With the lack of research on women's fastpitch softball, the current study aimed to identify if a lower body and core medicine ball training program caused an increase in bat swing velocities in division II fastpitch softball players. After University IRB approval, 16 division II female fastpitch softball players (age: 20.7 ± 1.19 years; height: 165.76 ± 6.68cm; weight: 146.50 ± 24.09lbs) volunteered to participate in this study. Training compliance rate for the experimental group was 91.0% and for the 91.5% for the control. Pre and post-test values of bat swing velocity, body fat percentage, lean body mass, and a 1RM of a weighted squat were collected. Participants were randomly placed in the experimental or control training group. The experimental group performed the regular in season strength and conditioning program, as well the sport specific medicine ball training program. The control group performed the regular in season strength and conditioning program, as well as a training program consisting of additional medicine ball exercises to assure an equal volume of training was done for both groups. Both groups completed their regular in season lifting as well as the additional medicine ball exercises on the same two days for a total of eight weeks (16 total training day). Results showed significant increases (p < 0.05) in average bat swing velocity and the 1RM of a weighted squat, from pre-testing to post testing for both groups. The experimental group experienced greater increases in bat swing velocity and 1RM weighted squat than the control group. However, when comparing the results from the experimental group to the control training group, there were no statistical differences. The results of the current study suggest that a lower body and core medicine ball training program, with division II fastpitch softball players, produces increases in bat swing velocity and in a 1 RM weighted squat.
