Fast pitch softball is a highly competitive game that is often dominated by pitching and is usually low scoring. One or two runs late in the game is often the difference between winning and losing. As a result, fundamental hitting, bunting and fielding plays are vital to being successful in the game.
All Fields Hitting
When pitchers can fire the ball at 70-plus miles per hour from a distance of 43 feet, hitters have to go with the pitch in order to be consistent hitters. If the batter tries to pull an outside pitch, the likely result will be an easy ground ball out. As a result, right-handed hitters need to take outside pitches to right field, pitches up the middle to center field and pull inside pitches. Left-handed batters must do the opposite. In this drill, the batting practice pitcher will give each batter five inside pitches, five pitches over the center of the plate and five pitches over the outside corner. The batter who can hit the most pitches to the proper field wins the drill.
Bunting
Bunting is vital in fast pitch softball. Advancing a runner into scoring position can mean the difference in a close game. All players -- including power hitters -- will be asked to bunt from time to time. In this drill, each hitter will be asked to lay down six sacrifice bunts. Three should be towards third base and three should be towards first base. Each hitter should be successful on 5-of-6 attempts.
Infield Defense
In this drill, you will hit three ground balls to each infielder. On the first ground ball, the infielder will throw to first base. On the second grounder, she will throw to second to start a double play. On the third, she will fire the ball to the catcher in order to get the runner at home. This will get a fielder used to making the key throws she will have to make in a game.
Throwing Relay
Throwing accuracy is vital in softball. Set up two lines of six players down each foul line. Players should be spaced evenly between home plate and the foul pole. Give the players at home plate the ball. On your signal, that player will begin the relay by throwing to the next player inline. Each player who catches the ball will turn and fire it to the next player in line until it gets to the player at the foul pole. That player will turn and begin the return relay. The object is to get the ball back to the catcher without letting the ball hit the ground at any point. The team that completes the relay first wins the drill.
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