depends on the league playing but most slowpitch balls are smaller than fastpitch balls
there is no difference for slowpitch to slowpitch but there is one for slowpitch to fastpitch, slowpitch balls are squishy, but fastpitch ball are hard or solid
NOThing
yes, they are made differently and of different substances and could be damaged when hit
Construction and leather are the same (for respective models). Slowpitch gloves have bigger pockets to accommodate 12" softballs, however, slowpitch gloves generally are made for men. For Girls/Women's Fastpitch Softball, good gloves have slender fingerstalls to accommodate smaller finger and palms of girls and women.
You may be wondering what the difference is among a slowpitch softball bat, a fastpitch softball bat and a regular baseball bat. The difference is in the technology of designing the bat. The length, weight and barrel diameter, among other features, are the main differences. Manufacturers have determined the size and weight that are optimal for hitting a slowpitch softball versus fastpitch, and have designed them accordingly.softballpickles .com
2. Slowpitch and Fastpitch
Good quality baseballs and softballs are made completely differently. Inexpensive softballs are made of a cork and rubber mixture and a vinyl or other synthetic cover, then stitched with yarn. The vast majority of softballs, both slowpitch and fastpitch, are made of a solid polyurethane core and a leather cover stitched with nylon thread. The cover on better softballs is glued to the core before stitching. A fastpitch softball has raised seams and a slowpitch softball has flat seams. The core is the ball itself, not to be confused with COR, which stands for Coefficient of Restitution. Softballs are measure by two variables - COR and Compression. The higher of either number the harder the ball. The compression is simply the pounds per square inch required to compress the ball 1/4". The COR is the speed in which the ball goes from the compressed state back to its original round state (rebound).
9 on the field in fastpitch and 10 in slowpitch
Construction and leather are the same (for respective models). But Slowpitch have bigger pockets to accommodate 12" softballs and they are designed for men. For Girls/Women's Fastpitch Softball gloves, good gloves have slender fingerstalls to accommodate smaller finger and palms of girls and women. The Coach - www.thecoachreviews.com Information, Reviews and Rankings for over 50 Fastpitch Softball Gloves that cost $75 or more and over 40 Fastpitch Softball Bats that cost $100 or more
Construction and leather are the same (for respective models). But Slowpitch have bigger pockets to accommodate 12" softballs are are typically designed for men's larger hands and fingers. For Girls/Women's Fastpitch Softball Gloves, good gloves have slender fingerstalls to accommodate smaller finger and palms of girls and women. The Coach - www.thecoachreviews.com Information, Reviews and Rankings for over 50 Fastpitch Softball Gloves that cost $75 or more and over 40 Fastpitch Softball Bats that cost $100 or more
softballs are just as hard as baseballs. the name is quite confusing, but there is nothing soft about fastpitch softball
I don't know what the "legal" umpire answer would be, but I do know that fastpitch bats are made lighter so they can be swung quicker. It seems like you would want to use a slowpitch bat in slowpitch for the extra power you would get from the extra weight of the bat. There is no rule against it as long as the bat is an approved bat in the league you are playing in, i.e. ASA, USSSA, ISA, NSA.