softball Softball is a Variations of baseball, variation of baseball, the difference being that it is played with a larger ball, on a smaller field, and with only underhand pitches (where the ball is released while the hand is primarily below the ball) ...

, a pitch is the act of throwing a ball underhand by using a windmill motion. The pitcher will throw the ball towards

home plate A baseball field, also called a ball field or baseball diamond, is the field upon which the game of baseball is played. The term can also be used as a metonym for a baseball park. The term sandlot is sometimes used, although this usually refers ...

to a catcher to start the play. The pitcher will attempt to

strike out In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It means the batter is out, unless the third strike is not caught by the catcher and the batter reaches first base safel ...

the batter or prevent the batters from getting on the bases. The windmill motion is divided into 5 parts: back swing, arm rotation, final down swing, release, and follow through. While executing the windmill with the throwing arm the lower half of the pitcher's body is working in tandem to drive towards home plate. "Weight transfer from the push off leg to the stride leg is critical to power and speed. A righthanded pitcher pushes off with her right leg and transfers her weight to her left leg." The underhand pitch was the original baseball pitch. Originally created as a sport for baseball players to maintain dexterity in the off season, softball gained so much popularity, it became its own sport. In 1991, women's softball was added to the roster of the

1996 Summer Olympics The 1996 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, also known as Atlanta 1996 and commonly referred to as the Centennial Olympic Games) were an international multi-sport event held from July 19 to August 4, 1996, in Atlanta, ...

References

{{Baseball Softball