Pitch Speed
Pitch speed in slow-pitch softball is how fast the ball travels from the pitcher to the plate, typically 25–35 mph. Many leagues impose a maximum speed limit to maintain the recreational character of the game.
Because slow pitch is designed for recreational participation, maximum speed limits (often 35 mph at the plate or off the pitcher's hand) prevent experienced pitchers from dominating casual leagues. Within the legal speed window, pitchers still vary pace to disrupt timing — a 25 mph pitch after a 33 mph pitch changes the descent angle and arrival time. Hitters who think only about the arc and not the speed arrive late or lunge forward on a slower offering.
Example
A pitcher throws at 28 mph, then drops one to 22 mph with the same arm motion; the batter lunges out front and pops it up.
Related terms
- Arc Height RegulationArc height regulation defines the required minimum and maximum height a slow-pitch delivery must reach — typically 6 to 12 feet — to be called a legal pitch.
- Stride TimingStride timing is when you take your forward step relative to the descending pitch. Against a high arc, the stride lands early and the hands stay back, separating the lower and upper body.
- Pitch TrackingPitch tracking is following the high-arcing slow-pitch ball all the way from its peak down to the contact point. Because the ball descends steeply, the eyes lead the swing.
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