Why Is A Softball A Baseball And A Baseball A Softball


Why Is A Softball A Hardball And A Baseball A Softball??? by *Dr. Mark McDowell*

The unfortunate death of a player in modified softball in 2001 and the large number of injuries due to batted balls I have personally witnessed these past few years were my motivation for writing this short article.

Rather than repeat the data that we have gathered on this subject, I would recommend that you read the following articles for background before proceeding:

* "Softball" - A Contradiction In Terms
* How Ball Circumference And Compression Affect Pitcher Response Time!!!
* How Temperature Affects Ball Compression

After recently doing ball compression testing on baseballs, I noticed that while the average compression for baseballs has gone down about 15% in the past few years, the average compression value for softballs has not changed much. Based on our initial study in 1997 on Softball vs Baseball testing, the average polyurethane softball was 1.4 times harder than a baseball. Based on our testing for 2001 balls, the average polyurethane softball is 1.6 times harder than a baseball. This is a disturbing trend that absolutely needs to be controlled based on recent reported injuries and at

least two fatalities. This information leads to the obvious question of, Why on Earth would we need a softball, which is supposed to be soft by its very definition, harder than a baseball? Below is a chart and table comparing the average baseball to our 2000 and 2001 ball reviews using high-, mid- and low-compression balls.

**Ball Compression Table**
*Average Baseball*	*High Compression Softball*	*Increase or Decrease*
264 pqi	Yr 2000 (546 pqi)	+282 pqi or 2.07x
	Yr 2001 (549 pqi)	+285 pqi or 2.08x

	Mid Compression Softball
264 pqi	Yr 2000 (416 pqi)	+152 pqi or 1.58x
	Yr 2001 (429 pqi)	+165 pqi or 1.63x

	Low Compression Softball
264 pqi	Yr 2000 (274 pqi)	+10 pqi or 0.04x
	Yr 2001 (278 pqi)	+14 pqi or 0.05x

pqi =( lbs./0.25”)

Taking a look at our previous articles and the data listed above, one has to wonder if the sport of softball should be called hardball and baseball called softball. Yes, the ball is thrown very fast in baseball and this fact does generate high batted ball speeds, but can you imagine if a softball were thrown at 85MPH and a person hit it? You would need high speed cameras just to see the ball. As mentioned previously, two unfortunate deaths so far in recreational softball was my motivation for writing this short article. I can almost guarantee you that the pitcher never saw that ball coming. The combination of a high compression ball, an end-loaded bat and an increase pitch velocity are quite dangerous. Is there a possibility that this can happen in slow-pitch softball? The answer is obviously YES!!!, as clearly shown in the Article “How Ball Circumference And Compression Affect Pitcher Response Time!!!”. I have witnessed some terrible accidents/injuries as the result of batted balls. When will the associations WAKE UP and realize that we need more ball regulations in the game today, not bat regulations. There are too many ways to get around bat testing, but there is no way to get around ball compression or circumference. The ball is the only consistent factor in the game today, not the bats. Control the ball and control the game.

If you want softball scores to start looking like baseball scores, how about using a softball that is as soft as a baseball?

For the 2002 season, the compression values are now required to be posted on balls for at least one association. This is a good step in the right direction but the Compression values are still too high for all levels of play. The COR of the ball is still irrelevant today and is not an indication as to the liveliness of the ball. The compression and circumference are the two most important things to look at when considering a ball purchase for league or tournament play.

An interesting fact to note is that the average softball player is getting older, not younger, which leads one to believe that pitcher response time is one of the biggest issues that has not been dealt with yet to control the safety of the game. This issue needs to be addressed so that all pitchers feel safe when they go out on the mound.

What are my recommendations in order to control the safety of the game as it relates to slow-pitch softball?

1) I recommend that the compression value of a softball not exceed 425 +/-25pqi. This should be mandated for all levels of play. This will give players a good opportunity to enjoy the game and keep it safe. Most pitchers can react to a batted ball in the 425pqi range. If you are concerned about too many home runs, then use a lower compression ball. The 425 +/-25pqi value is recommended over using just low compression balls (375pqi maximum or the BPF recommended value) in order to compensate for decreased compression values in warmer areas of the country.

2) Take away the rules the outlaw/ban multi-wall bats because too many bat companies are getting around the issue by making multi-wall bats and calling them single-wall bats.

3) No hitting the middle rules need to be instituted in league play. I am very much in favor of putting a screen/net in front of the pitcher’s mound the same width of the mound and if you hit the net, it’s a dead ball and the batter is automatically OUT!!! The pitcher is the most vulnerable person on the field and has to be protected.

4) If the home runs are up and a player hits a home run, the inning is over. This will make games go very fast and allow for correct classification of teams on all levels. There are too many sandbagging teams throughout the country.