1. Eyes on the Ball
Young softball players learn very early that they can't hit the ball if they take their eyes off of it. To accomplish this, the batter's stance must allow the batter to keep the head still as he swings. It's not enough to keep just one eye on the ball, because that will throw off the batter's depth perception. Batter's must stand in a way that is both balanced and allows the batter to make eye contact with the pitcher.
2. The 60-40, 40-60 Rule
When a softball batter swings, the batter should shift her weight from the rear foot to the front foot. Many batting coaches recommend starting out with 60 percent of the weight on the rear foot and 40 percent on the front foot. As the batter swings, the weight transfers to the front foot so that the final weight distribution is 60 percent on the front foot and 40 percent on the rear. Some batters think taking a big step right before swinging produces a lot of power, but in reality, it accomplishes little more than throwing off the batter's balance.
3. Balanced Batter
The batter needs to be comfortable in the batting stance if he is going to be an efficient hitter. Feet should be shoulders width apart, and the knees should be slightly bent. The batter should lean toward home plate without crowding the plate and encroaching the strike zone. The degrees of all these elements will vary depending on the batter's center of gravity and what feels comfortable. Some batters prefer a closed stance, meaning their front foot is closer to home plate than their rear foot, while others prefer a more open stance with the rear foot closer to home. Either of these stances is acceptable as long as the batter is balanced and the stance isn't exaggerated.
4. Timing is Everything
Prior to the pitch, the batter should keep her arms relaxed with the elbows unlocked. The batter should lock the elbows at the moment the bat makes contact with the ball. Failing to lock the elbows will result in a fly foul ball and probably an out after the catcher gloves it. Locking the elbows too early will cause the batter to lose power.
5. To a T
The best way to perfect a batting stance is to practice hitting balls off a T. By eliminating the need to judge the ball's speed and height, the batter can concentrate solely on his stance. During batting practice, batters should work on technique by warming up with the T, then advance to slower and, finally, faster pitches.
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