Thesoftball throw is atrack and field event used as a substitute for more technical throwing events in competitions involving youth,Paralympic,Special Olympics andmasters-level competitors.

The general rules for the softball throw parallel those of thejavelin throw when conducted in a formal environment,^[1] but the implement being thrown is a standardsoftball, which resembles the size of a standardshot but is considerably lighter.

The event was one of the standardized test events as part of thePresident's Award on Physical Fitness.^[2] It is an official event for ages 9–12 in the Hershey Youth track and field program.^[3] Other meets include it as a beginners event. It is a youth event for theWorld Dwarf Games.^[4]

Certain divisions of theSpecial Olympics throw a softball, specified in the rules as having a 30 cm circumference.^[5]

While it is not in the officialUSA Outdoor Track and Field Championships program, it is often part of local senior competitions.^[6][7][8][9] Some competitions introduce a factor for accuracy.^[10]

Some Special Olympics programs contest thetennis ball throw as an alternative to the softball throw.^[11][5]

Although the softball is the most common implement still used in non-Olympic-style competitions, during the 20th century there were variations of the event that were contested at the highest levels of open women's track and field in the United States. They were typically only held in women's competitions.^[12]

The baseball throw has been contested at theUSA Outdoor Track and Field Championships from1923 to1957. The championship record is held byBabe Didrikson at 296 ft 0 in (90.22 m), set at the1931 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.^[13][12]

The basketball throw was considered anindoor track and field analogue to the softball and baseball throws. It was contested at theUSA Indoor Track and Field Championships from1927 to1969. The championship record of 135 ft 2 in (41.19 m) was set byEarlene Brown at the1958 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships.^[14][15]

• Events in track and field
• Throwing sports
• Softball pitches

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