Learning to hit the ball where you want it to go is vital in slow-pitch softball. Although some of the bigger and more powerful hitters are capable of driving the ball for distance and hitting home runs on a consistent basis, most hitters need to hit the ball into the gaps and to the openings in the opposite field if they are going to help their team compete. Hitters need to be able to recognize pitch location and maintain bat control to hit the ball hard to the opposite field.
Step 1
Wait on the ball. You need patience at the plate when you are going to hit the ball to the opposite field. Don't start your swing as soon as the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. When hitting in slow-pitch softball, wait for the ball to reach the peak of its arc before starting your swing.
Step 2
Look for an outside pitch when you hit to the opposite field. It will be easier to drive this pitch for distance and to get a long hit to the opposite field when the pitch is over the outer half of the plate. In many slow-pitch leagues you will only get two strikes, so you won't have the luxury of waiting on the pitch you want if you already have one strike. However, wait for the outside pitch until you have a strike.
Step 3
Bring your hands through the hitting zone but angle your bat toward the opposite field when you make contact. If you are right-handed, the barrel of your bat should be facing right field when you make contact with the ball. This will send the ball toward right field or the right-field line.
Step 4
Keep your eye on the inside seam of the ball. This is the part of the ball that you want to make contact with first if you are going to hit the ball to the opposite field. When the bat is angled toward the opposite field and you hit the inner portion of the ball, you will drive the ball in that direction. If you make contact with the outer seam, you will likely pull the ball and not hit it to the opposite field.
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