Fast-Pitch Softball Glossary
Learn the language of Fast-Pitch Softball — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
112 terms
- Pick Play (Pitcher Pickoff)AdvancedA pick play uses the pitcher's quick throw toward a base, often set up with a shortstop or second baseman sneaking in behind a runner, to catch an aggressive baserunner leading off too far.
- Pitch CommandIntermediatePitch command is the ability to reliably place a pitch. This means not just anywhere in the strike zone. But in a precise, intended spot. This means across every pitch type in a pitcher's arsenal.
- Pitch Grip VariationsIntermediatePitch grip variations are the different finger placements and seam contacts a pitcher uses on the ball to help produce each pitch type's intended spin, from a four-seam fastball grip to off-center grips for movement pitches.
- Pitch LocationBeginnerPitch location is where in (or out of) the strike zone the pitcher places the ball. This means the combination of horizontal quadrant and vertical height that makes a pitch effective or hittable.
- Pitch Recognition (Fast-Pitch)IntermediatePitch recognition is the umbrella skill of identifying pitch type, spin, and speed early enough in flight to make an appropriate swing decision, combining release-point reading, spin reading, and speed-change adjustment into one applied skill.
- Pitch SequencingAdvancedPitch sequencing is the deliberate ordering of pitches across an at-bat. This means using pitch type, speed, location, and movement to set up and exploit a hitter's reactions.
- Pitch TunnelingAdvancedPitch tunneling is the principle of releasing multiple pitch types through the same visual "tunnel" early in flight. As a result, they look identical until they diverge near the plate, too late for the hitter to adjust.
- Pitcher's Fielding PracticeIntermediatePitcher's fielding practice (PFP) is a dedicated drill set training pitchers to execute defensive plays. This means covering first base, fielding bunts, handling comebacker grounders, and backing up bases.
- Pitcher's Workload ManagementAdvancedA pitcher's workload management is the deliberate tracking and limiting of pitch counts, innings. Rest between outings to reduce overuse injury risk and preserve performance over a season.
- Pitching CircleBeginnerThe pitching circle is the eight-foot-radius ring marked around the pitcher's plate. Foot-placement rules attach to the pitcher's plate itself. The circle's main rulebook role is the look-back rule. This means once the pitcher has the ball in the circle, a runner off base must immediately advance or return.
- Pitching DeceptionIntermediatePitching deception is the set of techniques a pitcher uses to disguise pitch type and location. This means including consistent arm speed, same release point, and minimizing tell-tale grips. This means to delay or confuse the hitter's read.
- Position Flexibility (Recruiting)AdvancedPosition flexibility, in a recruiting context, is a player's demonstrated ability to competently play more than one position. This broadens the range of college rosters where she could realistically fit and contribute.
- Power SlapAdvancedA power slap is a slapper's full. This drives swing executed. At the same time, moving through the batter's box. This means combining a running start with a complete swing to drive hard ground balls and line drives past a drawn-in infield.
- Push BuntIntermediateA push bunt uses a firmer, more deliberate bat push rather than a soft catch-and-give. This drives the ball past the pitcher into the space between the first and second baseman.
- 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 position to the ball. This means the compact swing mechanic fast-pitch hitters need to stay on time in a sub-0.5-second reaction window.
- 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. This means 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 is a hitter's ability to identify a pitch's spin direction in the very first fraction of its flight, before the resulting break is visually obvious. This gives extra reaction time against movement pitches.
- Reading the Bunt DefenseIntermediateReading the bunt defense means identifying, before the pitch, how the corner infielders and pitcher are positioned to field a bunt, and using that read to decide bunt type and placement.
- Reading the PitcherAdvancedReading the pitcher is the baserunner's ability to pick up timing cues in the pitcher's delivery. This means arm position, release tempo, or body tilt. This means to optimize their lead and steal timing.
- Recognizing a Drop Ball EarlyAdvancedRecognizing a drop ball early means identifying the pitch's topspin pattern and slightly higher release angle before its late downward break, letting the hitter adjust the bat path down rather than rolling over the top of the ball.
- Recognizing a Riseball EarlyAdvancedRecognizing a riseball early means identifying that a rise ball is coming from its low release angle and initial spin pattern before it begins its late upward-relative break. This allows the hitter to lay off pitches climbing out of the zone.
- Recruiting Video (Skills Video)IntermediateA recruiting video, or skills video, is a short, structured video showing a player's core skills. This means hitting, fielding, throwing, running, and position-specific work. This means used to introduce her to college coaches who have not seen her play in person.
- Release Point – Fast-PitchIntermediateThe release point is the exact moment and location. This means typically near the hip as the arm passes the bottom of the windmill circle. This means where the ball leaves the pitcher's hand, determining both the pitch's initial trajectory and its 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 BallIntermediateA rise ball is a fast-pitch pitch thrown with backspin that causes it to flatten or climb late in its path, arriving higher than expected and causing hitters to swing under it.
- Riseball SpinAdvancedRiseball spin is the pure backspin. This means roughly a 6-to-12 spin direction. This means that a pitcher imparts at release to make the ball appear to rise as it nears the plate, the aerodynamic mechanism behind the rise ball.
- Running SlapAdvancedA running slap is a full-speed slap approach in which the hitter is already moving toward first base at contact, converting the swing into the first strides of a sprint.
- Sacrifice BuntBeginnerA sacrifice bunt is intentionally tapping the ball softly into play to advance a baserunner, trading the batter's out for a runner moving into scoring position.
- ScrewballAdvancedA screwball moves in on a same-side hitter, breaking the opposite way to a curveball. 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 wrist rotation at release. This means the hand screwing away from the body, pinky leading. This means that produces a vertical-axis spin opposite to the curveball, breaking the pitch in toward a same-handed hitter rather than away.
- Short GameBeginnerThe short game is fast-pitch's collection of low-power, high-pressure offensive tactics. This means bunts, slaps, and push bunts. This means used to move runners and beat defenses with speed rather than power.
- Showcase Camp (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateA showcase camp is an in-person event where fast-pitch softball players perform standardized skills testing and often scrimmage in front of college coaches. This gives coaches direct, comparable evaluation of many players at once.
- Situational HittingIntermediateSituational hitting is the ability to adjust your offensive approach based on the game situation. This means score, inning, count, runner placement, and number of outs. This means to give your team the best chance to score.
- Slap Approach TimingIntermediateSlap approach timing is the coordination between a slapper's crossover footwork and the pitcher's release point. As a result, the final step and swing land together instead of racing ahead of or lagging behind the pitch.
- Slap HittingAdvancedSlap hitting is a left-handed offensive technique where a fast runner moves through the batter's box toward the pitcher. At the same time, making contact, converting their running start into a head-start toward first base.
- Sliding TechniqueIntermediateSliding technique is the controlled fall a baserunner uses to reach a base beneath a tag. This means covering the feet-first pop-up, the hook away from the glove. The head-first dive.
- Slingshot Wind-UpBeginnerThe slingshot wind-up is a simplified fast-pitch delivery in which the pitcher raises the arm straight back to about shoulder height in a single motion, then brings it forward through just one pass of the arm circle before 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.
- Speed to First BaseIntermediateSpeed to first base describes how quickly a batter can travel from home plate to first base, most commonly measured as a stopwatch time and used to evaluate bunt, slap, and infield-hit potential.
- Spin AxisAdvancedSpin axis is the imaginary line around which a pitched ball rotates, determining the direction of movement. This means a horizontal axis creates vertical break (rise/drop), a vertical axis creates horizontal break (curve/screwball).
- Squeeze Bunt (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateA squeeze bunt in fast-pitch is called with a runner on third. The short 40-to-43-foot pitching distance makes it unusually risky. This means nobody on the field gets time to react to how the pitch is actually thrown.
- 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 the distance the pitcher's front foot travels forward from the pitching rubber toward home plate during the delivery. It is one of the clearest visible indicators of how much lower-body drive is contributing to a pitch.
- Strikeout PitchIntermediateA strikeout pitch is the specific pitch a pitcher goes to in two-strike counts to finish the at-bat. This means their most reliable swing-and-miss weapon given the batter's tendencies.
- Timing the Pitcher's ReleaseIntermediateTiming the pitcher's release is a hitter's skill of synchronizing swing initiation to the moment the ball leaves the pitcher's hand near the hip, rather than to the arm circle's motion as a whole.
- Travel Ball ExposureIntermediateTravel ball exposure is the recruiting value a player gains from playing on a competitive travel team at tournaments and events where college coaches are known to attend and evaluate talent.
- Two-Strike ApproachIntermediateA two-strike approach is the adjustment fast-pitch hitters make when they have two strikes. This means typically shortening the swing, protecting the zone more broadly, and prioritizing contact over power.
- WindmillBeginnerThe windmill is the underhand fast-pitch delivery in which the arm makes a full 360° circle before release, generating the velocity and movement-pitch deception that define the game.
- Working Ahead in the CountIntermediateWorking ahead in the count means a pitcher reliably gets to counts favoring the defense. This means 0-1, 0-2, 1-2. This means which lets her expand the strike zone and use her best put-away pitch with far less risk.
- Wrist Snap – PitchingIntermediateThe wrist snap is the final acceleration of the wrist and fingers at the moment of release in the windmill delivery. This means the primary source of both pitch velocity and spin.
- Zone DisciplineIntermediateZone discipline is the hitter's ability to reliably swing at pitches in the strike zone and lay off pitches outside of it, even under the pressure of a fast release and movement pitches.
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