As viral softball pitchers such as Karlyn Pickens and Jordyn Bahl take the world by storm, a debate has sparked. Everyone knows that baseball’s level of difficulty is incredible, but what about softball? Every sport is challenging, as there is always more to it than it appears at first glance. The question remains, though, whether softball is harder than baseball.
Breaking Down the Softball vs Baseball Debate
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Why Softball Was Invented
Softball was initially invented as a sport that could be played indoors. It was supposed to be a safer alternative to baseball, with the balls being larger, softer, and everything being downsized. The field, bases, and pretty much everything that involves distance is shorter than in baseball, allowing for the sport to be both easier and more complex than baseball.
The distance between home plate and the pitcher’s mound is 43 feet, compared to 60 feet and 6 inches in baseball. This is generally considered harder on the hitter, as they have less time to react in softball. At the same time, all the shorter distances make home runs more common, and base hits are as well (consider infield singles).
Hitting Comparison: Which Sport is Harder to Hit In?
Softball: In softball, the number of pitches is less than in baseball. However, the angles of pitches, especially from underhand, are hard to hit. Carly Pickens, who threw a 78 MPH fastball at one point this season, shows the difficulty of hitting. In baseball, thanks to the shorter distance of softball, 78 MPH is equivalent to a 110 MPH fastball. However, not every pitcher is Pickens; therefore, the average velocity of a softball in the context of baseball distance is actually 90. Bats and balls are also bigger, making contact easier. Reaction time, however, is still an incredible challenge.
Baseball: In baseball, the number of pitches is sometimes insane. The angles can be much easier, but the late drop can be more confusing. Since the pitcher is 60 feet away, they are able to induce very late movement, not seen in softball. For the first 40 feet or so, the pitch may look like a strike but suddenly drops out of the zone for the final 10 feet. All in a matter of 0.01 seconds. In baseball, strike zones are smaller, thus easier to control, but balls are smaller and so are bats, making contact harder in baseball than in softball.
The Winner? Probably baseball since the size of the softball (12 inches vs 9 inches) is bigger and so are the bats. Contact is easier. However, at the same time, in no way shape or form is baseball dramatically easier to hit in than in softball, again, a hitter is hitting in an entirely different way.
Pitching Comparison: Which One is Harder to Pitch In?
Softball: By no means is it easy to pitch in softball. The ball is bigger and harder to control, also inducing movement isn’t easy. Throwing 65 MPH underhand is an achievement that has to be recognized, let alone nearly 80 MPH. However, injury is much, much less common in softball, and despite the look of softball, it is a more natural pitching movement for the arm.
Baseball: Throwing overhand is easier in terms of accuracy and speed. However, whenever a pitcher throws a ball, the pitcher begins to wear away at his ligaments, especially the UCL. When a pitcher throws back his arm right before release, it is an unnatural movement of the ligaments. As a result, pitching in baseball will, over time, force a Tommy John surgery, where a pitcher must work for over a year to rebuild the UCL.
As a result, the injury risk alone makes it harder for baseball since it requires endurance and strength. Speaking about regular pitching, it is also very hard to induce movement and spin adding an extra challenge.
Why Softball Is Still Very Challenging
Softball is like baseball, but everything is trimmed down a bit. As a result, the game is more fast-paced, making reaction time a special ability. Sure, a reaction time in baseball is unbelievable. Scientists are baffled by a human’s ability to hit a ball within a matter of 0.4 seconds or faster. In softball, catching a line drive or throwing out a runner is a problem. Since everything is shorter, reaction time is a special ability.
Of course, a women’s softball player isn’t going to be as fast as Ronald Acuna Jr. However, throwing out a slow person would be hard since the distance between first base and home plate is just 60 feet compared to 90 in baseball.
Baseball Is Harder Overall, But Not By Much At All
The reality is that the pitching difficulty itself tipped the balance in favor of baseball. Pitchers in baseball might as well be called magicians for being able to do what they do. However, even with that being said, softball presents its own challenges, with reaction time being a major challenge in softball. Perhaps the sports cannot really be compared that much. However, the one thing that is for sure is that it is incredible to be able to play either sport.
Main Image: MIKE FENDER / THE NEWS HERALD / USA TODAY NETWORK
