Drills to Increase fastpitch softball hitting power

It is no secret, Fastpitch batters focus most of their batting practice time on developing hitting mechanics that reinforce a hitter’s, quick hands inside the ball, long through the zone, finishing with good follow through. All-important skills a hitter need master to be sure. However, there is more to hitting the ball with softball crushing power

Proper timing starts with a batter correctly identifying the pitcher’s favorite pitches. This makes possible a hitter put all their mechanics hitters work so hard to perfect to work, get in front of a wicked fastball, or waiting on a nasty change-up, many hitters have a hard time getting their bat on.

The good news, there are a couple hitting drills that will absolutely help softball batters of all skill levels become better hitters. Additionally, for anyone that likes to take a more hands on approach and coach the girls rather than pay someone else give the girls private hitting lessons, or augment those lessons.

Everything you will need to run your own hitting drills, and the softball equipment recommended here will work for you.

Proper timing is a must. It is extremely important to remember, how to hitting mechanics drills you read, and watch on YouTube. Will not guarantee a batter hit a hard groundball, or crushing a fastball over the outfielder’s head. Unless timing drills are incorporated that help ensure making solid bat to ball contact.

Hitting a softball with power requires batters understand. Bat swing timing fundamentals. This is to say, proper timing bat to ball contact vary with each pitch, fastball, change-up, and whatever the pitcher’s favorite junk happens to be.

The key to hitting the softball consistently, getting the bat through the zone at the right time, making possible, solid contact with the bats sweet spot and softball.

When hitting an inside change-up and connecting with a fastball low and outside. Power hitters need remember be patient wait on the ball. Conversely, fastballs pitched over the inside corner of the plate, in the batter’s strike zone. The batter needs to swing early and hit the ball in front of their front foot, i.e. foot closest to pitcher.

Regardless pitch location, pitch recondition is of utmost importance, batter must remember to “keep eyes on the ball from the time ball leaves the pitcher’s throwing hand, until the bat makes solid contact with ball.

Simply put, this is the meaning of the commonly used phrase, See the ball, and hit the ball!   

Where hitting off a batting T helps develop good hitting mechanics and muscle memory. Soft toss drills adds the element of watching the ball leave the hand, there by providing batters practice recognizing hand movements, the path the soft tossed ball travels, and work on fluid bat swing timing.

The trick to making soft toss drills beneficial for hitters.

Do not get in a hurry when tossing balls to the hitter. This is not a race to see who can swing at the most balls in the shortest amount of time.

Treat each and every soft tossed ball as if the batter is stepping up to the plate facing the best pitcher in their league. Remember, the quality of balls hit not quantity of balls hit is the object of this drill.

At first, impress upon hitters, the importance of having the right frame of mind, a positive attitude is extremely important in this stage of the game. Especially when a young hitter finds herself stepping into the batter’s box facing a pitcher that has a cannon for an arm, and a nasty change up in her arsenal of pitches.

Done properly, soft toss drills will mimic a pitcher’s fastballs, and change ups, inside, outside, and down the middle of the plate. Giving the hitter ample time between soft tossed balls to reset both mentally and physically will pay huge dividends. For all the visual learners like me, I have included a video (just above this section) that explains why batters should practice, practice, practice soft toss drills.

Encouraging young hitters to develop her own style of approaching the plate that works for her, do a little dance, sing her favorite tune, or mentally go through a pre-hitting checklist. Then address the plate and get her feet set will go a long way to building the batter’s confidence. Girls must feel good about their batting skills, before they will hit the ball well. In short, girls must feel good to hit good.