Hitting the inside pitch in softball requires quick hands, quick reactions and a plan of attack when the pitch is thrown. Top pitchers in competitive fast-pitch softball can throw the ball at speeds of 70 mph or faster. This demands an aggressive posture at the plate and quick preparation to get your bat in a position to hit the ball hard on a consistent basis. A proper grip on the bat is essential when driving an inside pitch.
Step 1
Grip the bat firmly but do not squeeze it so tightly that you lose circulation in your fingertips. When you are hitting against pitchers who are going to bust a fastball on the inner portion of the plate, you will lose control of the bat when you make contact if you don't hold the bat firmly enough. Hold the bat at shoulder height when you take your stance in the batter's box; your weight should be evenly distributed in the batter's box.
Step 2
Coil your body as the pitcher winds up and prepares to deliver. The technical term for this is loading. When you load your swing, you get your body in a position to come forward as you swing the bat. To do this, you put most of your weight and momentum on your back leg during the pitcher's windup. As the pitcher releases the ball, you shift your weight forward. Take a small, quick step toward the pitcher and drive through toward the pitcher. Former U.S. Olympic softball player Cindy Bristow says that loading a swing properly can help a hitter drive an inside pitch with authority.
Step 3
Drive the knob of the bat through the hitting zone. Don't think about anything else when you see an inside pitch coming your way. When you can pull the knob of the bat through the hitting zone, you can get the bat around quickly enough to get the barrel of the bat on the ball and drive it with authority. As the hands come through the zone, your hips open up and that drives the bat through the inside pitch with velocity.
Step 4
Swing a weighted bat in the on-deck circle before stepping in the batter's box. You can use a bat donut, a leaded bat sleeve, a big bat or two or three bats. When you practice with heavier equipment, the game bat you take into the batter's box will seem lighter, and you will be able to swing it with much more authority. That will allow you to turn on the inside pitch and hit it hard.
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