fast-pitchadj.n.
/ˈfɑːs(t)pɪtʃ/, /ˈfas(t)pɪtʃ/, /ˌfɑːs(t)ˈpɪtʃ/, /ˌfas(t)ˈpɪtʃ/, U.S. /ˈfæs(t)ˌpɪtʃ/, /ˌfæs(t)ˈpɪtʃ/ A. adj.
Designating a variety of softball featuring fast underarm pitching, especially windmill pitching; of or relating to this variety of softball. Cf. slow-pitch adj.Fast-pitch softball is more common than slow-pitch softball.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > games similar to baseball > [adjective]
slow-pitch1933
fast-pitch1934
1934 Auburn Parker (Chicago) 16 May 12/3 John Walsh..has organized and will sponsor a senior men's fast pitch softball team that will enter the Evening American tournament.
1934 Racine (Wisconsin) Jrnl.-Times 19 Sept. 20/4 The Rhode Grocers boys softball team defeated the Rhode girls' team in a nine inning fast-pitch game.
1976 M. Apple Oranging of Amer. (1986) 88 Because there is no adequate protective equipment, army regulations prohibit hardball, but the Ninth Infantry plays fast-pitch softball, which is almost as grueling.
2005 Chicago Tribune 7 Aug. (Midwest ed.) iii. 8/3 When he returned home he tried out for the Dodgers, but they told him he was too old at 24, so he turned to fastpitch softball.
B. n.
A variety of the game of softball, featuring fast underarm pitching.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > games similar to baseball > [noun]
baseball1748
pat-ball1775
town ball1813
stickball1824
rounders1828
roundball1834
feeder1844
one-old-cat1856
softball1867
one-eyed cat1908
vigoroc1930
slow-pitch1934
fast-pitch1939
stoop ball1941
fastball1943
lob ball1949
whiffle-ball1954
Wiffle ball1955
T-ball1962
1939 Racine (Wisconsin) Jrnl.-Times 21 Apr. ii. 10/5 Teams interested in playing fast-pitch in the Classic league are requested to contact the recreation department.
1961 Dubois (Pa.) Courier-Express 1 June 10/5 St Mary Straub's softball team is seeking Sunday home games with area teams. They play fast-pitch.
2012 Kokomo (Indiana) Tribune (Nexis) 16 Feb. Now 10 years old, [she] is already following in her mother's footsteps as an ace fast-pitch softball pitcher.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1934