Hitting the ball consistently against competitive softball pitchers is quite challenging. Pitchers throw the ball at speeds approaching 70 miles per hour from a distance of 43 feet. That's the equivalent of a baseball pitcher who can throw a fastball at 95 mph in baseball. You need good bat speed and must swing decisively to hit the ball hard in softball.
Step 1
Hit the ball where it is pitched. This is one of the most common sense approaches toward hitting the softball. It will allow you to hit the ball hard no matter where it's pitched. It is not all or nothing like the power-hitting approach and you are not giving up the ability to get extra base hits the way you do with the slap-hitting approach. Stand deep in the batter's box and give yourself a chance to recognize the pitch. If you are a right-handed batter, drive the outside pitch to right field. Hit the pitch over the middle of the plate to center field. Pull the inside pitch to left field. You must alter your swing depending on the location but you will be able to hit all of these pitches hard.
Step 2
Take a power swing every time you come to the plate. This is an all-or-nothing approach that may not result in a high batting average. You are sacrificing the smaller hits for the chance to drive the ball deep out of the ballpark. This is not for every hitter. You have to be strong and have natural power. Most players who do this have their manager or coach's approval. The long ball has its place, but it take a hitter with strength and patience to master this approach.
Step 3
Slap the ball in order to get on base. Many hitters struggle to hit the ball consistently because of the pitcher's velocity. The slap hitter is merely trying to get her bat on the ball in order to reach base. There is no pretense about driving the ball into the gaps or trying to hit the long ball. Instead it is about making contact to hit an infield grounder and taking off from the batter's box as the swing is in progress. The left-handed slap hitter has an advantage over her right-handed counterpart. First, she is closer to first base and can get there quicker. She is also hitting the ball to the left side of the the infield and the play takes longer to make than a right-handed hitter who slaps the ball to the first or second baseman.
Step 4
Mix up your hitting approaches. You may have the ability to hit the ball over the fence, but if your team needs a base hit, try hitting the ball where it's pitched. The slap hitter must continue to work on her batting technique because merely getting your bat on the ball won't help when you are facing a team that has quality fielders who can easily make the plays to get you out.
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