In the 1983 comedy "Max Dugan Returns," real-life Major League batting coach Charlie Lau tells actor Mathew Broderick's character, "You can't hit what you can't see." Possibly the easiest pitch to see in all of baseball is a softball slow pitch. Many batting coaches preach the importance of a level swing when hitting hardball and fast-pitch softball pitches. Hitting in slow-pitch softball is about timing and the correct plane of your swing.
Step 1
Stand in front of a mirror and cock your bat in the ready position. The angle of your bat should be away from the pitcher, or toward the back of the batter's box. Create an imaginary line from the tip of your bat to the toe of your front foot, which is the foot closest to the pitcher. Bat angle affects the plane of your swing.
Step 2
Practice cocking your bat at the correct angle until you are able to do it without the aid of a mirror.
Step 3
Take your stance in the batter's box and cock your bat. Your feet should be slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly flexed for a balanced stance. The toes of your shoes create an imaginary straight line to the pitcher's mound.
Step 4
Ask the pitcher to deliver a slow pitch. Keep your eyes on the ball from the moment it leaves the pitcher's hand. Resist any impulse to alter the angle of your bat or shift your body weight as the ball comes into range of home plate.
Step 5
Anticipate swinging at the pitch when the softball reaches waist level, directly over home plate. Keeping your eyes on the ball, take an easy swing without the intention of hitting the ball a long ways.
Step 6
Maintain your focus on the point of contact as you follow through with your swing. Keep your eyes on the point of contact until the tip of your bat is pointing in the direction of the pitcher.
Step 7
Ask the pitcher to deliver several slow pitches in succession to duplicate a game situation. Time the arrival of the ball in your hitting zone. Swing at each pitch without trying to generate power so you can develop your timing. Concentrate on maintaining your focus on the point of contact as you swing and follow through.
Step 8
Ask the pitcher to deliver several more slow pitches in succession. Swing at good pitches using a bit more power. Continue to practice until you are able to swing precisely each time and make contact consistently. Note the results of your hitting practice and increase the speed of your swing, if necessary. Avoid swinging all-out at any time.
Tips and Warnings
- Practice hitting the softball off a hitting tee and develop the ability to keep your eyes on the point of contact as you follow through. Let pitches pass until you receive a pitch at the optimum location over home plate. Look at websites, such as Softball Performance, for more hitting theory and practice tips.
Things You'll Need
- Slow pitch bat
- Pitcher
- Softballs
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