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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 masters-level competitors.

The general rules for the softball throw parallel those of the javelin throw when conducted in a formal environment, 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. It is an official event for ages 9–12 in the Hershey Youth track and field program. Other meets include it as a beginners event. It is a youth event for the World Dwarf Games.

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.

While it is not in the official National championship program, it is often part of local senior competitions. Some competitions introduce a factor for accuracy.

Historical variations

Although the softball is the most common implement still used in non-Olympic-style competitions, during the 20th century there were variations of the event that were contested at the highest levels of open women's track and field in the United States. They were typically only held in women's competitions.

Baseball throw

The baseball throw has been contested at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships from 1923 to 1957. The championship record is held by Babe Didrikson at 296 ft 0 in (90.22 m), set in 1931.

Basketball throw

The basketball throw was considered an indoor track and field analogue to the softball and baseball throws. It was contested at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships from 1927 to 1969. The championship record of 135 ft 2 in (41.19 m) was set by Earlene Brown at the 1958 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

References

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.
11. ^ "USATF Outdoor Champions". USA Track & Field. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
12. "Anne Harrington Sets New World Record for Baseball Throw". The Peninsula Times Tribune. 15 Jun 1925. p. 6. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
13. "USATF Indoor Champions". USA Track & Field. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
14. "Delia Burchfield Sets Record But Finishes Third". Star-Herald. 28 Mar 1958. p. 6. Retrieved 13 December 2024.

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