How To Become A Better Slow Pitch Softball Hitter (7 Expert Tips)

Last Updated on August 13, 2023

According to Statista, approximately ten million people play softball in the United States. And eighty five percent of them are women. More importantly, the number is steadily increasing. So, for a girl, the career opportunities in slow pitch softball are enormous. And today, I will tell you how to become a better slow pitch softball hitter.

If you go back a hundred years or so, you will notice that it was intended to be similar to indoor cricket. However, as time passes, the rules change, and it becomes one of the most popular outdoor games.

The game’s rules are simple and clear. There will be two teams of nine players each. The winning team is the one with the most home runs.

I will do my best to answer some frequently asked questions about slow pitch softball. And I will share some of my thoughts with you. I believe that by the end of this article, you will understand how to become a good slow pitch softball hitter.

Difference Between Slow Pitch Softball and Baseball

Softball and Baseball are like twin siblings. They both appeared to be the same game. However, if you look closely, you will notice the distinctions.

• The rule in softball is to use balls of 11 to 12 inches in diameter. On the other hand, Baseball uses 9 inches in diameter balls.

• Then there’s a distinction in the base path. The base path in softball is 60 feet apart. And in Baseball, the base paths are 90 feet apart.

• Softball outfield fences are between 200 to 220 feet. And in Baseball, the boundaries are under 300 to 400 feet.

• There is also a difference in how the pitcher throws. Softball players throw underhand. Baseball players throw overhand.

However, the number of players in both games is the same. There is a pitcher, catcher, three outfielders, and four infielders in every game. The rules of the game are also the same. The team that scores the most runs wins the game.

Do you want to know the difference between baseball and softball swing, we have the perfect article for you: Softball Swing VS Baseball Swing

Basic Rules of How to Hit a Slow Pitch Softball:

Before you can learn to do something better, you must understand the basics. Things get a little more complicated when it comes time to take a swing at a slow pitch softball. Because if you hit the ball downward, in most cases, it will swerve upward. Yet, most of us believe that this is intended to happen when you take an uppercut shot.

The following rules will assist you in gaining control of your force and making the right swing. The only things that matter are how you will generate energy and transfer it.

So, hold on tight as we go over hitter steps across plate slow pitch softball:

1. Select Your Batting Equipment Wisely

You must have better quality equipment along with your practice and fitness to improve your performance. You do not have to spend a lot of money to get good gear. Focus on purchasing something that will provide you with the most comfort while swinging.

• First and foremost, as a softball hitter, your bat must be less than 34 inches long. Make an effort to use a light bat. I advise you to use an aluminum softball bat. To improve your grip, apply gripping tape to the handle. Choosing the best softball bats will help you to hit perfectly.

• Do not be afraid to use batting gloves during the game if you feel comfortable doing so. It will give you more control over your grip.

• Wear protective cups and helmets when standing in the batting cage. You will not have to worry about protecting yourself from the ball if you have protective gear on.

• Finally, get yourself a comfortable uniform.

Actually, softball bats are made with extra care and with high quality materials. And So, they are expensive in compared to baeball bats. Let's know why softball bats are expensive

2. Have a Better Comfortable Stance

From my experience, I can say standing in a better position where you feel comfortable is very important. So I always tell my students to learn to stand in their most satisfying position. I also advised them to refrain from copying others’ standing positions.

Your stance determines how much force you will generate initially to hit the ball. In terms of physics, momentum is used to generate power in the body. Then you’ll put all of your attention on the bat. Finally, you will transfer the power to the bat to send the ball further.

• First and foremost, try to leave a shoulder-sized or more significant gap between your legs. Distribute your body weight evenly until you begin to swing. Make a straight line with your body. Do not go too far forward or too far back.

• Always have your front foot ready to move forward. Keep your back leg firmly planted on the ground. During the swing, the stride will assist you in shifting the majority of your weight to your back.

• Stride forward (two short step distances) and hold the ground with your back foot when you see the ball coming to you during the pitch.

• Remember to rotate your hips in a parallel path with your shoulder. The rotation aids in maintaining balance and producing more force.

3. The Technique of Having a Better Grip

Gripping is crucial if you want to improve as a hitter in slow pitch softball.

In my experience, having an overlapping grip has more advantages than the standard grip. However, it would be preferable if you used it correctly. Place one hand on top of the other for an overlapping grip.

• When swinging, try to break the wrist alignment at the optimal time to exert more force. This will allow you to get more distance out of the ball.

However, if you are comfortable and skilled at standard gripping, do not force it to have an overlapping grip. Remember that it is only a suggestion, not a requirement.

4. The Position of Your Hands and Bat

In every step and tip, I am saying to prioritize your comfort. Because when you are standing in a batting box, you need to focus on the opponent. And most notably on the pitcher. To do so, you must feel comfortable. Otherwise, a bit of discomfort can break your focus. And that is enough to ruin your gameplay.

• So, in the same way, to have comfort, I will suggest you place your hands and bat as you like. 

• But to avoid minor mistakes, try to hold your bat as light as possible. Try to keep the bat where it can hover on your back and rest on your shoulder. 

• When you see the pitcher throw the ball, begin to stride forward with your front foot. During this time, keep both hands back until you begin to swing.

5. The Swing

I

f you ask me how to become a better slow pitch softball hitter. Then you will be one step closer to the answer by having a perfect swing.

Follow the preceding steps carefully. I’ve already mentioned how firm the grip and stance are. However, the swing will determine whether all of the previous works are important or not.

• Timing is everything when swinging. do not force yourself to make contact. Live in the present moment and go with the flow. Begin your movement as soon as you see the pitcher toss the ball.

• Take a step forward and begin swinging the bat. But remember, until then, place your bat on your back and hover it. The stride will assist you in gaining momentum.

• To see the ball, always use both of your eyes. This will assist you in determining the distance between you and the ball.

• In terms of timing, I recommend that you take your time. Take your time because the ball will not come to you right away. Also, try to hit it when the ball is one foot or little more away from you.

• Your chin will be on your front shoulder when you first start swinging. Finally, it will be on your back shoulder.

• Swing the bat around at least 180 degrees. During the hit, move from the back to the front in an arc shape. And you’ll notice that your grip is becoming tighter as the swing progresses.

Common Mistakes of a Slow Pitch Softball Hitter

Despite knowing these fundamentals, many players can still make mistakes and fail to have the best slowpitch softball swing. These errors occur due to a lack of practice.

When my students practice, I try to take notes on their errors so that I can better teach them in the future. I will try to list some of the most common errors here:

• Inadequate Grip: They hold the bat too tightly. Because they believe it will help them generate more force.

Here you can find some great gripping tapes.

• Trying too Hard: In softball, the player almost always tries to hit every ball big. They rush to hit the ball, but it only serves to get them out.

• Inadequate Balance: Sometimes, the players may be unable to maintain a proper stance. They failed to evenly distribute their body weight on both feet. As a result, they were unable to shift their weight to the back foot during the swing. Losing the force aids in the loss of momentum and a great deal of energy.

• Inaccurate timing: Players’ swings can be too fast or too slow. They were unable to measure the distance because they either used one eye or did not have enough reaction time. 

Launch Angle

When the bat strikes the ball, the vertical angle at which the ball flies away is referred to as the launch angle. According to my research, when you hit a softball hard and have a launch angle of 20 to 35 degrees, it will travel the furthest distance.

Here are some launch angle contact types to give you a basic understanding of the launch angle, and this is important learning to become a better hitter in slowpitch softball :

• A ground ball is when a ball is hit and launches less than 10 degrees.
• A line drive will be between 10 and 25 degrees.
• A fly ball is defined as a 25 to 50 degrees flying range.
• A pop-up shot is produced when the flying exceeds 50 degrees.

You can use the average hitting angle to evaluate any hitter. Similarly, pitchers can be assessed using the average Launch Angle Against (aLAA), which provides more accurate data. The pitcher, for example, can be identified as a ground ball pitcher or a fly ball pitcher based on the stats of their previous pitches.

If you want to learn how to become a professional slowpitch softball player, you must first understand the aLAA of other players. So you can get a rough idea of what kind of pitcher you’re dealing with and what they might throw at you.

The pitcher determines the majority of the hit Angle for a batter. It is difficult to hit a line drive or a fly ball shot if the pitcher maintains a launch angle close to the ground.

You get more about the launch angle here.

Chop Down Swing vs. Uppercut Swing

This contentious subject will be discussed in this part. I will try to explain why I believe one is better than the other for the best slowpitch softball swing.

Some people might argue that a home run requires an uppercut swing. On the other hand, some people may start a war to prove that a chop down swing is better for a home run. 

• I am not going to tell you what swing to take or how to hold the bat. Because every player is a different type of hitter, you should always play the way you feel the most comfortable. As a result, I recommend that you practice your move and swing. Give your hitting style top priority. And keep doing it the way you do it better.

• Home runs are good. However, it is not required on every hit, and it can not even be present on every swing. Just wait and see what happens. 

• If you see the ball keeping a low ground, try hitting the softball’s center with an uppercut swing. The proper swing will help you to take a single or double. If you see the ball is a fly ball pitcher, you can try for a 20 to 40-degree launch angle with a chop down swing.

• Uppercuts are inappropriate during a softball game and do not work well. According to my observations, this occurs due to the size of a softball. It measures nearly 11 inches in diameter. As a result, when you try to make an uppercut swing, the bat almost always hits the top of the ball. And the ball has a launch angle of fewer than 10 degrees. So, if you spot a good opportunity, try a chop down swing. If you can take a proper swing, you should be able to achieve a launch angle of 20 to 40 degrees.

To become a better hitter in slow pitch softball, I recommend that you master both swings. For example, if you do not learn to swing an uppercut, it can be the difference between winning and losing in one game.

Expert Tips:

After learning the fundamentals of slow pitch softball and the potential pitfalls, it’s time to pick up some pointers.

I will give you some pointers on how to become a better slowpitch softball player.

1. Confidence 

• This is the most important factor to remember. Because it doesn’t matter how much practice you’ve done in the past if you lack confidence. A lack of confidence can derail the entire game because confidence aids in the development of focus. So, be self-assured and develop a strong attitude. Strongly believe in yourself. 

2. Practice 

• Practicing will help you to improve. If you know everything there is to know about softball but do not practice, you will never be a better softball hitter. Master every step of every timing decision through practice. Exercise whenever you have free time. Even if you have to practice by yourself (It is better to practice with a hitting net when you practice alone).

3. Comfort

• Recognize your convenience and give it your undivided attention. Be at ease from the moment you step into the batter’s box until you take your final swing.

4. Balance 

• Make certain that you have a good sense of balance. To accomplish this, I recommend that you take a random swing in the air before taking your final stance. You can also perform some small jumps. Try to put the majority of your body weight and pressure on the back foot. This will assist you in moving your front foot as needed.

5. Perfect Hit

• Attempt to hit the ball in front of the plate. Do not let the ball get too close. If the ball comes too close, you will become jammed. Swing the bat by extending your hands along with it.

6. Equipment 

• I recommend that you use a lightweight bat. However, if you prefer a heavy-weight bat, go ahead and use it. Try to have equipment that you can use quickly and comfortably.

7. Strong Hit 

• Try bending your knees and moving forward only with your front leg to get a single substantial hit. But do not lose your footing. Control your legs, hips, hands, and shoulders all at the same time. Make the movement more rhythmic. Make sure that you have complete control over all of your body parts.

If you want to improve in baseball, follow: How to Be a Better Baseball Hitter

Top Softball Players

When you have a question about how to improve at something, you should first look for inspiration. The question, as stated in this content, is how to become a better slow pitch softball hitter.

So, look back in time to see how the best players played. What kind of attitude do they have? Then you will start to like some of the players. Dot Richardson, for example, maybe a favorite of yours.

Then you’ll start following her games. You’ll try to develop the same hitting style and confident demeanor. And one day, you’ll become a better hitter in slowpitch softball like her, or in your own style.  

This is not a formal list. I chose these six players based on my preferences and their ability to hit home runs. And if you want inspiration on how to become a professional slowpitch softball player, you can follow their career and style.  

From Men

Mike Maccenko 

• He is the undisputed king of home run hitting. In his 25-year career, he hit nearly 7000 home runs. He was inducted into the Halls of Fame of the ISA, NSA, USSSA, and ASA.

Bruce Meade 

• In a slow pitch softball game, he hit a 510-foot home run which was the best slowpitch softball swing. And he hit over 3500 home runs. He was awarded All-American 11 times.

Rick Scherr 

• This five-time National MVP award winner has 238 home runs to his credit.

From Women

Dot Richardson

• She has two gold medals from the Olympics in softball. She was the youngest player ever to compete in the ASA Women’s National Championship at the age of 13.

Lisa Maria Fernandez

• She was a pitcher and a third baseman during her playing career. She has three Olympic medals to her name. She is currently an assistant coach at UCLA.

Jennie Lynn Finch

• Time Magazine says she is the most famous softball player in history. In 2001, she was named collegiate All American. After her retirement, she joined ESPN.

Want to know more about great baseball players? We created a list of the 100 Greatest Baseball players of All Time. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How to become a professional slow pitch softball player?

ANSWER: First and foremost, give your all and strive to be the best version of yourself. Then try to join a state club where you would be a good fit.

2. What is something you must remember when batting in softball? 

ANSWER: Remember to maintain proper body alignment. And do not lose focus on opponents, especially the pitcher. This will help you to have the best slowpitch softball swing.

3. How do I stop hitting pop-ups in slow pitch softball?

ANSWER: Through practice, a person can achieve perfection. Sustain your practice. Try an uppercut swing to avoid hitting it to more than 50 degrees when you suspect a pop-up pitch.

4. What can I perform in a game as I do in practice?

ANSWER: Try to relax. You try to hit to improve yourself in practice, and there is no pressure to win. So try to unwind and concentrate solely on your game. Do not consider what will happen if you lose or what the crowd will think of you. Just give your best. 

5. How to be a better hitter in slow pitch softball?

ANSWER: Hips are important to transfer the main force from your back foot. Try your best to rotate it anti-clockwise if you are a right-handed player or vice versa if you are a left-handed player. And again, do your practice and be focused during the game.

6. How to be a good slow pitch softball hitter?

ANSWER: Follow your coach’s advice and practice as directed. Work on your special swing. And be focused. 

Conclusion:

Softball is a really fun game to play. This game also has a better opportunity to make a good career. And to conclude the question of how to become a better slowpitch softball hitter, I will suggest you take each step at your own pace.

However, at first, try to adapt the fundamentals as best you can. Because the fundamentals I mentioned earlier will aid you in your gameplay. And the expert advice will teach you how to bend the fundamentals so that you can reap more benefits.

So, keep practicing, and I hope one day you will become a better hitter in slow pitch softball.