Softball is a highly competitive sport where everybody is playing to win. As a player, you should be ready to push yourself to the limit – improve your skills, practice diligently, and always play smart. Knowing that the opposing team wants to win as much as you do, you need a strategy. With that in mind, we’ve got four key winning factors in softball games that will give you and your team a competitive edge.
Choosing the Right Softball Bats
Your bat is an essential piece of equipment. Not all bats are the same. Similar to gloves and cleats, you need to ensure that you are using the best bat for your hitting style. This includes finding a bat that balances length and weight to give you hitting power and control.
To find out if your softball bat is the correct length, make sure to follow these steps:
- Place the knob of the bat at the center of your chest.
- Point the barrel toward your fingertips.
- Check whether you can touch the end of the bat with your fingertips.
This is a simple test that tells you which softball bats are appropriately sized for you. If you can touch the end of the bat with your fingertips, then it passes the test. If not, then try looking for a shorter bat. Needless to say, you should never get a bat that is too long for you as it may prove unwieldy.
Another equally important aspect you must consider is the bat’s weight. As a rule, you want to be able to swing as evenly as possible. Your strength and endurance levels also play a factor, as swinging a heavy bat can take its toll. That said, you want a quicker swing, then maybe consider getting a lighter bat.
Finally, consider the drop of your bat. The drop refers to the difference between the bat’s length and weight for those unfamiliar with the term. You need to ensure that you look at softball bats that best fit your needs.
Grip Your Bat Properly
You may find yourself tensing up and feeling anxious as you step up to bat. It is undoubtedly a tense moment. In these moments, it is easy to over-tighten your grip as you prepare for impact. However, you need to ensure that it doesn’t get the better of you.
This is because choking your bat can prove to be your undoing. Remember that doing so can potentially lessen the power of your swing. At the same time, it may also compromise your reach and control. So, be careful not to overdo it.
Instead, stick to the fundamentals and apply pressure with your fingers. Take your top hand and place it over the bottom hand while keeping your wrists loose. This grip technique provides as much control as you need.
Try to develop a routine for stepping into the batter’s box that includes reminding yourself to relax and adjust your grip. You’ll loosen up your whole body as a result and have more power swinging through the strike zone.
Swing with Confidence and Power
If you are up against a challenging pitcher, remember that softball is as much a mental contest as it is a physical one. The last thing you want to do is let the opposing pitcher get in your head.
In these tough situations, focus on the fundamentals. Come into the batter’s box with a proper stance, feet shoulder-width apart and weight centered. This stance gives you the best opportunity to swing directly at the ball.
Ensure your bat is infused with as much power as possible by remembering to swing from your hips. When you’re being challenged at the plate, it can lead to focusing to much attention on your arms. This leads to overextending or awkwardly bending your arms, reducing the power of your swing.
If you want to swing with as much power as possible, always remember to rotate your hips and front-facing shoulder. This is exactly how boxers throw a punch – they don’t rely on the strength of their arms alone. Instead, they throw their entire weight behind the punch by rotating their hips. With proper hip rotation your swing will be smoother and you’ll punch the ball from the barrel of the bat.
Stay Vigilant and Maintain Focus
Whatever position you are playing, focus is one of the key winning factors in softball. This means knowing where the ball is at all times. While it may seem a little cliché, losing focus is one of the main causes of error.
Avoid distractions in the stands or away from the action. Stop thinking about who you want to text after the game. Be present.
If you want to win in softball, this high-level of focus and concentration needs to become second-nature to you. This is admittedly easier said than done. A poor night of sleep, a fight with a loved one, or not eating enough before the game are just a few of the potential distractions we contend with.
Focus While Batting
For instance, when you take to the field, and facing down the pitcher, it can be quite tempting for your eyes to wander. You may inadvertently steal a glance at your grip. Your eyes may also be unconsciously drawn to first base or the outfield. You must fight against these impulses and always keep your eyes fixed on the ball, especially as you prepare to take a swing.
The importance of focus also applies when you are fielding. It becomes easy to let your mind wander when you find yourself out of the action for several innings. If you aren’t focused, when the ball is hit to you, there’s a risk of being caught off guard and either letting the ball get by or making an error when fielding or throwing the ball.
Applying These Winning Factors in Softball
Practice hitting and fielding to maintain a level of skill in the game are a given. Other winning factors in softball games matter just as much. If you want to win, choosing the right bat, having the correct grip when hitting, swinging with confidence, and maintaining focus are the four key factors that contribute to winning.
