Hitting in fast-pitch softball can be a challenging experience. Pitchers can throw the ball at speeds up to 70 mph from a distance of 46 feet. That's about the equivalent of a baseball pitcher throwing better than 90 mph.As a result, hitters have to be both quick and aware at the plate to make solid contact on a consistent basis.
Hit the Ball Where It's Pitched
Good hitters quickly learn that one of the most important aspects to consistent hitting is to hit the ball where it's pitched. Power hitters often want to pull the ball so they can hit home runs. However, if a right-handed hitter gets a pitch on the outside half of the plate, she can hit the ball much harder if she drives it to right field. The inside pitch should be pulled to left field, and the pitch over the middle should be hit toward center field. Trying to pull the outside pitch will often result in a weak ground ball. Hitting the ball where it's pitched gives the batter a chance to hit a hard line drive.
Situational Hitting
Fast-pitch softball is often a low-scoring game. Scores like 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 are common. When a team gets a runner on base, it is important to move the runner around the bases. If the runner is on second base with less than two outs, the batter should try to hit the ball to the right side of the infield so the runner can advance to third base. If the runner is on third base with less than two outs, the batter should try to hit a fly ball to the outfield so the runner can score. Hitters who can execute when the game is on the line are valuable to their teams.
Slap Hitting
This is a technique that is almost exclusively used by left-handed hitters. With the slap approach, the batter will try to slap the ball to the left side of the infield in the hole between the shortstop and the third baseman. As the batter takes a half-swing, she is also starting to run toward first base so she gets an early jump on reaching safely. When a batter hits a two-hopper between shortstop and third with a slap swing, it is almost impossible to throw the batter out.
Power Hitting
There are some situations when your team is trailing late in the game and a home run is desperately needed. To become a good power hitter, you must have a consistent swing and have the confidence you can hit the ball. To add power to the equation, you will need to add a bit of an uppercut as you finish your follow-through. You don't want to swing up at the ball to make contact, because that will cause a pop-up. However, if you can add a slight uppercut on the follow-through, you may get a bit more carry on the ball, and that will enable you to get it to fly over the fence.
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