Why do women play with a larger baseball (softball) than men (hardball)? It hurts to get hit with either ball.

Question

If women typically have smaller hands, why don't we have the smaller baseball?

Seriously, why do we have to change the game for women? Why can't women play with the same size ball, same size field, and same types of pitch?

By the way, the "big balls" joke was funny.

Answer 1

Because it was a man who made the decision. :) Men thought (some still do) that women aren't as athletic as men, therefore given the bigger ball to make it 'easier' on us. The baseball size has nothing to do with the underhand pitch, though (sorry to burst your bubble). It is easier to throw a softball underhand, but a baseball underhand would be just as easy. It's the mechanics that have to be perfect. Women played ball and threw overhand before the rules were changed to throw it windmill style. Softball pitchers throw about 70 MPH, which is the equivalent of a 110 MPH fastball for baseball. The softball players I have seen can probably play with the baseball sized field, but who made the rules for fastpitch softball?

Answer 2

Hardball For Women

Answer 3

I think it has a lot to do with the desire to keep the field of play smaller. That way more fields can be built in a smaller area and accommodate more games and players. A smaller field requires a ball that doesn't travel as far and a softball does not travel as far, generally, as a baseball does.

Answer 4

It hurts a lot more with the hardball used in baseball. Trust me. The larger ball is thrown more slowly and is easier to hit.

Answer 5

softballs come off the bat a lot slower. If baseball diamonds were as small as softball diamonds (softball has 60 foot base paths, baseball has 90 foot base paths), there would be at least one or two major league 3rd basemen or coaches killed each year by a good line drive off a right-hander's bat.

Answer 6

easier to hit when its coming at you fast. same reason why they use a smaller ball in slow pitch softball, they can hit it further.

Answer 7

i think the creaters of softball just didn't want it to be exactly like the mens game, so they just though "hey, why not make the ball bigger and 1% softer, then we can call it 'softball' instead of 'womens baseball'. "

Answer 8

cause womens hand eye coordinations are good for hittin a smaller ball.. also it would b hard to throw a baseball underhand liek you do in softball..

bigger baseball means you hit better.

Answer 9

i think it is dumb to!!! baseball are so much easier to hit cause they go so far yet men make it seem like it is soooooo hard to play with a base ball..please..i could through one of them like 70s and i am only 16!

Answer 10

I think the concept that it is easier to hit.