The game of fast-pitch softball is dominated by pitching. Pitchers stand 40, 43 or 46 feet from home plate, depending on the level and gender of competition, and throw pitches that can reach speeds of 70 miles per hour, which is the equivalent of a 90-plus mph fastball in baseball. Additionally, some pitchers throw risers, drops, curves, sliders and changeups. As a result, hitting in softball is quite challenging. In order to hit the ball consistently, hitters should participate in drills that help them make solid contact.
Hit It Where It's Pitched
One key to becoming a successful hitter in softball is to learn to hit the ball where it's pitched. Some batters may fall in love with hitting home runs and try to pull every pitch, but that just plays into the pitcher's hands. In this drill, the batting practice pitcher will throw each batter 15 pitches. Five pitches will be over the inside corner of home plate, five will be over the middle and five will be over the outer part of the plate. The hitter must pull each inside pitch, hit each pitch over the middle to center field and hit the outside pitch to the opposite field. Each hitter scores one point for hitting the ball the correct way. Home runs hit to the correct field score two points. The player with the most points wins the drill.
Last Player Standing
At the end of a team practice, each player gets to swing at one pitch. If the player hits a line drive or a ground ball, the player stays alive in the drill. If the player hits a popup, fly ball or swings and misses, she is out of the drill. The drill continues after each round with the players who hit a line drive or ground ball. The last player left in the drill wins. This is a fun way to end a practice session, and forces players to focus on making solid contact at bat.
Two-Ball Toss
In this drill, a coach stands about eight feet to the side of the batter with two different colored softballs in his hands. As the batter stands at the plate, the coach tosses both balls in the air and calls out the color of one ball. The batter's role is to hit that particular ball. Give the batter 10 swings for this drill. It will help the batter develop quick wrists and become decisive at the plate.
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