ground and can make the ball rise. So fast-pitch hitters use a shorter load, start earlier and match a level or rising pitch instead of baseball's downhill one.
- Speed to First BaseIntermediateSpeed to first base is how quickly a batter gets from home to first. It is usually stopwatch-timed and used to judge bunt, slap, and infield-hit potential.
- Spin AxisAdvancedSpin axis is the imaginary line around which a pitched ball rotates, determining the direction of movement. A horizontal axis creates vertical break (rise/drop), a vertical axis creates horizontal break (curve/screwball).
- Squeeze Bunt (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateIn fast-pitch, a squeeze bunt is called with a runner on third. The short 40-to-43-foot distance makes it unusually risky, with no time to react to the pitch.
- Stepping in the Bucket (Stride Direction)IntermediateStepping in the bucket means the front foot strides away from the plate, toward the pull side, instead of toward the pitcher. That drags the lead shoulder and the barrel off the ball, so outside pitches become weak grounders or misses. The fix is a short step toward the circle, landing closed or only slightly open.
- Stolen BaseIntermediateA stolen base is the advancement of a baserunner to the next base on their own initiative during a pitch, relying on a quick jump, reading the pitcher's release, and superior speed over the catcher's pop time.
- Stride Length – PitchingIntermediateStride length is how far the pitcher's front foot travels from the rubber toward home plate. It is one of the clearest visible signs of lower-body drive.
- Strike Zone – Fast-PitchBeginnerIn fast pitch, the strike zone is the space over any part of home plate between the batter's armpits and the top of her knees. It is judged from a natural batting stance. A legal pitch that enters that space is a strike, even if the batter does not swing.
- Strikeout PitchIntermediateA strikeout pitch is a pitcher's go-to pitch for finishing two-strike at-bats. It is their most reliable swing-and-miss weapon, given the batter's tendencies.
- Striking Out Looking (Too Passive at the Plate)BeginnerHitters strike out looking when they wait too long to decide or wait for a perfect pitch. Fear of swinging and missing also freezes them. Fast-pitch pitchers make it worse with curves on the corners and drops that start at the knees. Get ready to swing on every pitch, widen your zone with two strikes and learn the umpire's zone early.
- Swing Decisions (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateA good swing decision means swinging at pitches you can drive and taking the rest. In fast pitch, the common chases are rise balls above the zone and drops or curves in the dirt. Get ready to swing on every pitch, then hold up on balls, and narrow your zone early in the count.
- Swing Sensor Metrics (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateA bat sensor clipped to the knob estimates numbers about the swing itself, not the ball. Common ones are bat speed, peak hand speed, time to contact, rotational acceleration, on-plane efficiency, vertical bat angle and connection. Good values depend on the device and the level. Use the maker's softball tables and compare yourself over time.
- Swinging Down on the Ball (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateMost hitting coaches no longer teach a literal downward swing. In fast pitch, a barrel that travels level to slightly upward through contact matches the flight of most pitches and produces line drives. 'Swing down' still works for some hitters as a cue to keep the hands above the ball and stop dropping the barrel under a rise ball.
- Switch Hitting (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateSwitch hitting means batting from both sides of the plate. In fast-pitch, the more common path is for a fast right-handed player to learn to slap from the left side. This starts her closer to first base and already moving at contact. A full switch hitter also swings away from both sides, which takes far more practice. Speed, bat control and patience usually decide which path fits.
- Teaching a Young Fast-Pitch Hitter (Parent Guide)BeginnerTeach a young fast-pitch hitter the basics in order. Start with a balanced stance and eyes on the ball, then a short stride and a level, on-time swing. Use a light bat she can control, lots of tee and soft-toss swings with soft balls, and short sessions that praise solid contact.
- Timing the Pitcher's ReleaseIntermediateTiming the pitcher's release means starting the swing in sync with the ball leaving her hand near the hip. The cue is the release, not the whole arm circle.
- Tracking the Ball (Seeing the Pitch in Fast-Pitch)IntermediateTo see a fast pitch better, pick it up early at the pitcher's hip, where she releases it. Keep your head still and both eyes level. Use a soft focus on the pitcher, then a hard focus on the release area. Many coaches point out that the eyes cannot follow a fast pitch all the way to the bat, so seeing it early matters most.
- Travel Ball ExposureIntermediateTravel ball exposure is the recruiting value a player gets from a competitive travel team. It comes from events that college coaches are known to attend.
- Two-Strike ApproachIntermediateA two-strike approach is how fast-pitch hitters adjust with two strikes. Most shorten the swing, cover more of the zone, and favor contact over power.
- Where to Stand in the Batter's Box (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateStand where you can reach the outer edge and still be on time. Moving up meets drops, curves and changeups before they finish moving. Moving back buys a little more time against a hard thrower. Many hitters start in the middle and adjust to each pitcher.
- WindmillBeginnerThe windmill is fast-pitch's underhand delivery, with a full 360° arm circle before release. It creates the speed and pitch deception that define the game.
- Working Ahead in the CountIntermediateWorking ahead means regularly reaching pitcher-friendly counts (0-1, 0-2, 1-2). She can then expand the zone and use her put-away pitch with far less risk.
- Wrist Snap – PitchingIntermediateThe wrist snap is the final burst of the wrist and fingers at release in the windmill delivery. It is the main source of both pitch velocity and spin.
- Zone DisciplineIntermediateZone discipline is a hitter's ability to reliably swing at strikes and lay off balls. It must hold up against a fast release and pitches that move late.
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