Why do girls play softball and pitch under-handed when guys play, they pitch over handed?

Question

This might be a stupid question but my mom and I have always wondered about it. I used to think it was because the ball was bigger and hard to control if you throw the softball over-handed, but it is just a guess.

Answer 1

Girls have big hips. With a wind up, a varsity high school pitcher can get the ball moving from 65-75 miles per hour. Boys can't get the ball going that fast underhand because the cannot rotate their hips all the way through.

Also, a man's center of gravity is near his shoulders, a woman's is near her waist. A man then has a lot more power in his arms to throw the ball with.

Answer 2

There are many female baseball and male softball leagues. It has been shown that women playing softball is more competitive than having them play baseball. The nature of baseball requires more speed and upper body strength than would be enjoyable for an average healthy woman to play. Another example of different sports men and women play due to competitiveness is field hockey and lacrosse.

Answer 3

I play in a slow pitch softball league, and nobody is allowed to pitch overhand (girls or guys). I've only ever seen overhand pitching in baseball (hardball). I don't think you're allowed to pitch overhand in softball, are you?

Answer 4

In softball, the ball is actually "pitched", where in baseball it's thrown

Answer 5

Every time I ever saw guys play softball, I saw them pitch underhand too.

Even fast-pitch softball is pitched underhanded.

Answer 6

I think it is to give a different impression as to baseball and softball being two different sports.

Answer 7

Girls are sissys.