I. My heart’s pumping, my eyes are narrowed, and my veins are filled with adrenaline; I’m on a battle field.
II. The sport of softball was invented in 1887, but since then, women’s fastpitch softball has gained much support.
III. I have been pitching for 9 years and have 9 different pitches.
IV. Today, I would like to demonstrate the proper stride, release, and follow through for a fast ball softball pitch.
(Transition: I would like to begin by giving you a history of the sport.)
Body
I. Softball has an interesting origin.
A. According to St. Bonaventure University, the sport was invented in, 1887, by George Handcock after a Harvard-Yale football game.
1. Twenty men were in a gym listening to the game, and when Yale won, a man threw a boxing
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George Handcock tied the glove into a ball, used a broom handle for a bat, and used chalk to draw the diamond small enough to fit in the gym.
B. SCAA reports that the first women’s softball team was not formed until 1895 at Chicago’s West Division High School.
1. Women’s fastpitch was added to the 1996 Olympic Summer games, but was later removed in 2012.
2. Today, people around the world enjoy softball.
II. The first step in pitching is the stride, but there are some ground rules for pitching, too.
A. In this demonstration, we will cover rules for girls age 13 and up.
1. According to the USSSA, girls are required to pitch from a distance of 43 feet with a 12 inch softball.
2. It is mandatory that girls start with both feet on the pitcher’s plate, and one foot must rain on the ground throughout the entire pitch.
B. Now, to cover the grip on the ball, stance on the pitcher’s plate, and the stride.
1. Rita Lynn Gilman reports that first, you want to take a look at the seams of the ball, and place your fingers on the “C” and start with both feet on the plate.
2. Simultaneously, step forward with your left foot, turn your body to your right, and rotate your arm clockwise.
3. For the sake of explaining, I am going to stop at 3