Fastpitch softball in the UK and around the world is played mainly (but not exclusively) by women and girls and is the main international competition format of the sport.
Women's fastpitch softball was the Olympic format while the sport was on the Olympic Games programme from 1996-2008 and it rejoined the Olympic programme for the 2020 Tokyo Games that were staged in the summer of 2021. Although softball will not be in the Paris Olympics in 2024, it will return at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, and the hope is that softball ande baseball can eventually regain a permanent Olympic place.
Fastpitch is more challenging than slowpitch softball, and requires more skill and game awareness, but it is a tremendously rewarding game and the format is growing in both quantity and quality in the UK.
Most fastpitch activity is based in the southeast of England, but fastpitch activity is expanding to other areas of the country.
Getting involved
Here are some opportunities to play and learn fastpitch softball:
GREAT BRITAIN FASTPITCH LEAGUE
The Great Britain Fastpitch League (GBFL) is open to all players, female and male, from 14 years upwards. There are men's and women's leagues playing on a number of weekend days throughout the summer season. There is more information on the GBFL's own website: www.fastpitchsoftball.co.uk.
The league plays at the Farnham Park Baseball and Softball Complex, Beaconsfield Road, Farnham Royal, Slough SL2 3BP.
New players are always welcome, regardless of ability or previous experience with fastpitch softball or any form of softball. If you would like to get involved, email admin@fastpitchsoftball.co.uk.
BASEBALLSOFTBALLUK ACADEMY
BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK) runs National and Regional Academy fastpitch softball sessions over the winter months from October through April, open to all female and male players from 10-25 years of age. For information on dates, venues and cost for sessions, go to the Academy Page on the BSUK website.
BASEBALLSOFTBALLUK ACADEMY
BaseballSoftballUK also runs a High Performance Academy for female fastpitch players. These sessions are by invitation only, and are designed to help players advance on the pathwat towards national team selection. For information on dates, venues and cost for sessions, go to the High Performance Academy Page on the BSUK website.