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Slow-Pitch Softball Glossary
Learn the language of Slow-Pitch Softball — answer-first definitions with real examples, beginner to pro.
180 terms
- 16-Inch Softball (Chicago Softball)Beginner16-inch softball is a slow-pitch game played with a bigger ball, at least 16 inches around. It was invented in Chicago in 1887 and is still a Chicago tradition, known for fielders playing bare-handed. Under USA Softball rules, men pitch from 38 feet with 60-foot bases. Unlike regular slow pitch, runners may lead off and be picked off.
- Adjusting to a Flat ArcIntermediateAdjusting to a flat arc means triggering slightly earlier with a flatter bat path. The pitch peaks near the legal minimum and arrives faster and flatter.
- Adjusting to a High ArcIntermediateAdjusting to a high arc means triggering the swing later and steepening the bat path slightly. The pitch peaks near the legal maximum and drops sharply.
- ArcBeginnerThe arc is the high, looping flight path a legal slow-pitch delivery must follow. USA Softball requires a peak between 6 and 10 feet (12 feet in senior play). USSSA instead requires at least 3 feet of arc above the release point and caps height at 10 feet above the ground. Hitters time their swing to the ball's descent, not its rise.
- Arc Height RegulationBeginnerArc height regulation defines the required minimum and maximum height a slow-pitch delivery must reach — 6 to 10 feet under USA Softball rules, and up to 12 feet in senior and international (WBSC) play — to be called a legal pitch.
- At-Bat Routine (Slow-Pitch)BeginnerA short, repeatable routine before you hit helps in slow pitch, even in a rec league. Use the same few steps each time: time the pitcher's arc from on deck, set your spot in the box, take one breath and pick one plan. After a bad swing, step back, breathe and run the same steps again. Keep it quick, since the at-bat starts at one ball and one strike.
- Back-Side MechanicsAdvancedBack-side mechanics are how the trail hip, knee, and foot fire in the swing. This "engine" side drives rotational power from the ground up through the barrel.
- Backhand (Fielding)AdvancedA backhand fields a grounder on the throwing-hand side of the body (a right-hander's right), with the glove reaching across the body. The glove turns over so its pocket faces the ball, and the feet do not shuffle to square up.
- Backing Up a ThrowBeginnerBacking up a throw means a defender not directly in the play moves behind the receiving fielder. The goal is to stop an overthrow from becoming extra bases.
- Backspin ContactIntermediateBackspin contact is squaring the ball near its center-to-lower half on a slightly upward path. The spin helps it carry farther on a line-drive trajectory.
- Bad HopBeginnerA bad hop is a ground ball that bounces unpredictably off a seam, rock, or divot in the infield. It changes direction or height at the last instant.
- Ball Flight Off the BatBeginnerBall flight off the bat is the mix of exit speed, launch angle, and spin. Together they decide if a ball is a line drive, grounder, fly ball, or pop-up.
- Ball SpecificationsBeginnerStandard slow-pitch softball specifications call for a 12-inch circumference ball with a defined COR and compression rating. Men's and co-ed leagues commonly use a 12-inch ball; some senior and mixed leagues use an 11-inch ball.
- Barrel Path (Slow-Pitch)IntermediateBarrel path is the route the bat head takes from the load through contact and out the other side — and in slow-pitch it is the single biggest factor in matching the swing to a steeply falling ball.
- Base RunningIntermediateBase running in slow pitch means reading the ball off the bat and knowing when to push ahead or hold. Smart choices turn singles into extra-base chances.
- Bat CertificationBeginnerBat certification is official approval from a sanctioning body (ASA/USA Softball, USSSA, NSA, ISA, etc.) confirming a bat meets performance and safety standards for league play.
- Bat Drag (Slow-Pitch)IntermediateBat drag is when the hands and body rotate ahead of the barrel, leaving the bat head trailing through the swing. It forces late, weak, or off-line contact.
- Bat Grip (Slow-Pitch)BeginnerHold a slow-pitch bat in your fingers with the hands touching and the knuckles roughly lined up. Many slow-pitch hitters slide the bottom hand down so the little finger, or more, wraps over the knob. That adds leverage with a heavier or end-loaded bat. Choking up is less common in slow pitch except for placement hitting.
- Bat LengthBeginnerBat length is measured in inches from knob to end cap. Most adult slow-pitch bats run 34 inches; a longer bat adds reach and potential leverage but is harder to control.
- Bat Speed (Slow-Pitch)IntermediateBat speed is how fast the barrel is moving at contact. It comes mainly from hip-to-hand sequencing and rotational mechanics, not upper-body strength alone.
- Bat Speed Ejection RuleIntermediateThe bat speed ejection rule penalizes using a decertified, altered, or non-compliant bat. The batter is usually out; the player or team may be ejected.
- Bat Weight / DropBeginnerBat weight is measured in ounces. The "drop" is the difference between length (inches) and weight (ounces) — a 34-inch, 26-ounce bat is a drop -8. Most adult slow-pitch bats weigh 26–28 ounces.
- Batter's Box Rules (Slow-Pitch)BeginnerYou are out in slow pitch if you hit the ball while any part of a foot is touching home plate, or while an entire foot is on the ground completely outside the batter's box. The ball is dead. USSSA applies that rule to the side and back lines, and it limits how far forward your rear foot can start.
- Batting Average, Slugging and ISO in Slow PitchBeginnerThere is no single good slugging percentage for slow pitch, because it changes with your league's home run limit, fences and level. Slugging is total bases divided by at-bats. Batting average is hits divided by at-bats, and isolated power is slugging minus average. Compare yourself with hitters in your own league and division, not with baseball numbers.
- Batting GlovesBeginnerBatting gloves are thin gloves worn on one or both hands for hitting. They improve grip, reduce vibration, and protect against blisters during long sessions.
- Batting Helmets in Slow PitchBeginnerAdults usually do not have to wear batting helmets in slow pitch. USA Softball requires them for all youth players and in adult fast pitch, but not for adult slow pitch. Any player may still wear a helmet or face guard at any time, and USA Softball recommends helmets for runners. Your league can add its own helmet rule.
- Batting OrderIntermediateThe batting order is the set sequence in which players take their at-bats. In slow pitch, the order is constructed to put the best on-base threats at the top and the most powerful hitters where they can drive in runs.
- Batting Stance (Slow-Pitch)BeginnerA good slow-pitch stance is relaxed and balanced, with feet about shoulder-width apart and weight on the balls of the feet. Keep your hands near your back shoulder and stand where the barrel covers the outer edge of the plate. The slow arc gives you time. Keep the stance quiet and simple.
- Big Inning TheoryIntermediateBig inning theory says one 5+ run inning, not steady scoring, decides slow-pitch games. So strategy should favor keeping rallies alive over sacrifice plays.
- Bloop Hit CoverageIntermediateBloop hit coverage is who covers the shallow no-man's-land where soft hits land. An infielder, the short fielder, and an outfielder usually share it.
- BPF (Bat Performance Factor)AdvancedBPF (Bat Performance Factor) measures how much energy a bat's barrel returns to the ball compared with a perfectly rigid wall. A higher BPF means more trampoline effect and greater exit velocity from the same swing.
- Bunting and Chopping Rule (Slow-Pitch)BeginnerNo, you cannot bunt or chop the ball in slow pitch. Under USA Softball and USSSA rules, a batter who does either is out, and the ball is dead. A chop is a downward chopping swing meant to pound the ball into the ground, and the plate umpire decides whether a swing was one.
- Casting the BarrelIntermediateCasting the barrel is pushing the hands and bat head away from the body early in the swing. The long, looping path arrives late and loses rotational power.
- Charging a BloopIntermediateCharging a bloop is sprinting forward and low on a shallow, soft fly ball. You catch it at the shoetop or shoulder instead of waiting for it to drop.
- Check Swing (Slow-Pitch)BeginnerA check swing is when a hitter starts a swing but stops the bat short. Umpires judge whether the bat crossed the plate's plane or the wrists rolled over.
- Choosing a Bat for Women in Coed Slow PitchBeginnerWomen in coed should use a certified slow-pitch bat light enough to swing on time with a short, level path. Many women hit best with a balanced or lightly end-loaded model they can control. In USA Softball coed, women hit an 11-inch ball and men hit a 12-inch ball, but the same official-bat rules apply to every batter. Your league's stamp rule decides between a USA Softball and a USSSA bat.
- Choosing a Slow-Pitch BatBeginnerNo single bat is right for everyone. Start with the certification stamp your league requires, then pick the heaviest bat you can still swing fast and on time. A balanced bat is easier to control and suits newer players and line-drive hitters. An end-loaded bat suits strong hitters who can swing it without being late.
- Chopper and Other Softball SlangBeginnerA chopper is a ground ball that hits the dirt hard near the plate and bounces high, so a fielder has to wait for it. In slow pitch, a chopper off a normal swing is legal. A deliberate downward chop is not, because USA Softball calls the batter out for chopping the ball. Other slang: a bomb is a home run, a frozen rope is a hard line drive, and a walk-off ends the game.
- Chopping Down on the BallBeginnerChopping down on the ball is an exaggerated, near-vertical bat path. It hacks down instead of rotating, usually giving weak, high-bouncing grounders.
- Coed Rules (Modified Slow-Pitch)BeginnerCoed rules adapt slow-pitch softball for mixed-gender rosters. They often cover batting order, lineup balance, and who may field certain balls.
- Coed Walk RuleBeginnerIn coed slow pitch, a walk to a man is worth two bases. Under USA Softball rules he goes to second, and the next batter, a woman, must bat unless there are two outs. With two outs she may choose to walk or bat. Under USSSA rules he is awarded first and second, and the next woman always has that choice.
- Collapsing the Back SideIntermediateCollapsing the back side is when the back knee and hip drop and cave in instead of staying stacked. It drains power and lowers the swing plane unpredictably.
- Commitment Line Rule (Senior Softball)BeginnerThe commitment line is a mark 20 feet before the second home plate in senior slow pitch. Once a runner passes it, the runner cannot go back to third base. Under USA Softball senior rules, a runner who returns is out. The line works with the second home plate so runners and catchers stay apart at home.
- Composite Bat Break-In and RotationBeginnerMany composite bats perform best after a break-in of a few hundred hits with regular softballs. Start with easy tee swings, build to full swings and turn the bat a little after every hit to spread the wear. Some newer composites are sold game-ready. Follow the instructions that came with your bat.
- Composite vs Alloy BatsBeginnerAlloy bats are made of aluminum alloy, and composite bats of layered carbon fiber and resin. Alloy bats are usually ready to use new, handle cool weather better and tend to cost less. Composite bats often feel smoother on mishits but may need a break-in and can crack in the cold.
- Compression RatingIntermediateCompression rating measures how much force it takes to compress a softball one-quarter inch, in pounds. Higher compression means a harder ball that rebounds faster off the bat — and usually travels farther on well-struck contact.
- Contact PointBeginnerThe contact point is where the bat meets the ball relative to your body. In slow pitch it sits out in front of the plate, letting the barrel travel slightly upward to match the ball's descending arc rather than hitting under or over it.
- COR (Coefficient of Restitution)AdvancedCOR (Coefficient of Restitution) measures how much of a ball's impact energy returns as rebound energy. Higher COR means a livelier ball that flies farther.
- Courtesy RunnerBeginnerA courtesy runner is a substitute allowed to run the bases for a player who reaches base but is unable to run. That player stays in the game; common reasons include injury, age-based recreational-league eligibility, or a pitcher/catcher who needs rest between innings.
- Cutoff AlignmentIntermediateCutoff alignment is the geometry of the interception — where the infielder stands, how deep, and on what line — so that an outfield throw can be caught and redirected without losing time.
- Cutoff PlayIntermediateIn a cutoff play, an infielder between the outfielder and home takes the throw. They can redirect it, or add accuracy over a distance one arm cannot cover.
- Defensive PositioningIntermediateDefensive positioning is how fielders line up before the pitch. It depends on the hitter's tendencies, the game situation, the count, and the score.
- Defensive ShiftAdvancedA defensive shift is an unconventional repositioning of fielders toward one side of the field to take away a pull hitter's most likely batted-ball zone.
- Double First Base (Safety Base)BeginnerA double first base, or safety base, pairs a white half in fair territory with a colored bag, often orange, in foul territory. On a play at first, the batter-runner touches the orange side and the fielder takes the white one, so they stay apart. USA Softball uses it at first in all divisions; in USSSA it is optional.
- Double PlayIntermediateA double play retires two runners on the same batted ball. It most often comes on an infield ground ball with a runner on first.
- Double Play Turn (Slow-Pitch)AdvancedThe double play turn is the pivot at second base. In one motion, a middle infielder catches, touches the bag, and throws to first while avoiding the slide.
- Double-Wall BatAdvancedA double-wall bat has two concentric layers of barrel material that flex together at contact to produce greater trampoline effect — returning more energy to the ball and increasing exit velocity compared with a single-wall design.
- Down-and-In Swing Path (Slow-Pitch)AdvancedA down-and-in path comes in slightly above and outside the ball, then flattens at contact. Advanced hitters use it to cover the plate and hit to all fields.
- Dropped Third Strike in Slow PitchBeginnerNo, slow pitch has no dropped third strike. Under USA Softball rules, the batter is out on a third strike whether or not the catcher holds the ball. Only fast pitch and modified pitch let a batter run on an uncaught third strike. In slow pitch, a foul ball with two strikes is also an out.
- Early Commitment (Timing)IntermediateEarly commitment is locking into an irreversible swing before the pitch's location, height, and speed are confirmed. It is often a guess, not a read.
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