Fast Pitch Softball is a form of softball played by women, where pitches are thrown to the batter with a quick, underhand delivery. Fast Pitch Softball is the competitive and international form of softball.

Fast pitch softball is an extremely popular recreational and competitive women's sport. One of the game's best-known characteristics is the windmill motion pitchers use during delivery. Similar to baseball and slow pitch softball, the game emphasizes getting runners on base and scoring runs. The team with the most runs at the end of the game is the winner.

Score more runs than the opposing team.

Teams consisting of nine players alternate between hitting and fielding for seven innings, with players hitting in a constant order and playing a constant position in the field. Pitchers must throw the ball in a windmill motion to batters that are allowed three missed attempts before being called out. Once on base, runners may not slide or make contact with another player. Once three outs have been recorded, teams switch sides. Runs are scored when a player advances around all bases and touches home plate. The team with the most runs at the end of the game is the winner.

Fast pitch softball was invented in the late 19th century as an indoor alternative to baseball. The sport steadily increased in popularity due to ease of play and small size requirements for the playing area. The game eventually moved to being an outdoors sport, and by the 1930's, gained standardized rules. In the 1940's fast pitching began to dominate the game. In 1996 fast pitch softball debuted at the Summer Olympic Games. Today, fast pitch softball remains a popular recreational and competitive sport in many countries around the world.

Ball
Bases
Bat
Glove
Hat
Helmet

Fast pitch softball is a relatively safe sport due to a lack of contact and sliding. Injuries are usually limited to mild muscle pulls and strains.

The mechanics involved with pitching are complex and call for a large amount of repetition to master. As such, practice is the best form of training. Batting success hinges upon excellent timing and hand-eye coordination. These can be acquired through batting practice and hitting a ball of a tee.

Base - one of four stations that must be reached in order to score a run

Fair - within the field of play

Foul - outside the field of play

Hit - a ball hit such that the batter can advance safely to a base without aid

Home Plate - flat, five-sided, rubber base in which must be touched in order to score

Out - having had one's turn ended by the team on the field

Run - a point scored by touching home plate after touching all other bases

Windmill Motion - pitching delivery performed by extending the throwing hand around the body backwards and releasing the ball at hip level at maximum speeds

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Softball