Slowpitch -vs- Baseball

[Justme]

I worked a Men’s slow pitch softball tourney on Saturday. One of the teams that played was a team made up of college baseball players (from various colleges). Many I had umpired in the Adult Baseball League over the past few seasons. They had been teammates or played against each other in HS & in college. They were all going their separate ways, some to continue playing baseball others on to other careers.

Considering their baseball experience and ability (no softball experience between them) they had little doubt what the tournament outcome would be.

But….they got their butts kicked in the first two games of their pool play and finished 1-2, missing the play offs. After their last game we got together to share a drink (cola for me of course) and a couple of them commented to me that they felt that slow pitch softball was more difficult to play than baseball. They could handle the 90+mph pitches but those @#$!%^ slow, arching, 6’-12’ pitches were murder to hit. Admittedly they made some adjustments and won their last game but that couldn’t erase their surprise that they didn’t dominate the other teams. To their credit, they took defeat well, along with the friendly teasing from the other teams.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Been saying this for years. Give them a little time and practice, and they will probably become very good softball players, if their minds allow that to happen

[mcrowder]

Not surprised at all. The timing is completely different, and in fastpitch, where the bat is being swung closer to the same plane as the pitch, timing isn't as critical (slightly late or slightly early in fastpitch merely changes the direction of the hit ... slightly late or early in slowpitch is likely a complete miss).

Also - the difference in base distance is HUGE, both in the aspect of fielding and baserunning between baseball and softball. It's TRULY a different sport.

[BretMan]

With all of the slow pitch teams I've coached and played for the past 25 years, I've had the chance to see some high school and travel baseball players make the transition to softball. Most had hard a time of it at first, then gradually became used to the slow, arcing pitches.

Besides the timing differences, one big problem they had was generating power. An 80 mph baseball struck with a bat creates an explosive collision. The distance the ball ball travels is as much a result of the pitched ball's speed as the force provided by the batter.

Slow pitch requires the batter to provide the collision forces and accomplishing this takes a different mechanic than hitting a baseball.

I've also seen some baseball players struggle defensively with the larger ball. I think that one reason is some of them are still using their 11" infielders gloves from their baseball days. Get that man a softball glove!

I, too, have no doubt that with enough work we can turn those baseball players into fine softball players yet!

In the last decade, I had the unique experience of playing both adult baseball and slow pitch softball at the same time for several seasons. It was tough developing two distinct swings and there were points where both swings were thoroughly messed up!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BretMan

I've also seen some baseball players struggle defensively with the larger ball. I think that one reason is some of them are still using their 11" infielders gloves from their baseball days. Get that man a softball glove!

Don't necessarily buy the "glove" theory. The glove is just there to stop the ball.

I believe the biggest difference is in the mechanics. Softball players go down for a ground ball and throw from whatever position is necessary to get the ball where it needs to be. Many baseball-oriented infielders will reach down, bring the ball up and throw from an upright position.

Also, baseball players will often just place the gloved ball in front of the base on a tag play. Softball players have a tendency to reach or move toward the runner to make the tag before s/he even gets near the base. I often get the:

Umpire: OUT!
Runner: High tag, Blue
Umpire: Yep.
Runner: You can't call me out on a high tag!
Umpire: The tag was before you got to the base.
Runner: Yeah, but it was a high tag!
Umpire: Here's your sign!!!

Okay, so I added the last line for effect

[CecilOne]

"Runner: You can't call me out on a high tag!"

Is that on the myths list, or just the too-many-times list?