In slowpitch softball, the most crucial part of playing this sport is hitting the ball. And if you’re a beginner, you’ll want to use rolled slowpitch softball bats to help with your hitting technique.
Often considered mistakenly as a game suited only for professional players, slowpitch softball is a fun and exciting game that’s suitable for regular people of all ages. It’s important to note, though, that it takes skill to hit the ball with great technique and substantial power.
Even if you’re just a beginner, there’s no need to dampen your spirit. Every professional player out there started as a beginner just like you. The secret lies in practicing consistently and using the right equipment such as rolled slowpitch softball bats to ensure an improvement in your hitting skill.
Use the Right Bat
There are two vital elements in slowpitch softball – the ball and the bat. With this in mind, you’ll want to choose the right rolled bat that is neither too heavy nor too long for you. You must be able to swing it comfortably with great control and grip.
A good bat usually consists of carbon, wood, and aluminum and can hit balls with great power to reach long distances. With rolled slowpitch softball bats, however, the bat speed is much faster and the ball travels farther.
Correct Your Grip
An essential aspect of playing softball lies within the grip. Therefore, you need to get the correct grip when holding rolled slowpitch softball bats.
The first thing to note is that a bat has calluses indicating the area where you should grip it. Hold it as close to the handle as possible, for excellent control and a better hit.
If you’re right-handed, your right hand must be on top of the left hand used to control the bat. For a left-handed batter, it will be the other way around. The left hand is placed above the right and will loosely support the bat.
Have Confidence in Hitting the Ball
As with any endeavor, you must keep your eyes on the goal – in softball, it would be the ball. The best approach is to have a better awareness of the strike zone.
The following steps will ensure that you’ll have confidence in every hit:
1. Warm Your Muscles up Before Any Game
You need to warm up your muscles before any game by taking several swings. Practicing your techniques helps in swinging rolled bats more efficiently and controlling the speed of the bat with ease. Steer clear of any people before practicing your hard swings to make sure you don’t accidentally hit anyone when you swing all the way.
2. A Comfortable Stance is Essential
Once in the batter box, position yourself strategically. You can stand parallel to the home plate similar to how most players do. You should adjust your position so that you’ll have ample room to hit the ball whether inside or outside the plate.
An important tip is to check your bat and measure it with the middle of the home plate. However, you want to position yourself in the batter’s box, make sure that you step into it confidently and that you feel comfortable for the duration of your bat.
3. Take a Swing or Two in the Batter’s Box
Before the actual bat, take a single or two swings as soon as you step into the batter’s box. In doing so, you can make sure that your swing will be covering the home plate. Hold up your hand to signal that you need a few seconds to get ready while you’re adjusting your stance.
4. Focus on the Ball
When you keep your eyes on the ball, you’ll be able to quickly tell if you can hit the pitch well or not. Make sure not to swing at a pitch that’s outside of the strike zone as it will more often than not be a failed attempt.
Start Improving Your Hits
Remember not to use your shaved bat outside if it’s 65 degrees or colder because shaved bats don’t perform well in cold temperatures. Otherwise, keep practicing to improve your hitting performance and techniques using rolled and shaved slowpitch softball bats. In just a few weeks or months, you won’t have to sit out every game anymore because your coach will get you in the base as much as he can.