NATCHEZ — Fast-pitch softball is on the rise. But will it totally replace slow-pitch softball?

Natchez High School did away with its slow-pitch program and Adams County Christian School added fast-pitch this season. Even colleges have gone to fast-pitch programs.

“Fast-pitch is still new to this area,” ACCS head coach Forrest Foster said. “It is hard to find kids who have played before.”

Fast-pitch requires a pitcher and catcher for a team to be successful. Players are taught how to steal, bunt and learn signs, much like baseball.

“Fast-pitch is more fast passed than slow-pitch,” Trinity pitcher Alyx Atkinson said. “You have to go in to depth on situations like types of bunting, stealing and strategies.”

The transition has its opponents. Cathedral head coach Pam Clayton said fast-pitch puts less on defense and more on pitching.

“Fast-pitch is a pitcher/catcher based sport,” Clayton said. “Girls that grow up playing fast-pitch lack defensive skills compared to ones that played slow-pitch.”

ACCS pitcher Sara Beth Fuller is new to fast-pitch.

“Fast-pitch is fun,” Fuller said. “It takes time getting used to it.”

Switching to fast-pitch isn’t easy.

“I’ve told my team that we can’t be concerned with wins or losses,” Foster said. “We know it’s going to take time to build a program and adjust to the game.”

Trinity, still new to fast-pitch, took its licks in the beginning head coach Sue Geter said.

“We finally started to build pitchers and the addition of Alyx was wonderful,” Geter said. “(Alyx) has played fast-pitch for awhile so she has helped the others along.”

Besides pitching, hitting is a challenge for new players. Batters must have a quicker reaction time to make contact. Some pitchers can hurl the ball in to the 60 mile per hour range.

Fast-pitch softball may never totally replace slow-pitch but it has made its mark. Due to the increase of interest at the college levels more schools may incorporate it.