Softball pitchers throw underhand due to its origins as an indoor game with limited space. This delivery style, including the windmill, was adopted for safety and to reduce arm strain. It now defines the sport's unique playing dynamics.

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TL;DR

Softball utilises underhand pitching due to its 1887 origins at the Farragut Boat Club as an indoor game designed for smaller gymnasiums. George Hancock created this modification to keep the ball's speed manageable in confined spaces, eventually evolving into the high-velocity windmill style used today. This underhand delivery is biomechanically safer than overhand throwing and enables specialized pitches like the rise ball, which uses backspin to defy gravity within a 43-foot pitching distance.

Why Did the Underhand Style Begin?

The underhand style began because softball was originally designed as an indoor sport where players used a boxing glove as a ball and a broom handle as a bat. Because these early games took place in gymnasiums, an overhand throw would have been too dangerous and difficult to control in a cramped environment.

When George Hancock codified the first rules in 1889, he maintained the underhand delivery to differentiate "Indoor-Outdoor" baseball from the traditional game. This style allowed the game to be played by people of various fitness levels, including the Minneapolis firemen who played Lewis Rober's "Kitten Ball" in 1900. By the time the name "softball" was adopted in 1926, the underhand motion was a core identity of the sport. See more on trackbarn.

What Are the Mechanical and Strategic Benefits?

Underhand pitching offers significant biomechanical advantages because the windmill motion follows a natural range of motion that puts less stress on the rotator cuff compared to overhand throwing. This efficiency allows elite pitchers to throw multiple games in a single day or consecutive days without the high risk of UCL injuries common in baseball. See more on proplayerteam.

From a strategic perspective, the underhand release creates a completely different flight path for the ball. Since the ball is released from a lower point, pitchers can utilise the Magnus effect to create a "rise ball." This pitch jumps upward as it nears the plate, forcing hitters to adjust their swing planes to a flatter or downward path.

How to Choose the Right Delivery for Your Game?

If you are joining a league, you must decide between different underhand styles based on your physical goals and the league's competitive level.

• Evaluate your shoulder mobility and comfort with a full 360-degree windmill rotation
• Consider the speed requirements of fastpitch versus the arc requirements of slowpitch
• Check league regulations regarding the "legal" height or "arc" of an underhand toss
• Identify if you prefer a game focused on defensive contact or high-strikeout pitching

References:

USA Softball History WBSC Softball History NCAA Softball Rules

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Nic Reese

Our Sport Expert

Nic Reese is a sports expert and lifelong enthusiast with a deep focus on bowling and competitive team sports. He brings practical insight, real-world experience, and a genuine passion for the game into every piece of content. Nick is driven by a love of sports culture, performance, and helping players and teams perform at their best.