Ignite

How to hit a Softball/Baseball

Perfect Bat

You need to make sure you have the right bat. When you are standing at the plate your bat should be able to reach at least to the middle of the plate. I prefer that my bat is able to reach all the way across the plate.

Make sure it is not to heavy. If the bat is to heavy you will not be able to swing it and get the right contact on the ball.

Bat Position

The position of the bat is very important. If you have the bat to high you will be late coming around on the ball and not be able to make contact or pop it up.

You want to make sure that your arms are back and your back elbow is up and ready to swing.

Bat Position cont.

Hold the bat with your front elbow down and relaxed, and your back elbow at a 45-degree angle, pointed at the ground.

Grasp the bat at a 45- to 90-degree angle with the middle knuckles of one hand aligned with the middle knuckles of the other hand.

Cont.

Keep your hands at the top of the strike zone, and near your back armpit. Make sure the bat is between the catcher and your back shoulder.

Keep your head straight, with your eyes focused on the pitcher at the release point of the ball.

Batting Stance

You need to make sure that your feet are shoulder width apart.

If your feet are not far enough apart or to far then this will effect your swing.

Swing batter, batter swing

After you have the correct bat and batting stance you are ready to take your first swing.

When the ball is pitched you should be ready to go.

As the ball is in front of you take your left leg and step forward just a little bit. If you step to far it can cause you to fall down and not get a good swing on the ball.

Swing cont.

When you step you should be bringing the bat around with you. This should be done in one motion.

If you are left handed batter you will move your right foot.

Whether you bat right or left you will always move your front foot.

E Eye on the Ball

When the pitcher releases the ball you need to make sure you are looking at the ball.

You should be looking for the laces on the ball. This will help you determine which way the ball is coming in.

The quicker you pick the ball up when it is coming at you the better chance of hitting it you have.

Eye ball cont.

Once you have picked up the ball you will be able to start your motion with the bat.

Remember feet set, bat up and ready to swing, back foot planted, front foot ready to step, and then time to blast the ball.

Quick Review

Start with a comfortable stance. Balance your weight on the balls of your feet. Keep your knees slightly flexed, with a slight bend at the waist.

Hold the bat with your front elbow down and relaxed, and your back elbow at a 45-degree angle, pointed at the ground.

Grasp the bat at a 45- to 90-degree angle with the middle knuckles of one hand aligned with the middle knuckles of the other hand.

Keep your hands at the top of the strike zone, and near your back armpit. Make sure the bat is between the catcher and your back shoulder.

Keep your head straight, with your eyes focused on the pitcher at the release point of the ball

Shift the weight onto your back foot as the pitcher goes into the windup.

Take a stride forward with the front foot on the release of the pitch, being careful not to bring any weight forward on the stride. This is called a soft step.

Start to pivot the back foot so that your back heel is facing the catcher, and transfer your weight forward to the middle of your body.

Launch your hands last, with the knob of the bat going toward the pitcher's feet.

Be careful not to drop the barrel of the bat below your hands at the start of the swing

Hit the ball and drive it, following through with your hands swinging to the opposite shoulder.

The End

I hope you have learned how to hit a softball and will be able to take what you learned out on the field with you.