Softball throw

The softball throw is a track and field event used as a substitute for more technical throwing events in competitions involving Youth, Paralympic, Special Olympics and Senior competitors.

The general rules for the softball throw parallel those of the javelin throw when conducted in a formal environment,[1] but the implement being thrown is a standard softball, which resembles the size of a standard shot but is considerably lighter.

The event was one of the standardized test events as part of the President's Award on Physical Fitness.[2] It is an official event for ages 9–12 in the Hershey Youth track and field program.[3] Other meets include it as a beginners event. It is a youth event for the World Dwarf Games.[4]

Certain divisions of the Special Olympics throw a softball, specified in the rules as having a 30 cm circumference. Some divisions do a similar ball throw using a tennis ball.[5]

While it is not in the official National championship program, it is often part of local senior competitions.[6][7][8][9] Some competitions introduce a factor for accuracy.[10]

  1. ^ American Sport Education Program; USA Track & Field; Hershey Company (2008). Coaching Youth Track and Field. Human Kinetics. ISBN 9780736069144.
  2. ^ "PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON PHYSICAL FITNESS & SPORTS The First 50 Years: 1956-2006" (PDF). Fitness.gov. 25 May 2006. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-05-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "2013 IDAF Rules" (PDF). 2013worlddwarfgames.org. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  5. ^ "Special Olympics Summer Sports Rules" (PDF). Media.specialolympics.org. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  6. ^ "Maryland Senior Olympics". Mdseniorolympics.org. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  7. ^ "National Senior Games Association - State Games". Nsga.com. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  8. ^ Rob Carson (1 April 2013). "2010 Palm Desert International Sports Festival and Senior Games" (PDF). Myrecreationdistrict.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  9. ^ "2013 NSG Track & Field Records". Siaaustralia.com.au. Archived from the original on 2014-05-13. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  10. ^ "Football/Softball Throws | Accuracy & Distance". Iowaseniorgames.org. Retrieved 2014-05-10.