There seems to be some differences of opinion about how useful the fastball is, particularly at higher levels of play. It also seems that people have different opinions about exactly how you define a fastball. For instance I have always believed that a fastball has 6-12 topspin, but Cat Osterman considers this pitch to be a drop and a fastball to have bulletspin. Then there are those who say their daughters fastball breaks, but if a pitch breaks away from the hitter isn't that a curveball, or if it breaks in to the hitter isn't that a screwball, regardless of whether you trying to spin it or not.
What is a Fastball?
- Thread starter ArmWhip
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I think a fastball is a pitch that is thrown with no other intent but to be thrown hard and located. Everyone might throw that pitch differently. Not right or wrong. Just different. Look at Mariano Rivera. His cut fastball IS his fastball. He even tried to correct the movement early in his career , but finally just went with it. Change speeds and location with it but basically same pitch.
Now he's a first ballot Hall of Famer that only throws one pitch. Everyone knows he's going to throw it but no one can hit it. Even switch hitters bat right handed against him.
Now he's a first ballot Hall of Famer that only throws one pitch. Everyone knows he's going to throw it but no one can hit it. Even switch hitters bat right handed against him.
In my opinion, most screwballs and curves that pitchers and Daddies think they are throwing are simply fastballs. Getting a substantial amount of movement on a pitch is very difficult, and most pitches don't do it.
When watching a college game, turn down the volume and actually watch the amount of movement on the pitches. You will see little, if any, movement on the majority of pitches. They are throwing fastballs, although the announcers proclaim that every pitch is a curve, screw, rise or drop.
We attended the CWS last year, and mostly the pitchers threw fastballs, drops and rises.
When watching a college game, turn down the volume and actually watch the amount of movement on the pitches. You will see little, if any, movement on the majority of pitches. They are throwing fastballs, although the announcers proclaim that every pitch is a curve, screw, rise or drop.
We attended the CWS last year, and mostly the pitchers threw fastballs, drops and rises.
The pitch a pitcher throws at maximum speed is their fastball. What I mean is, that all focus is placed on speed rather than spin. A good fastball may have some movement, but not as much as a breaking pitch. Breaking balls have all the focus on maximum spin to induce the breaking action, normally resulting in a decrease in speed. The decrease inspeed is a result of part of the arm speed being used across the ball to induce more spin. More spin less speed results in more movement. At least thats what I was told by baseball pitchers, I assume it's the same for softball.
The fastball is effective when located. Throw it down the middle
and it gets tattooed. Hit the corners and it is a good pitch
and it gets tattooed. Hit the corners and it is a good pitch
This is a clear, concise, and understandable definition. Therefore, it is entirely unacceptable in the world of softball. Get with the program, or I'll have to ban you.
Last edited:
This is a clear, concise, and understandable definition. Therefore, it is entirely unacceptable in the world of softball. Get with the program, or I'll have to ban you.
Oops! Sorry, my bad... I'm still learning...
lol
Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
The OP asked for a definition of a FB and questioned its utility and I think the responses provided have been appropriate. Simple is good. Simply start a new thread if you want to get into techniques and mechanics.
For softball, my definition of the "fastball" is the pitcher's fastest pitch that has true 12/6 spin and downward movement only. All other fastballs (e.g. bullet spin fastball) are just variations of the above.
