Fast-Pitch Softball Glossary
Learn the language of Fast-Pitch Softball — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
65 terms
- Adjusting to Speed ChangesIntermediateAdjusting to speed changes is a hitter's ability to recalibrate load and swing timing mid-at-bat when a pitcher mixes in a slower pitch after establishing a faster one. This involves avoiding the classic "way out in front" miss on a changeup.
- Ball BlockingIntermediateBall blocking is the technique of dropping to the knees to smother a pitch in the dirt. This prevents wild pitches and passed balls that would allow baserunners to advance.
- Bat PathIntermediateBat path is the trajectory the barrel travels through the hitting zone. This means ideally a slightly upward, direct line that maximizes the time the barrel stays in the plane of the pitch.
- Bullpen Routine (Fast-Pitch)IntermediateA bullpen routine is a pitcher's structured warm-up and between-outing throwing sequence, building from short-distance arm circles to full-mound-distance pitches across her full pitch mix.
- Bunt and RunIntermediateA bunt and run sends the baserunner on the pitch. At the same time, the batter is already committed. This forces the defence to choose between fielding the ball and covering the steal.
- Bunt for a HitIntermediateA bunt for a hit is an offensive attempt to reach base rather than advance a runner, relying on placement and speed instead of trading an out for a base.
- Catcher Throwing MechanicsIntermediateCatcher throwing mechanics encompass the footwork, transfer, and arm action a catcher uses to quickly and accurately throw to a base to retire a stolen-base attempt or catch a runner off base.
- Catcher-Pitcher CommunicationIntermediateCatcher-pitcher communication is the ongoing exchange of signals, mound visits. Shared read of the hitter that lets a battery agree on pitch selection and location before every pitch.
- Change of SpeedsIntermediateChange of speeds is a pitching strategy of deliberately varying pitch velocity. This means not just pitch type. This means to disrupt a hitter's timing, most commonly by mixing a changeup in with a full-speed fastball or movement pitch.
- ChangeupIntermediateA changeup is an off-speed pitch thrown with the same windmill motion as the fastball but 10-20 mph slower, disrupting the hitter's timing. As a result, they commit early and swing ahead of the ball.
- Chip SlapIntermediateA chip slap uses a short, quick adjustment step instead of a full crossover, letting a slapper stay compact and react late against fast pitching or off-speed pitches.
- Circle Change RecognitionIntermediateCircle change recognition is a hitter's ability to identify a circle changeup out of the pitcher's hand or early flight. As a result, she can hold her swing rather than lunging in front of the slower pitch.
- Compact Swing TimingIntermediateCompact swing timing describes a short, direct path from load to contact that minimizes the time between triggering the swing and the bat reaching the ball. This gives a hitter more margin for error against fast-pitch's short reaction window.
- Contact PointIntermediateThe contact point is the specific location in front of (or at) the plate where the bat meets the ball. This means which varies by pitch location, pitch type, and desired ball-flight direction.
- Corner Infield PlaysIntermediateCorner infield plays are the defensive assignments and positioning of the first and third basemen when the short game is in play. This means charging bunts, reading the hitter's slap, and executing the correct throw to the right base.
- Count AdvantageIntermediateCount advantage describes which side the current ball-strike tally favours, and how each should adjust because of it.
- Crossover Slap StepIntermediateThe crossover slap step is a footwork pattern where a slapper crosses her back foot in front of her front foot to begin moving toward the pitcher before swinging, generating momentum into contact.
- Crow HopIntermediateA crow hop is an illegal pitching motion in which the pitcher replants the pivot foot after the initial push-off, effectively relaunching and gaining an unfair advantage in distance or momentum.
- Curveball – Fast-PitchIntermediateA curveball is a fast-pitch pitch thrown with lateral spin that causes the ball to break sharply to one side as it reaches the plate, disrupting a hitter's timing and eye-line.
- Drag BuntIntermediateA drag bunt is a bunt for a base hit where a fast runner. This means typically a left-handed slapper. This means starts moving toward first before contact. This uses the running start to beat the throw.
- Drop BallIntermediateA drop ball is a fast-pitch pitch thrown with topspin that causes it to dive sharply as it nears the plate, inducing ground balls and swings over the top of the ball.
- Drop Step (Pitching Wind-Up)IntermediateThe drop step is a wind-up style in which the pitcher steps back and slightly to the side with the non-pivot foot before driving forward. This uses the extra backward motion to build additional momentum toward the plate.
- Extension at ContactIntermediateExtension at contact is the point in the swing where the arms reach near-full length through the contact zone, transferring maximum energy from the kinetic chain into the ball.
- Figure-8 Wind-UpIntermediateThe figure-8 wind-up is a distinct legal fast-pitch delivery style in which the pitching arm swings the ball down past the hip, back behind the body, and forward through release, tracing a figure-eight. This means the ball never travels over the head as it does in the windmill circle.
- First Baseman Bunt CoverageIntermediateFirst baseman bunt coverage is the responsibility to charge bunts hit toward the first-base line while the second baseman covers first base in her place.
- First-Pitch Strike RateIntermediateFirst-pitch strike rate is the percentage of at-bats in which a pitcher throws a strike on the very first pitch, one of the strongest single indicators of overall pitching effectiveness and control of the count.
- High Pitch HandlingIntermediateHigh pitch handling is the discipline and technique to either lay off rise balls above the zone or, when swinging, use a flat-to-slightly-upward bat path to make solid contact rather than swinging under them.
- Hip Rotation – BattingIntermediateHip rotation in batting is the explosive turn of the hips toward the pitcher that initiates the kinetic chain from lower body to bat, generating power and bat speed at contact.
- Hip Snap – PitchingIntermediateHip snap is the rapid rotation of the pitcher's hips from the open, sideways stride position back to square with the plate. This means closing the hips. This means transferring lower-body momentum into the torso and arm just before release.
- Hit and RunIntermediateThe hit and run is an offensive play where the baserunner breaks toward the next base on the pitch, committing the defense. At the same time, the hitter makes contact to put the ball in play and protect the running runner.
- Home-to-First TimeIntermediateHome-to-first time is a stopwatch measurement of the seconds it takes a batter to travel from contact at home plate to touching first base, used as a standardized speed benchmark in evaluation and recruiting.
- Inside Pitch ApproachIntermediateThe inside pitch approach is the technique for hitting a ball on the inner third of the plate. This means pulling the hands in, getting the barrel through early, and driving the ball to the pull side.
- Lead TimingIntermediateLead timing is when and how far a baserunner leaves the base in anticipation of a pitch being put in play or a steal attempt. This requires coordination with the pitcher's release point.
- Leg Drive – PitchingIntermediateLeg drive is the forward force the pivot leg generates against the rubber to launch the pitcher's body toward home plate, forming the base of the kinetic chain the windmill arm circle rides on top of.
- Load Timing (Hitting)IntermediateLoad timing is when and how a hitter shifts weight back and coils the upper body in preparation for the swing, synchronized to the pitcher's delivery rather than started on a fixed internal clock.
- Manufacturing RunsIntermediateManufacturing runs is the execution of a sequence of small offensive actions. This means walks, bunts, steals, contact hits, and productive outs. This means that collectively score a run without requiring extra-base power.
- Middle Infield Bunt CoverageIntermediateMiddle infield bunt coverage is the shortstop and second baseman's job of covering second and third base and backing up throws when the corner infielders and pitcher vacate their positions to field a bunt.
- Outside Pitch ApproachIntermediateThe outside pitch approach is the technique for driving an outer-third pitch. This means staying back, extending through the ball deeper in the zone, and using the whole field rather than trying to pull it.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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