“Take me out to the game” has been the cry of summer for decades. On the field eight girls crouched waiting. However, the eyes of all spectators are on the only girl standing, the pitcher. Even if they know his importance, they probably don't know the dedication he must demonstrate to be successful in his position. Most people don't realize the difficult position of the pitcher and all the time it takes to learn different pitches. Where the pitcher throws the ball into the batter's box can determine which area of the field the ball is likely to be hit by the batter. The pitcher's throw must be controlled to hit the spot signaled by his catchers. The points are numbered one to six in a box shape. The number one spot is on the left and is as high as the batter's shoulder. Point number two is also at shoulder height, but on the right side. Point number three is about the same height as the batsman's stomach and is on the left side, point number four is the same but on the right side. The last two points are at the batsman's knees and their numbers are five and six. Point number five is on the left side, while point number six is on the right side. Since the receiver cannot support six fingers, he usually raises his thumb. The first pitch a pitcher needs to know how to throw is a regular fastball. To throw a normal pitch, the pitcher must first keep his index and middle fingers on the seam of the softball while holding it. Then she must keep her weight on her right foot (left if she is left-handed) and then shift her weight to the opposite foot. As she extends forward and down, she places her foot in the center of an imaginary line between her and the receiver. As he extends forward and down, his arm goes around…half of the paper…he bites himself, causing him to fall. Learning new heights takes a lot of practice and time. However, when the pitcher is able to throw the pitch perfectly, it is a fantastic feeling of accomplishment. The pitcher must have passion for softball, otherwise the game is no longer fun and is just a chore, like homework. The pitcher is an important member of the team because he is the one who throws the ball that the batters are trying to hit. If the pitcher can strike out every batter, the chances of his team winning are extremely high. Pitchers also have a dangerous job because unlike baseball pitchers, who can't pitch every game, a softball pitcher must pitch all season. Continuous throwing can be hard on his shoulders and different types of throwing can put a strain on his body. Learning new pitches to become a versatile pitcher is time well spent.
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