A well-thrown rise ball is a tremendous weapon in fast-pitch softball. It produces missed swings, foul balls to the screen and harmless pop-ups. Recognizing and hitting a good rise ball is one of the most difficult challenges facing a hitter. But a poorly thrown rise ball to a skilled power hitter can end up over the fence. And when hitters manage to lay off rise balls, they often soar up and out of the strike zone.
How To Hit The Rise Ball
Step 1
Observe whether the pitcher tries to throw rise balls for a strike. See if she can command the pitch. Some pitchers throw the rise ball out of the zone as a "show" pitch, to change the hitter's eye level and set up other pitches. Or they throw it as a "waste" pitch to see if the hitter will chase it.
Step 2
Keep your hands high. This is the proper way to start a good, compact fast-pitch swing against any pitch. High hands are especially important against high pitches, particularly rise balls. You use your hands as a gauge. If the pitch is coming in over your hands, lay off of it. Hitting that pitch would be difficult and the ball will head out of the strike zone.
Step 3
Adjust in the batter's box. By moving to the front of the batter's box, you might connect with the rise ball before it climbs past the hitting zone. "At the higher levels," former Northwestern University player Garland Cooper wrote for ESPN, "it is more beneficial to move to the back of the box. By moving back, you will be able to distinguish between a ball and a strike." By standing in the back of the box, you make it more difficult for a pitcher to get the umpire to call a strike on a rise ball. You also gain more time to reach the pitch.
Step 4
Attack the top half of the ball. That is generally sound hitting advice in the fast-pitch game, but it is especially important against rise balls. By trying to hit the top half of the rising ball, you have a better chance of hitting it square and delivering a line drive.
Step 5
Adjust your swing as needed. If you commit to the swing, elevate your hands and elbow as needed to keep them above the ball at the point of contact.
Step 6
Get ready to jump on a mistake. The rise ball is a difficult pitch to command and pitchers will leave some in the hitting zone, without enough movement. "Those are great pitches for hitters to take advantage of," Cooper wrote. "Don't be afraid to take a hack at one, especially if she is throwing them for strikes."
Tips and Warnings
- Watch pitchers closely between at-bats. What sort of rise ball does she have? When does she throw it? Pay attention to the umpiring. Is the pitching getting high strike calls? Or is the strike zone from the waist to the knee? The smaller the strike zone, the easier it is to lay off rise balls.
- Don't swing upward on a rise ball unless it is just hanging there. Elite hitters can adjust and launch a rise ball with an upward swing -- but most hitters ask for trouble when they drop their hands.
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