How to Hit a Softball Like a Pro

How to Hit a Softball Like a Pro

One of the proven rules of softball is: if you can hit, you will play. Even pitchers will get cracks at the plate if they show they can hit. Players at all softball positions can improve their batting average with a good swing. Here are the four stages of a pro softball swing with tips from the experts.

1. Bat Grip

Let's start with how to hold a softball bat. You should grip the bat with your fingers and avoid letting it slide back into the palm. Take a batting glove and draw a line across it from the index finger down to show the "grip line." You'll want to grip loosely so your wrists remain flexible - if your knuckles are white, you're holding too tight.

2. Hand & Arm Position

Right-handed hitters should have their left hand on the bottom, controlling the bat. The right hand should be on top, loosely supporting the bat. (Switch hands if you're a left-handed hitter.) In your batting stance, your body should be level and square to the plate, and the hands should start 3-4 inches in front of the chest. The bat should be held over the back shoulder at about a 45-degree angle. Keep your elbows down and your front elbow at about a 90-degree angle.

3. Softball Swing Technique

As the pitcher releases the ball, shift your weight to the back foot and lift the front foot. Then push off the ball of the back foot and step forward slightly while turning the front toes out. This will cause the back knee to move in and the hips to start rotating forward.

While keeping the head and eyes still, move the bat knob toward the ball. Keep the bat head above the hands and maintain a 90-degree angle with the front arm. Continue rotating the hips, point the front elbow at the pitcher and swing the arms over the plate until the bat is pointing straight back.

4. Contact & Follow-Through

When you contact the ball, both arms should be bent close to 90 degrees. The optimal contact spot depends on the pitch location:

  • Down the Middle - Directly opposite the front hip.
  • Inside Pitch - In front of the body. The hips need to open earlier since contact will be sooner.
  • Outside Pitch - Between the center and back of the hips. Wait and keep the hips closed until contact.

Allow the arms to extend and the wrists to roll over as you complete the swing. Your hands should end near the front shoulder with the chin on the back shoulder, and the back hip, shoulder and knee should be aligned.

How to Hit for More Power in Softball

In addition to a good swing, functional strength increases bat speed, which means hitting softballs harder and farther. Work on strengthening the upper body along with the hands, forearms, glutes, core, hips and hamstrings.

Fine-tune your swing anytime with softball hitting equipment from Bownet®. From the classic Big Mouth X® hitting net to hitting tees, practice softballs and batting gloves, we have everything you need to #TrainLikeAPro.