Smoother ball has more movement?

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
I've been doing self toss for quite a while experimenting with swing mechanics. I have about a doz or so various sized balls that I like to hit around my yard. My dogs like to chase after them and chew the laces off and thus many have the covers torn or completely removed from the ball.

I've noticed that the smooth balls really move around after the hit. I can really see if it's sliced or hooked spin off the bat due to the movement in the air.

Related to pitching, would the smoother balls move more for a spinner pitcher? I know most if not all of the pitchers love the raised seam balls for grip but would the smoother balls move more? Does anyone else have any experience? I'm going to try it myself but I by no means have the ability to spin the ball like some of you and your DD's can. I'm going to try it with my DD but she doesn't have great speed and doesn't like the smooth seam ball either. :/
 
Last edited:
Jul 3, 2013
438
43
Lower seam softballs tend to be the slow pitch variety, with higher compression (.52) and lower cor (275 or 300). They bounce higher and tend to knuckle more.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
 
Jul 3, 2013
438
43
However, their movement in flight is less if spinning.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
In case you are interested in learing the physics behind a smooth vs. rough ball, and how seams effect the movement.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,481
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top