Developing into a consistent power hitter in slow-pitch softball is not just about swinging from your heels and attempting to drive every pitch high and deep. Slow-pitch hitting requires timing, a strong weight shift and the ability to hit the ball to all fields. Slow-pitch hitters who don't try to pull outside pitches will quickly realize that they can hit the long ball to the opposite field. This will cause problems for opposing defenses because they won't be able to play the batter as a pull hitter and that will leave gaps in the power alley.
Step 1
Stand in the back of the batter's box to gauge the pitch and take a shuffle step as the ball descends toward home. In slow-pitch softball, pitchers typically throw the ball with an arc and batters have to wait to swing if they are going to hit it hard; The shuffle step gets all of your momentum going forward as you get ready to swing the bat.
Step 2
Drive the ball to the opposite field if the ball is over the outer portion of the plate. Hit it to centerfield if the ball is over the middle of the plate, and pull the ball if it is over the inner portion of the plate. Hitters who try to pull every pitch in slow-pitch softball are usually making a mistake: The ball is bigger, and trying to pull the ball when it is over the outer half of the plate will usually result in a ground ball to shortstop. Driving that same pitch to the opposite field may result in an extra base hit.
Step 3
Assess the outfielders' positioning before you step into the batter's box. The outfielders may play you to pull the ball and that could leave you a big gap to take advantage of if you are a sharp and aggressive hitter. Many slow-pitch softball fields don't have a home run fence; if you can hit a hard line drive between the outfielders you may be able to get a double, triple or home run. Good hitters can learn to place the ball in slow-pitch softball with relative ease.
Step 4
Wait on the ball before you bring your hands through the hitting zone. You can start your shuffle step when the ball leaves the pitcher's hand, but don't start your hands until the ball is close to the hitting zone. Make contact with the ball when it is just in front of home plate -- you have time to wait for the ball to get there. Have patience in the batter's box.
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