In softball, the Underhand Delivery is the signature pitching motion that defines the sport. Unlike baseball, where pitchers throw “overhand” or “sidearm,” softball rules require that you release the ball at a point lower than the hip.
Think of it as a pendulum or a windmill motion rather than a catapult.
The Two Main Styles
There are two primary ways a pitcher delivers the ball underhand, depending on the type of softball they are playing:
- The Windmill (Fastpitch): The pitcher rotates their arm in a full 360-degree circle (like a windmill) to build massive momentum. This allows the ball to reach speeds over 70 mph, which feels like 100 mph to the batter because the distance to the plate is much shorter than in baseball.
- The Slingshot: You pull back the arm and then “slung” forward without the full 360-degree circle. This is less common in high-level competitive play but is still a legal underhand delivery.
The Legal Requirements
For a delivery to be “legal” underhand, it must follow strict mechanics:
- The Release: The hand must pass the hip before the ball.
- The Wrist: The pitcher usually “snaps” their wrist at the bottom of the arc to generate spin (which makes the ball rise, drop, or curve).
- The Follow-Through: The hand must continue forward and upward after the ball is released.
Why is it Underhand?
The origin of the underhand delivery is part of the history of the game. Originally, softball was designed to be played indoors, and the underhand toss kept the ball’s speed manageable for smaller spaces.
As the sport moved outdoors and evolved into “Fastpitch,” the underhand motion stayed, but athletes perfected the Windmill to make it just as fast and dominant as overhand pitching.
| Feature | Underhand (Softball) | Overhand (Baseball) |
| Motion | Circular/Pendulum | Lever/Catapult |
| Release Point | Below the hip | Above the shoulder |
| Stress Type | Natural “underhand” swing | High stress on elbow/rotator cuff |
| Unique Pitch | The Riseball (jumps upward) | The 12-6 Curve (drops downward) |
Pro Tip: Because the underhand motion is a more “natural” movement for the human shoulder, softball pitchers can often throw multiple games in a single day, whereas baseball pitchers require several days of rest after one game.