Oklahoma softball team pitcher almost knocks over Royals player with first pitch

[nevets88]

Let's celebrate women for being good at what they do relative to their peers. That women sports professionals can't compete with men does not diminish their accomplishments.

 

[iacas]

Good stuff.

[David in FL]

What, she's throwing from like 40 feet?

 The top pitchers in little league get the ball over the plate faster than a major leaguer too, due to the shorter distance.

 

[Hardspoon]

Funny.

"Delete that video - delete that video."

[billchao]

She threw a rise ball? He probably wasn't expecting the trajectory as much as anything else. Lots of life in her pitches. Looks like he adjusted pretty well.

Just looked her up and she tops out at about 67mph, so from 40' it reaches the plate in the same amount of time as a 101mph baseball from the mound. Some girls can hit 75mph which is a time that can't be matched in baseball. 

[jamo]

I remember when Jenny Finch was big there were a bunch of videos of her throwing to major leaguers. For some reason a matchup with Pujols sticks in my mind. Maybe they did it on Sports Science or something?

[Slowcelica]

On 6/28/2017 at 7:59 PM, David in FL said:

What, she's throwing from like 40 feet?

 The top pitchers in little league get the ball over the plate faster than a major leaguer too, due to the shorter distance.

 

Yes I think its 40 feet which is where softball is normally pitched from. Softball pitches are harder to hit than baseball pitches, the motion throws you off, the speed may be slower but they are much closer then baseball, giving you less time to decide what kind of pitch it is and if you are going to swing or not. Here is a good sports science video on it.

 

My daughter just took up softball this year, it took a toll on my golf plans this year but it was worth it. She started in march, her team got second in the league and she even made the 8u all star team her first year. When we started practicing in march she never had a glove or ball, and couldn't even catch the ball. We pretty much practiced everyday either throwing or going up to the field to work on hitting, or fielding. Now she is moving up and wants to pitch so we have started working on that.