Competitive softball is dominated by pitchers who can throw fastballs, curves, drops, risers, and change-ups. The best pitchers throw these pitches with command and control, and can often tie up batters who try to guess which pitch is coming next. Occasionally, however, pitchers will make mistakes, and good hitters can take advantage when they get to swing at a hittable pitch.
Line Drive Drill
There are times when a coach will let a hitter know that she should try to drive the ball for power, even aiming for a home run. When a team trails by a run or two in the late innings and opportunities are limited, the big swing may be acceptable. However, swinging from the heels generally yields little success. The key to staying controlled at home plate is going for line drives, and hitting the ball consistently. In this drill, the hitter will get 10 strikes to swing at. For every line drive she hits, she gets two points. For every fly ball, she gets another. Hitters get no points for grounders, or swings and misses. The hitter with the most points wins the drill.
Opposite Field Drill
In this drill, the coach will use a pitching machine to throw pitches over the outer half of the plate. Good hitters know that if they try to pull this pitch, they will most likely hit a weak ground ball. Right-handers need to hit this pitch to right field, and left-handers should try to drive it to right field. Give each hitter 10 pitches, and if she can drive the ball to the opposite field, she gets a point. If she pulls it, she gets minus-one point. Balls driven over the fence to the opposite field are worth two points. The player with the most points wins.
Hit-And-Run Drill
The hit-and-run play is vital in softball. When a runner gets on first base, the coach may choose to have her attempt to steal second. However, the batter may play a role, too. She must try to drive the ball through the hole left by a fielder moving to cover the base her teammate is trying to steal. This takes great bat control and skill. A right-handed batter will usually try to drive it through the hole the second baseman just left, while a lefty will try to put the ball through the shortstop hole. Give each batter 10 pitches, and the hitter who performs this task successfully the most times wins the drill.
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