Welcome to Mt. Lebanon Girls Softball Association Fast Pitch page.

One of the goals of our program is to prepare our players for the exciting and competitive sport of fast-pitch softball. Fast-pitch softball is a highly competitive sport, which requires a great degree of commitment and ability. The commitment and ability is necessary for the safety of all players. Fast-pitch is a game much like baseball, the ball is a hard softball, the game is fast paced, and the players must be focused on the game at all times. Pitching is the most challenging part of fast-pitch for both the hitters and the pitchers; the ball is pitched at a great rate of speed depending upon the age and the ability of the pitcher. Being able to field and throw the ball is a necessary skill that all players must have to play fast-pitch.

A note about pitching.

Fast pitch softball is dominated by pitching. It is not unusual to have 10 or more strikeouts in a 7-inning game (21 outs). Learning the proper techniques and developing the necessary discipline is essential to becoming a good fast pitch pitcher.


What does it take to become a good fast pitch pitcher?

It takes dedication to become a dominant pitcher at the varsity level. Practicing technique frequently all year around leads to speed, control, and endurance. This does not mean becoming a one sport, one position athlete! Practicing pitching can be as simple as throwing into a hanging carpet 15 minutes a day. As a pitcher’s technique improves, her confidence increases, producing greater arm speed and weight transfer, creating more ball speed. Control comes from repetition of the release point, advancing from just getting the ball over the plate, to change ups, curves, drops, and risers, all to a specific location. Endurance is built up with the constant practice all year around, leading to an ability to pitch back to back games. It takes years of dedication and hard work to become a good pitcher at the varsity level. It has been said, "Champions are made when no one is looking", and this is especially true of top level pitchers in fast pitch softball.

If you’re curious to see if you have the discipline required to learn how to pitch fast pitch softball, join our clinics.

E-MAIL US: mlgsa@lebosoftball.org


Fast Pitch Travel Team
Frank Badolato, League Director

All travel teams will be determined by tryouts and/or by invitation (to be scheduled). Rosters will be 12-14 players and roster positions will be highly competitive. Mt. Lebanon fast-pitch travel teams will be playing in the Greater North Hills Softball League. The Greater Pittsburgh Softball League is a highly competitive league encompassing many communities in the Allegheny County region. Mt. Lebanon away games are generally played in surrounding southern communities, with Washington, PA being the farthest distance a team might travel.
  

10 & Under Travel Team
(as of January 1st of current school year)

This year we will have two teams in the 10 & under age group. While primarily an intra-community league, we will be inviting other communities to take part in our league. These communities are also in the beginning stages of fast-pitch for this age. Introduction and instruction are the emphasis of this league. The number of games and teams will be determined by registration. League rules will attempt to allow equitable participation both offensively and defensively for all players. All players will bat in order every game. Pitching in fast-pitch, especially at this young age, is very difficult to master. Depending on our girls’ abilities and the specific rules, which will be drawn up with the other communities. We will attempt to have the girls pitch the games and the pitching distance is 35 feet. Other objectives of instruction will include fielding, throwing, batting, base running, base stealing, sliding, bunting and most of all fun, in this league.
 

Age 12 & Under Travel Teams
(as of January 1st of current school year)

There will be two 12 & Under travel teams. This will be the first year Mt. Lebanon has fielded a 12 & Under team in the Greater Pittsburgh Softball Association. The girls in this age group have learned the basics of fast-pitch. The emphasis will be on the detail of the basics, such as seeing and taking advantage of a defensive mistake to get an extra base, placing a bunt, instead of just making contact, and learning the proper techniques in rundowns. Girls in this age group generally have above average skills and are thinking about playing high school softball.

 

Age 15 & Under Travel Team
(as of January 1st of current school year)

There will be two 15 & Under travel teams, depending on the number of registrations and coaching availability. Players will have a solid understanding of the basics and be able to execute them. They will be expected to gain a clear vision of more complicated plays, such as 1st and 3rd defensive and offensive plays, delayed steals, pitch-outs, and pick-off plays. Generally, girls in this age group aspire to play 9th grade or junior varsity softball.
 

Age 18 & Under Travel Team
(as of January 1st of current school year)

There will be one 18 & Under travel team. Girls in this age group have a good understanding of all aspects of the game and can execute them at a high level. They will be encouraged to purposely pressure defenses’ into mistakes both at the plate and as a base runner. More details are emphasized, such as the situation dictating the location of a throw to a defensive player, fouling off a pitch on purpose, and adjusting to situations without coaching instruction. These girls generally play junior varsity and varsity softball.