How tall are softball players?

One thing softball rosters don't list is heart size. The heart size of a top level athlete at any level is larger than the US average as well. We all know there are many tall athletic players that don't make it. What is the old saying "it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"!

nicelag said:

One thing softball rosters don't list is heart size. The heart size of a top level athlete at any level is larger than the US average as well. We all know there are many tall athletic players that don't make it. What is the old saying "it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"!

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Absolutely true.
However, if the college immediately eliminates the player based on height alone, they never get a chance to meet the player and see their heart.

GunnerShotgun said:

I will concede that the pitchers release point is closer to the batter but would argue this delta is not significant.

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I think the biggest advantage a tall pitcher has, is the more severe trajectory of her drop ball.

corlay said:

I think the biggest advantage a tall pitcher has, is the more severe trajectory of her drop ball.

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In my experience the biggest advantage is the speed is deceptive because the longer arms appear to be moving slower. I think the longer arms give make up much of the difference in height creating relatively similar release points. It would be interesting to measure though.

The biggest advantage I see at the younger age groups is simple intimidation. If the pitcher looks like a giant to a little kid, they are a little hesitant to step in the box. At 14U, they don't have that same fear, but there is still a little awe for some.

Elk Grove Hurricane said:

The biggest advantage I see at the younger age groups is simple intimidation. If the pitcher looks like a giant to a little kid, they are a little hesitant to step in the box. At 14U, they don't have that same fear, but there is still a little awe for some.

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Especially if the pitcher is big AND wild! Then they have to worry not only about striking out, but getting nailed by a 50 mph fast ball. I imagine it must be pretty scary to face that possibility.

DD's size has never been an issue. Can she play for Florida, probably not. Their lose.

The big kids are a easy sell and would have to guess that some coaches have probably missed because they picked up a kid because of there size. My dd went through this shes 5'3 on a good day smallest by far but best hitter for power and average strongest arm at 69mph and she was one of the last to verbal on her team We heard all the time love her but want to see her more vs some bigger kids that could go into a camp hit a ball off a tee and get a offer. So to answer The question i do think smaller kids have to work harder.

But at the same time i think it made her a better player.

I was talking to the mom of one of our tiny girls last week. We have 2 - one is our short stop and the other plays 2B and CF. They're both fast and athletic. Both good hitters too. One of the moms said they went to a tryout (both girls were there, coincidentally, though they didn't know each other yet - this was at the very start of fall) for one of the big name teams here. She said the coach completely ignored them, never even bothered to introduce himself or say a word to them and pretty much ignored their kids. I think it was mostly their size. I feel pretty confident saying his loss was our gain.

I'm telling y'all in softball size does matter.

I know we all want to think the opposite because it makes us feel good and think the world is just, but it doesn't work that way.
Height discrimination is alive and rampant in the fast pitch world.

Carry on...