Mechanical Analysis of Windmill Fast Pitch in Women's Softball

Abstract The purpose of this study was to analyze the mechanical variables of a windmill fast pitch in women's softball. The subject chosen for this study has shown outstanding ability as a pitcher in women's fast pitch softball. A strike zone was constructed at the plate area of a regulation softball diamond, and a 16-mm. Beaulieu camera (65 f/sec, f7) and a 16-mm. Cine-Kodak K100 camera (64 f/sec, f10) were used to photograph the pitcher and the pitches. The analysis of variables was divided into two categories, descriptive and dynamic. The descriptive variables were the presentation, the wind-up, the release, and the follow-through. The dynamic variables were the length of stride, the horizontal velocity of the pitch, the torque of the arm about the shoulder joint, and the torque of hand-ball system about the wrist joint at release. The velocity of the ball at release is determined by the combination of two applications of rotary forces: a torque about the glenohumeral joint (shoulder) and a torque abo...