Q&A for How to Hit a Slowpitch Softball

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Question

What is the best way to hold a softball bat?

Haley Snyder
Softball Player
Haley Snyder is a former Division I Student-Athlete and Softball Player. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in softball mechanics, fundamentals, and pitching. Haley holds a BA and MA from Stanford University, where she competed in the PAC-12 Conference as a pitcher.

Haley Snyder

Softball Player

Expert Answer

It's really a comfort thing! Some people like to hold the bat where it grooves into the palm of their hands, while others like to hold where it's mostly in the middle knuckle of their fingers. If you're a slapper, you might want to hold it more in your fingers to give yourself more control. If you'd like to make a powerful swing, hold the bat in the deeper part of your hand.

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Question

What makes a person pull the ball all the time?

Donagan

Top Answerer

It's a natural consequence of the direction in which the bat swings. You can avoid pulling the ball by delaying your swing just a little. You can also step toward the opposite field with your front foot as you swing. An outside pitch is the easiest to hit to the opposite field.

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Question

How do I stop hitting pop ups in slow pitch softball?

Community Answer

Keep practicing. You have to have a swing plane at about nine degrees. Make eye contact, and turn your hips. Remember, hips hit home runs.

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Question

I can't stop stepping back with my front foot instead of forward toward the pitcher, what can I do to get out of this habit?

Donagan

Top Answerer

In batting practice, place a block, a rock, or some other obstacle directly behind your front foot so that you can't step backwards with that foot.

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Question

I strike out a lot. When should I start to swing the bat when the ball comes down home plate?

Community Answer

The best way to learn to hit a slow pitch is to swing up at the ball as it comes down to you. After you're good at that, switch to a level swing. It's harder to hit a slow-pitched ball that way, but you'll get the best hits (line drives) by swinging level with the ground. (That is, unless you're strong enough to swing up and hit the ball over the outfield fence every time.)

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Question

How do I hit the ball? I am trying to learn how to play softball in two weeks.

Community Answer

The most important thing is to keep your eye on the ball. You should pay attention at all times. If it is in the strike zone (over home plate and between your knees and your shoulders) then swing. Just keep practicing.

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Question

How do I hit to left field?

Community Answer

If you're a righty, have an open swing (left foot pointed to left field or farther away from home plate). If you're a lefty, have a closed swing (with your right foot closer to home plate or pointed to left field).

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Question

For slow pitch softball, how big of a bat should a girl use who is 4'1" and 68 lbs?

Community Answer

I am 4’11” and 100 lbs, I use a 27 so ideally it should be lighter - maybe a 24.

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Question

What can I do in order to perform in a game the same way I do in practice?

Community Answer

Relax. At practice you are not as determined to hit, try to take that same relaxed approach in a game.

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Question

I'm hitting too many ground balls to the infielders, what am I doing wrong?

Community Answer

Make sure you have the correct grip on the bat, and you are swinging through the zone and not rolling your hands. Swing level and finish at your shoulder.

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