Hitting a softball can be quite difficult. Pitchers are very skilled and have the ability to throw drops, rises, curveballs and fastballs. Some fastball pitchers are capable of throwing the ball at 70 miles per hour from a distance of 43 to 46 feet. That's the equivalent of a baseball being thrown at 95 miles per hour. Batters should go up to the plate as well-prepared as possible to make solid contact.
Stand Deep in the Box
Give yourself every chance to hit the pitch. To have an extra split-second, stand as far back in the batter's box as possible, particularly if you are facing a pitcher with a good fastball. This may give you an extra tenth or two-tenths of a second to react to the thrown ball. This may not seem like much, but it can allow you to make solid contact with the ball upon reacting to the pitch.
Load the Bat
One of the key ways to hit the ball hard is to load your bat prior to the pitch being delivered to the plate. This is also known by hitting coaches and hitters as negative movement. When you swing at the pitch, you want all your weight and momentum going forward. To do this, you have to get all your momentum on your back leg prior to starting your swing. To do this, transfer the majority of your weight to your back leg as the pitcher winds up, by the time she releases the ball, the only place you will be able to go is forward. This will allow you to hit the ball with authority on every swing.
Go With the Pitch
When pitchers can change speeds, throw curveballs, risers and drops and throw at high speeds, it's important not to help the pitcher out when you are swinging the bat. If you are a right-handed batter and the pitcher throws a pitch over the outer half of the plate, hit the ball to right field. If the pitch is over the middle, drive it to center. If the pitch is on the inner half of the plate, pull the ball to left field. Some hitters try to pull every pitch. That's almost always a mistake. Trying to pull that outside pitch to left usually results in a weak ground ball to short or second. That helps the pitcher. Work on your own behalf and go with the pitch.
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