Posted by: Teddy () on Thu May 31 11:06:06 2001

I am wondering if anyone can help? I coach a 10 and under girls fastpitch team. After watching some of the college world series and some of the older girls play, I have noticed that when they stand on the bag they have their left foot on the bag and the right foot behind the bag. I figure that this is too push off, like using starting blocks in racing? What I want to know is why wouldn't you push off with your strongest foot? Everyone uses the left foot to push off. What is the reason? Thanks

We start our girls with the left foot on the edge of the base rather
than on top of it. The girls use the base as a starting block to propel themselves. The right foot is slightly behind the base. We use this method with the theory that the girl can start a little early and her back(right) foot will still be in contact with the base or at least for the umpire the perception will be she still is in contact. This method means that the right leg(in most cases the dominant leg)is the first to stride.