Slow-pitch softball is noted for its big-time sluggers and high scores. Many of the players are powerful hitters looking to drive any pitch they can reach out of the ballpark with bats that are usually quite large. Pitchers have a difficult time succeeding at slow-pitch softball, particularly when they are competing against talented and experienced hitters. A savvy pitcher, however, can make some minor adjustments and take away some of the hitter's edge.
High-Arc Pitch
Take advantage of the high-arc rule and drop pitches in on the mat behind the plate, with the ball passing the batter at shoulder level. Slow-pitch softball is not like the fast-pitch version of the game or baseball. It's not about throwing a ball that crosses home plate between the batter's arm pits and knees. That's the kind of pitch a batter can crush. Instead, throw a high-arc pitch of close to 12 feet in height that passes the batter's back shoulder and drops on the mat. This will be a strike, and it is a difficult pitch to hit.
Getting Ahead in the Count
Throw a ball outside the strike zone if you get two strikes on the batter and you are ahead in the count. The softball may be a big target and easy for most batters to hit, but not when the pitch is outside of the strike zone. Once you are ahead in the count, a number of hitters will grow fearful of striking out, especially when it happens on a called third strike. If you throw a pitch that is about six to 12 inches out of the strike zone, you have a chance to make the batter swing and miss or ground out weakly.
Fielding Your Position
In slow-pitch softball, pitchers have to be great fielders. Many pitchers will drop back three to five steps after letting go of the softball. You want to be in a position to field the ball and help your team play defense. Because you are throwing a high-arc pitch, you have time to drop back and put yourself in a position to make key plays and keep your team in the game.
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