Hitting a fastpitch softball is challenging. Pitchers can throw the ball at speeds approaching 70 mph from 43 feet, which is the equivalent of a baseball thrown at a speed of 95 mph. In order to become a successful batter in fastpitch softball, you must use a bat that you can swing quickly through the hitting zone and keep your eyes focused on the center of the ball.
Proper Stance
Take the correct stance in the batter's box. Your left shoulder (for a right-handed hitter) should be facing the pitcher squarely. Your left foot needs to be directly underneath your left shoulder. Your feet should be shoulder-length apart and your knees should be bent in an athletic position. This will enable you to transfer your weight from your back leg to your front leg as the pitch is delivered. Stand deep in the batter's box with your back leg close to the rear white line that sets the boundary for the batter's box. By standing farther back in the box, you will have an extra split second to determine what type of pitch you are attempting to hit as well as its location.
Loading Your Stance
Just before the pitcher delivers the ball to home plate, be prepared to hit the ball. By leaning backward slightly before the pitch is delivered, you are loading your stance and putting all your weight on your rear leg. This is also called negative movement. As the pitch is delivered, you move your weight toward your front side. If you make contact with the ball as you transfer your weight, you have the opportunity to hit a fast pitch very hard.
Pitch Location
One of the best ways to hit a fastpitch hard is to hit the ball where it's pitched. Softball batters (right-handed) should hit an outside pitch to right field, a pitch over the middle of the plate to center field and a pitch over the inside corner to left field. Trying to hit a pitch over the outside corner to left field is difficult and unless you happen to have perfect timing, you will hit a ground ball to the shortstop. You can hit the ball with much more success by going with the pitch than always trying to pull it.
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