re: Men's Softball: Cutting the Middle

The thing is most people as courtesy try not to hit it at the pitcher anyway. If you can control where you hit the ball why would you hit it at someone standing 45 feet from you? Id be willing to be more slow pitch softball pitchers have died due to a ball back up the middle than baseball pitchers.

The bats are way too hot for me to get on the mound and pitch underhand.

People saying "just back up after you pitch" have actually never pitch I would guess. It's simply not that easy

It affects a lot of pitchers ability to throw strikes. And I've seen many times a pitcher get plunked while moving backward. You are more vulnerable moving backwards that standing still 5 feet closer.

Can't use a Metal Fence like little league?

I got smacked the other day when I was pitching didn't really think anything of it. But yeah it's not the easiest thing to move out of the way when it's a screaming line drive

I am the pitcher for my squadron intramural softball team, and don't understand the "I can't get out of the way" comments. You are pitching underhand, and have a good 3-4 seconds to back up after your release without it affecting your pitching motion. We used to play ASA so the bats were only 0.98 BPA which wasn't too bad. This year, we made the switch to USSSA and the BPA is now 1.20. The scare factor is there, but if you aren't 400 pounds, and actually know what you are doing, you can get back with PLENTY of time to field the ball.

It's frowned upon for someone to hit it up the middle, but it's PART OF THE GAME. Some batters may apologize, some may not. You don't see MLB players who can place it, apologizing for hitting it up the middle.

If you don't want someone hitting up the middle on you, pitch it to where they can't. Simply put, don't throw outside. 8 times out of 10, a ball pitched outside will come to you or in your area. There are so many ways someone can prevent the batter from hitting it to them.

Man up!

quote:

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Why not just use his glove? I seriously don't get this "lanes" you're out deal. Why not just let everyone hit off a tee? Maybe the guy that chooses to pitch needs to man up a lil

ETA; Not trying to sound like a dick ,but it is a sport and it's supposed to have a little bit of challenge involved

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You ever pitched in slow pitch softball in a league remotely competitive? Guessing not lol.

my team typically will not hit up the middle unless provoked by the other team doing it. i.e. if one of their players cranks one at our pitcher without an apology then it's game on.

men's recreational league fwiw

I used to pitch for Class C men's team years ago, traveled all over the south. I knew where to not pitch it and also how to take a few steps back and field my position! Also mastered "hitting the middle" so other teams knew I would just take matters into my own hands if needed! It's a stupid testosterone debate,but I had to deal with. Definitely caused drama over the years!