Leopard baseball and softball are in full swing now as both teams are about halfway through district play.
While baseball and softball are very similar in many ways, there are some very distinct differences in the two games–pitching being one of those.
Softball players have an underhand motion that is natural for the body allowing them to be able to pitch not only more often but every day. Unlike baseball pitchers, softball pitchers are able to pitch several times in multiple games in one day.
“The most games I’ve pitched is 6 games in one day,” sophomore Danielle Brochu said. “It was for my club team but I definitely pitch a lot.”
Softball pitchers will often times practice pitching every day while baseball players will not throw every day. The Leopard varsity softball team currently has two pitchers on their roster which is minimal compared to the the baseball team’s seven.
The physical effects that the baseball pitching motion has on players can be very harmful. Senior pitcher Logan Michaels knows first hand the injuries that pitching can cause.
“I have tendonitis in my elbow and it’s something that I’m going to have to deal with forever,” Michaels said. “Basically it happened because I wasn’t religiously icing my arm after I would pitch in the summer. My velocity has gone down and I’m not able to throw as much.”
The distinct difference between the motions are what makes the effects of pitching so drastic.
“Softball does a windmill motion. Baseball is an over the shoulder motion,” trainer Susan Smiley said. “Both can be hard on the elbow and shoulder, but the baseball pitching is harder on the shoulder and elbow. Softball pitchers can have over use injuries, but is not as common.”
While injuries in baseball are more common, overall Leopard athletes have been generally lucky and healthy.
“The baseball pitchers at Lovejoy that do a good job with mechanics and arm stretching and strengthening are usually healthy. We encourage icing after every pitching session,” Smiley said. “The most common injuries would be tendonitis in the elbow or shoulder.”
The differences between the motions is very distinct for two games that are otherwise so similar.
