Switch from Baseball to Softball?

While teaching pitching in both the city of Chicago and the suburbs, I’ve been able to come to understand the culture of each. Because most of the parks on the north side of Chicago began their softball programs less than eight years ago, many girls still play baseball. Parents struggle with the decision of switching their daughters from baseball to softball. If she does switch, when is the best time?

Here are a few of my observations about the baseball/softball switch, specifically in regard to the City of Chicago. I’m not evaluating whether anything is good or bad or if parents should or shouldn’t switch. These are simply things I’ve noticed and might be a good idea to take into consideration. It’s always good to be well educated about a decision before making it.

I’ve noticed the main reason parent feels the pressure to move from baseball to softball is because compared to boys, a girl physically will only be able to do a percentage of what they boys can do as they age. That parent would either like to 1) save her daughter heartache when she inevitably falls behind both physically and socially, and 2) start getting used to softball and excelling at it as early as possible. After all, softball and baseball are games of repetition and the earlier you begin, the better.

Girls in the city begin with baseball instead of softball because most available baseball programs begin at an earlier age. Those that do have the choice begin with baseball because they feel that the skill level is higher.

Chicago is in a unique situation. With a thriving baseball culture and only budding softball programs, the athleticism and experience of 7 to 12 year old city softball players is usually, at this point, at a lower level than the boys relative to their age. For the most part, if a 7 to 12 year old softball player would like to play softball at the same athletic level as the boys her age, she’d probably have to play in a developed suburban league

When it comes to the transition from baseball to softball, I’ve noticed that the longer a girl stays in baseball, the more of a culture shock it is for her to play softball. . The cheering, the ribbons, the giant ball. The athleticism of the girls is different. The underhand pitches come from a different angle and coaches communicate differently. Essentially, a player is entering an entirely different sport.

Some come into the new sport with somewhat of a skeptical and negative attitude because she’s heard comments about baseball being better, talent-wise, than softball. I think a young girl gathers from parents or friends, maybe baseball teammates, that she started baseball because it was better so she wants to continue in what’s better.

As far as the coaching differences go, most baseball coaches are dads who played the sport when they were younger. Boys’ hitting skills are better because dads can “parent-pitch” to the players much more accurately than they can pitch underhand. As a result, baseball players learn to hit at a much younger age than softball players. Baseball dads are motivated to teach the sport they know and loved as young athletes. Softball is either a bit foreign to them so they either avoid it, or teach it like baseball only to discover as the girls age that softball has big differences that they missed.

The biggest difference between the two sports is the pitching. In softball, pitching dominates the game. Without trained pitchers, success at the higher levels for any team is nearly impossible. At the younger levels, skilled pitchers make the game fun because it allows hitters to hit and fielders to field.

The short game in softball is another differentiating factor. Due to the 60-foot base paths, the offensive schemes are managed quite differently. Coaches need to teach defensive shifts to counteract this. Though there are shifts in baseball, they are never due to a lefty slapper with speed at the plate.

When parents ask me if I would recommend switching their daughter to softball from baseball, I tell them that I am not the appropriate person to decide if this would be best. But I do suggest two things to help aid them in figuring out when the right time will be: 1) Let her decide, and 2) continuously expose her to softball.

Allowing her to decide is important because, call me crazy, what if she is the one who plays baseball in high school, college, or beyond? What if she becomes a trailblazer for more young girls in the future?

If you make the decision for her, when she experiences some failure, as everyone does, you want it to be because of the situation, not because of you. Which do you want in her head as she grows up? “I really wanted to play baseball and was good at it, but my dad made me quit because he didn’t think I could do it.” Or, do you want this in her head, “I played baseball in high school, couldn’t hit as far as everyone else so I switched to softball. I had a hard time hitting a softball for a while but I eventually got the hang of it because my dad helped me.” Teach her resiliency and to never be afraid of discomfort or failure. If she decides to stay, consider girl baseball leagues. They are gaining popularity, even if on the recreational level.

Secondly, continuously expose her to softball. This way fear won’t be a factor in her being hesitant to try something new. Go to college softball games, play catch with a softball, or fill in at a softball game as a favor.

I believe that this will cease to be as much of an issue in Chicago as time progresses because the skill level of youth softball leagues will improve and match those of baseball. Parents are now doing a great job of organizing and developing softball leagues within the City of Chicago, and these leagues will only continue to improve. Baseball leagues for girls will become more widespread for those who just love the sport. Again, even as a former softball player and current coach I am not supporting one decision over another. Hopefully this simply informs you and makes your choice a little easier.