Slow pitch softball is usually a high-scoring game that regularly features home runs. Timing the ball in slow-pitch softball is much easier than it is in fast pitch softball or baseball. The pitcher is not trying to strike out the batter. Instead, he is trying to place the ball in locations that will make it more difficult to hit the ball hard.
Comfortable Stance
Take a comfortable stance in the batter's box. One of the keys to hitting the ball well in slow pitch softball is making sure you feel good before you start your swing. If you are a power hitter who can regularly hit the ball over the fence, start in the back of the batter's box. As the pitch descends towards home plate, you will take a shuffle step to get all your momentum going forward. However, the swing starts with a comfortable stance that will give you full plate coverage when you begin your swing.
Field Assessment
In slow pitch softball, good pitchers are trying to get you to hit the ball directly at fielders. To get hits consistently, you want to avoid hitting it at the fielders. You are not just going to wail away in the batter's box. Once you see where the fielders are stationed, you can fashion a plan of attack in your mind to hit the ball to the open spots that would make it quite difficult for the fielders to make a play.
Pitch Location
Good hitters will attempt to hit the ball where it is pitched. If a right-handed hitter gets a pitch over the inner portion of the plate, he will try to hit it to left field. If he gets a pitch over the middle of the plate, he will try to hit it between left-center field and right-center field. A pitch over the outer portion of the plate should be driven to right field. Hitters who go with the pitch have a better chance of hitting the ball hard. Good power hitters can hit the ball over the fence to all fields. They don't have to pull everything. Hitters who try to pull every pitch help the pitcher out.
Line-drive Hitting
While some hitters can overpower the ball and drive a slow pitch softball out of the ball park with regularity, most hitters who try to do this will end up frustrated. A long, looping swing that requires the batter to uppercut the ball will usually result in a flyout. However, if you concentrate on hitting the ball hard and on a line, you have a better chance of helping your team with line-drive singles, double and triples. Make sure the barrel of the bat hits the ball squarely and you will still get your share of home runs without trying to uppercut the ball. A level swing will help you hit line drives.
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