Physical fitness is more important than ever these days.   It seems that nearly every evening the news runs a story about the frightening increase in obesity among Americans. Daily physical fitness it not something that must be restricted to the same old treadmill and dumbbells at the local gym.  For those who prefer to play for fitness, there is the option of joining an intramural sports team. Communities offer opportunities to join teams to promote fun, socialization, and physical fitness. One of the most popular intramural sports is slow pitch softball. For those new to slow pitch, it’s natural to have questions or concerns about slow pitch softball pitching techniques.  Not to worry! It’s not hard to understand the basics.

Slowpitch softball techniques are different from classic baseball techniques. The ball moves across the plate at a slower speed, so it’s important to learn techniques to exploit this difference. If you come from a baseball background, it will take some adjustment to learn how to pitch underhand; rest assured, with practice it can be done!

The foundational straight pitch is the bedrock of slow pitch; this is where one puts his or her index finger over the left seam, with their middle finger next to it.  Placing the thumb along the bottom of the softball, between the seams, is the proper positioning for the thumb.  By moving the index and middle fingers further away from each other, one can cause the softball to veer to the right.

The slider pitch is another option, where the softball curves when it reaches the end of the throw. The finger positioning is the same as in the straight pitch, but the thumb moves closer to where the index finger lays. By gripping tightly with the ring finger and pinky finger, you’re able to keep the softball steady and sure. Avoid twisting the wrist, and you have a slider pitch!

These are just a few of the pitching techniques to learn when familiarizing oneself with the world of slow pitch softball. There are many reasons to join a local intramural softball team, not the least of which is improving physical fitness with some outdoor play. Not only are they many physical benefits, but it’s a great opportunity to meet new friends.  It’s natural to want to perfect slow pitch softball pitching techniques, as well as learn how to pitch underhand, so take some time to get an education.   When the game is over, the effort will have been well worth it.