Old Cardinal
03-20-2005, 12:55 PM
There is a vast difference in the body mechanics for women pitching fast softballs and those techniques learned by men fast pitching softballs in Industrial, League and Church softball. Some men are known to pitch at near 100 mph. I watched the King and his Court at their last performance in Panama City, FA three years ago WOW.
Here is the basic difference--Men throw using the muscles in the small of their back while women because they are built stronger in their hips and legs have to learn "Muscle Memory" techniques that can propel the torqueing softball at high speeds.
What is tragic is when unknowing male techniques are taught to young girls that are alien to the body structure of women; then all types of problems will occur. Examples:
1. Buildup of muscles along one side of the lower spine thus leading to curvature in the persons lower back.
2. A condition called "white knuckle".
3. Corporal Tunnel
4. Neuropathy (assorted problems)
5. Partial side-socket damage that leads to problems in later life.
The good news is that there are a host of "Pitching Coaches" across America that have taken the time to learn correct body mechanics techniques to help girls learn healthy pitching techniques. Many of these teachers are Engineers and people with ergonomic training that have taken the time to learn safe hurling techniques for the aspiring young pitchers. Body mechanic understanding is paramount.
The windmillers of today are just amazing--They fall into roughly 3 catagories.
1. Placement pitchers- Able to throw around seven or eight different pitches. They work from the same rotation yet are deceptive because of the muscle memory employed in the nano-second movement differences tweeked at the end of the pitch rotation. We have many pitchers today that are mid-60s on their fastball but throw just a handful each game, instead relying on finesse, savvy, and deceptiveness to keep the batters off-balance.
2. Power pitching--I few girls can employ enough strength to attempt to overwhelm the batters with mostly gross speed. Mellisa Collins(Splendora) and Holly Tankersley(Kirbyville) were prime examples of this mode in the recent past in 3A level softball.
3. The long stride pitch. The most difficult pitch to develop muscle memory is beginning to be displayed by girls with talent learned under exceptionally skilled and patient pitching coaches. They are placement pitchers(as covered above) with the ability to make the ball "dance" in many novel ways making it extremely difficult for the batter. Long Striders can throw the same assorted pitches as any of the placement pitchers--circle, arching changeup, assorted curves balls including last minute reverse curves to fool and baffle bunters etc: They can also deliver a blazing fastball when appropriate(usually just a few a game), mainly because of the long intentional stride torque. They have a unique ability to throw the "curving riser" and a difficult to master "last nano-second curving dropball". There are variations of the curving dropball that are being mastered by a few girls across the USA.
Softball pitching is now both and art and a skilled science.
You still see pitchers that throw a "rolling fastball" with little muscle memory mastered that can be somewhat successful.
By and large the girls that have started the dedication-to-purpose are getting all the pitching scholarships at present--especially the ones with natural skill and having been trained in the difficult-to-master long stride delivery.
Watch the better college level pitchers and you will begin to see what separates those that can throw strikes and those that consistantly pitch "low hit" ballgames.
This is so elementary a discussion maybe we can get into the real complexities of softball pitching later on. I think maybe that is why the phenomenon of girl softball is sweeping the world right now--people are starting to appreciate the dedication of what it takes to excel in this unique sport for girls and women.
Here is the basic difference--Men throw using the muscles in the small of their back while women because they are built stronger in their hips and legs have to learn "Muscle Memory" techniques that can propel the torqueing softball at high speeds.
What is tragic is when unknowing male techniques are taught to young girls that are alien to the body structure of women; then all types of problems will occur. Examples:
1. Buildup of muscles along one side of the lower spine thus leading to curvature in the persons lower back.
2. A condition called "white knuckle".
3. Corporal Tunnel
4. Neuropathy (assorted problems)
5. Partial side-socket damage that leads to problems in later life.
The good news is that there are a host of "Pitching Coaches" across America that have taken the time to learn correct body mechanics techniques to help girls learn healthy pitching techniques. Many of these teachers are Engineers and people with ergonomic training that have taken the time to learn safe hurling techniques for the aspiring young pitchers. Body mechanic understanding is paramount.
The windmillers of today are just amazing--They fall into roughly 3 catagories.
1. Placement pitchers- Able to throw around seven or eight different pitches. They work from the same rotation yet are deceptive because of the muscle memory employed in the nano-second movement differences tweeked at the end of the pitch rotation. We have many pitchers today that are mid-60s on their fastball but throw just a handful each game, instead relying on finesse, savvy, and deceptiveness to keep the batters off-balance.
2. Power pitching--I few girls can employ enough strength to attempt to overwhelm the batters with mostly gross speed. Mellisa Collins(Splendora) and Holly Tankersley(Kirbyville) were prime examples of this mode in the recent past in 3A level softball.
3. The long stride pitch. The most difficult pitch to develop muscle memory is beginning to be displayed by girls with talent learned under exceptionally skilled and patient pitching coaches. They are placement pitchers(as covered above) with the ability to make the ball "dance" in many novel ways making it extremely difficult for the batter. Long Striders can throw the same assorted pitches as any of the placement pitchers--circle, arching changeup, assorted curves balls including last minute reverse curves to fool and baffle bunters etc: They can also deliver a blazing fastball when appropriate(usually just a few a game), mainly because of the long intentional stride torque. They have a unique ability to throw the "curving riser" and a difficult to master "last nano-second curving dropball". There are variations of the curving dropball that are being mastered by a few girls across the USA.
Softball pitching is now both and art and a skilled science.
You still see pitchers that throw a "rolling fastball" with little muscle memory mastered that can be somewhat successful.
By and large the girls that have started the dedication-to-purpose are getting all the pitching scholarships at present--especially the ones with natural skill and having been trained in the difficult-to-master long stride delivery.
Watch the better college level pitchers and you will begin to see what separates those that can throw strikes and those that consistantly pitch "low hit" ballgames.
This is so elementary a discussion maybe we can get into the real complexities of softball pitching later on. I think maybe that is why the phenomenon of girl softball is sweeping the world right now--people are starting to appreciate the dedication of what it takes to excel in this unique sport for girls and women.