- Jun 17, 2012
- 6
- 0
What if any is the difference between a 12 inch fastpitch ball versus a 12 inch mens slowpitch ball?
12 inch fastpitch ball versus 12 inch mens slowpitch ball?
- Thread starter Taylor0131
- Start date
Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch
Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.
Batfoo.com - Slow Pitch Softball Articles
Softball COR and Compression
Softballs are rated based on two metrics - Coefficient Of Restitution (COR - pronounced like core) and compression. COR represents how "bouncy" the ball is. The higher the COR, the more bouncy the ball is and, generally, the farther it will fly. COR is the percentage of reduction in speed for a ball bouncing off a wall. If a ball is thrown at a wall at 80 miles per hour and bounces off at 40 miles per hour, the speed has been reduced by 50%. The ball would be rated with a COR of .50 (referred to as a fifty COR ball). If your league plays with a .44 COR ball, the speed bouncing off the wall would be 35 miles per hour.
Softball compression is a measure of how hard a softball is. The higher the compression, the harder the ball, and generally, the farther it will fly. Compression is measured by how many pounds of force are needed to squeeze two sides of the ball in by a total of one-quarter of an inch. If a test shows that it takes 375 pounds of force to squeeze the ball by one-quarter inch, the ball is certified as a 375 pound compression ball. The ASA has only approved two levels of compression - 375 pounds and 525 pounds. 375 pound balls are softer than 525's. The ASA "rounds up" to assign the compression rating. For example, if the test shows it only takes 325 pounds of force to achieve the one-quarter inch squeeze, the ball will be rated as a 375 compression ball. This means your league may be playing with a ball rated as 375 compression, but it is really softer than a true 375 compression ball because of the "rounding up."
Testing has shown two main things as it relates to softball COR and compression and on-field performance. First, a change from a .47 COR, 525 pound ball to a .44 COR, 375 pound ball decreases performance by up to 6%. All other things being equal, this means that a 305 foot home run using a .47 COR, 525 pound ball would be a 290 foot fly out using a .44 COR, 375 pound ball. Second, reductions in compression have a much greater impact in on-field performance than reductions in COR.
As a player, you should also be aware that weather has an enormous impact on the compression of a softball. Studies have shown that when the temperature is 100 degrees, an average softball looses 200 pounds of compression as compared with the same softball at 60 degrees. This means that a softball that is a 525 pound compression ball at 60 degrees may play like a 375 pound ball at 100 degrees. In addition, clouds, rain, and humidity also affect the compression of a ball. 70 degrees and sunny creates lower compression balls than if it was 70 degrees and cloudy. Leather balls generally take on more moisture in rainy or humid conditions than synthetic balls. This will generally raise the compression and level of play up to a point, then performance will decline once the ball takes on too much water and becomes too heavy.
Keep these factors in mind when deciding which bat to use and when determining your approach for each at-bat. If it is hot and humid, it may be best not to try for a home run, but instead try for a base hit.
Softball COR and Compression
Softballs are rated based on two metrics - Coefficient Of Restitution (COR - pronounced like core) and compression. COR represents how "bouncy" the ball is. The higher the COR, the more bouncy the ball is and, generally, the farther it will fly. COR is the percentage of reduction in speed for a ball bouncing off a wall. If a ball is thrown at a wall at 80 miles per hour and bounces off at 40 miles per hour, the speed has been reduced by 50%. The ball would be rated with a COR of .50 (referred to as a fifty COR ball). If your league plays with a .44 COR ball, the speed bouncing off the wall would be 35 miles per hour.
Softball compression is a measure of how hard a softball is. The higher the compression, the harder the ball, and generally, the farther it will fly. Compression is measured by how many pounds of force are needed to squeeze two sides of the ball in by a total of one-quarter of an inch. If a test shows that it takes 375 pounds of force to squeeze the ball by one-quarter inch, the ball is certified as a 375 pound compression ball. The ASA has only approved two levels of compression - 375 pounds and 525 pounds. 375 pound balls are softer than 525's. The ASA "rounds up" to assign the compression rating. For example, if the test shows it only takes 325 pounds of force to achieve the one-quarter inch squeeze, the ball will be rated as a 375 compression ball. This means your league may be playing with a ball rated as 375 compression, but it is really softer than a true 375 compression ball because of the "rounding up."
Testing has shown two main things as it relates to softball COR and compression and on-field performance. First, a change from a .47 COR, 525 pound ball to a .44 COR, 375 pound ball decreases performance by up to 6%. All other things being equal, this means that a 305 foot home run using a .47 COR, 525 pound ball would be a 290 foot fly out using a .44 COR, 375 pound ball. Second, reductions in compression have a much greater impact in on-field performance than reductions in COR.
As a player, you should also be aware that weather has an enormous impact on the compression of a softball. Studies have shown that when the temperature is 100 degrees, an average softball looses 200 pounds of compression as compared with the same softball at 60 degrees. This means that a softball that is a 525 pound compression ball at 60 degrees may play like a 375 pound ball at 100 degrees. In addition, clouds, rain, and humidity also affect the compression of a ball. 70 degrees and sunny creates lower compression balls than if it was 70 degrees and cloudy. Leather balls generally take on more moisture in rainy or humid conditions than synthetic balls. This will generally raise the compression and level of play up to a point, then performance will decline once the ball takes on too much water and becomes too heavy.
Keep these factors in mind when deciding which bat to use and when determining your approach for each at-bat. If it is hot and humid, it may be best not to try for a home run, but instead try for a base hit.
redhotcoach
Out on good behavior
- May 8, 2009
- 4,698
- 38
Men's slowpitch balls (Asa) are .44 cor. Fastpitch balls are mostly .47 cor. There is 6% less performance or bounce back in a .44 than a .47. So it will fly 6 feet less every 100 feet.
Last edited:
- Jan 25, 2011
- 2,278
- 38
The longhaul bombers that go to MLB parks,use a Evil brand ball.I think they are made out of some space aged very hard but light compound.They dont even make baseballs that hard.
redhotcoach
Out on good behavior
- May 8, 2009
- 4,698
- 38
It's a .53 cor 600lb compression ball. I imagine composite bat life is pretty short with these bouncy rocks.
redhotcoach
Out on good behavior
- May 8, 2009
- 4,698
- 38
So with the shaved bat adding 50-60 feet. The hot ball adding 30-40 feet. 300 foot fences are well with in most hitters reach, occasionally! Those long haulers hitting around 500 feet and 10+ balls out of 15 is still darn impressive.
Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
If you include PEDs, add another 50-75 feet.
- Apr 25, 2010
- 772
- 0
Do slow pitch balls also have flatter seams?
No, to the flatter seams question. There is no visible difference.
In slow pitch the women are required to use an 11 inch ball.
In slow pitch the women are required to use an 11 inch ball.
redhotcoach
Out on good behavior
- May 8, 2009
- 4,698
- 38
It isn't a standard, just brand and model difference. That being said the worth blue dot, and dream seam usssa balls, and the dudley asa balls we use in fast pitch have higher than normal seams.
(need to carry an inventory of both , because God forbid you pitch a blue seam ball in asa, or a red seam in usssa)
