American Sign Language: "softball" The sign for "softball" is based on the generic sign for BALL. SOFTBALL / BALL: Notes: The specific meaning of this sign relies on context. For example, suppose I ask you if you are going to the ________ tournament this Saturday? Which concept would fit? Obviously there is no such thing as a "ball tournament" and you would understand that I was talking about a softball tournament. If there is any doubt if you are signing softball, you can just do the sign "baseball" and then follow it up with the "softball" sign to show that you are talking about the version of baseball that uses the larger ball. Regarding the sign for softball: Someone mentioned in an online group that they use a small, underhanded throw double movement for "softball." Sure. You'll see variations out there. I'm going to stick with using the BALL+(context) version of SOFTBALL for now. I recall seeing / using the "BALL"+(context) version of SOFTBALL in Utah, Texas, and here in California. So I would perhaps suggest that the citation (regular) version of SOFTBALL is the softball-sized BALL sign and any other versions might better be listed as regional. Of course I'm open to someone changing my mind though. The BALL version just seems to be very common. For example see 2:03 here: https://youtu.be/FYdKjJCcQcw?t=123 and 23:53 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjuB-bDKljs&feature=youtu.be&t=1431 and 8:40 here: https://youtu.be/GJJQpVbTFoE?t=518 And then there's this clip of a Deaf softball player (Jill) who is definitely "into" softball: https://youtu.be/bEMJrv36lRw?t=42 IMHO: a palm down "throwing of a ball" single movement would seem to be a verb meaning "lobbed the ball underhanded to..." A double movement of that would be a regionalism or a neologism. Note: I don't care which version wins or becomes popular. Remember I just like to describe what I see. The fact is a one-handed / depictive version of SOFTBALL is would seem to be a natural evolution. Time will decide (not me). You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!) (You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.) Another way to help is to buy something from the ASLU "Bookstore." Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT > Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >

American Sign Language: "softball"

The sign for "softball" is based on the generic sign for BALL.

SOFTBALL / BALL:

Notes:

The specific meaning of this sign relies on context. For example, suppose I ask you if you are going to the ________ tournament this Saturday? Which concept would fit? Obviously there is no such thing as a "ball tournament" and you would understand that I was talking about a softball tournament. If there is any doubt if you are signing softball, you can just do the sign "baseball" and then follow it up with the "softball" sign to show that you are talking about the version of baseball that uses the larger ball.

Regarding the sign for softball:

Someone mentioned in an online group that they use a small, underhanded throw double movement for "softball."

Sure. You'll see variations out there.

I'm going to stick with using the BALL+(context) version of SOFTBALL for now.

I recall seeing / using the "BALL"+(context) version of SOFTBALL in Utah, Texas, and here in California. So I would perhaps suggest that the citation (regular) version of SOFTBALL is the softball-sized BALL sign and any other versions might better be listed as regional. Of course I'm open to someone changing my mind though.

The BALL version just seems to be very common.

For example see 2:03 here:
https://youtu.be/FYdKjJCcQcw?t=123

and 23:53 here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjuB-bDKljs&feature=youtu.be&t=1431

and 8:40 here:
https://youtu.be/GJJQpVbTFoE?t=518

And then there's this clip of a Deaf softball player (Jill) who is definitely "into" softball:
https://youtu.be/bEMJrv36lRw?t=42

IMHO: a palm down "throwing of a ball" single movement would seem to be a verb meaning "lobbed the ball underhanded to..."

A double movement of that would be a regionalism or a neologism.
Note: I don't care which version wins or becomes popular. Remember I just like to describe what I see.
The fact is a one-handed / depictive version of SOFTBALL is would seem to be a natural evolution.
Time will decide (not me).

You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars

Want to help support ASL University? It's easy: DONATE (Thanks!)
(You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue.)

Another way to help is to buy something from the ASLU "Bookstore."

Want even more ASL resources? Visit the "ASL Training Center!" (Subscription Extension of ASLU) CHECK IT OUT >

Bandwidth slow? Check out "ASLUniversity.com" (a free mirror of Lifeprint.com less traffic, fast access) VISIT >