Month: August 2018

4 Tips for Beginning Softball Pitchers

Learning to pitch in fastpitch softball can be tricky, but D-BAT Sports – the premier softball training facility in the country – has a few tips for how to get started!

Focus on the Fastball 

There are 2 different ways to throw a softball fastpitch – four-seam fastball and two-seam fastball – but as a beginner, the only thing you need to worry about is the four-seam fastpitch. The grip of the ball is critical to the proper release. Place your middle 3 fingers so that the tips are touching the top of the seams on a “C,” pull your thumb back behind the ball, and then rest your pinky on the side or wherever is comfortable. It’s also important that you get in the habit of cupping the ball loosely with your tips for optimum spin.

Foot Placement is Key

When pitching in fastpitch softball, it is important to keep the right stance. Keep your stance about shoulder width apart, and then get your feet set on the rubber. If you are a right-handed pitcher, your forward foot will be on your right side. That foot should be sitting in the center of the rubber, while the toes on your left foot (opposite foot) should be slightly back and just touching the rubber – but not crossing it.

Know Your Power Line

The power line is the line between the catcher and the mound. You want your pitching motion to both start and stop on the power line in order to keep your body square and heading in the right direction. The goal is to make your stride leg land on the power line every time, with the toes at a 45-90 degree angle (closer to 90 for beginners).

Focus on X-Position 

The X-Position is a proper way to start each fastpitch softball throw. It’s called the X-Position because both arms are in the air, feet are on the power line, and you’re ready to go to work.

Becoming a great fastpitch softball pitcher doesn’t happen overnight, and the goal in the beginning should be to focus on mechanics – not strikes. The strikes will come if the mechanics are right! Call D-BAT Sports today to schedule one-on-one fastpitch softball pitching instruction with one of our expertly trained softball coaches! Check and see if you are near one of our 55+ locations!

Coaching Advice: How to Get a Baseball Hitter Out of a Slump

It can happen to the best of players.

You know they can hit, but for some reason, their hitting percentages have tanked. It’s called a slump, and there are things you can do as a coach to help evaluate the situation and take the player to the next level. Here are 3 recommendations from D-BAT Sports on what to do if you notice a baseball hitter is in a slump:

Record Game Time At-Bats

Players often look differently when batting in practice and when batting in a game time situation. Ask a parent or assistant coach to record the player in the game and then take time to analyze their at-bat. Is there an issue with their batting mechanics? Is their confidence lacking? A lack of confidence is the #1 reason for a batting slump. Determine some corrective measures that can be taken to correct and improve their batting average.

Practice More

Once you’ve identified some areas in need of improvement, take time out of practice to work one-on-one with the player in need of a little extra batting practice. If your practice is an hour, maybe take 15 minutes to work with them while another coach works drills with the rest of the team, or take some time after practice.

Set Goals

When talking with the player, start by offering praise for what they are doing well, sandwich in areas of improvement, followed by advice on how to make that improvement happen. Make sure the player understands their goals and objectives for improvement in the next game and that you will follow up with them on those goals. In a hitting slump, it’s a good idea to focus on making contact with the ball, swinging hard, and looking for good pitches only vs. focusing on hits period. The hits will come if the mechanics and proper batting practices are there.

In a slump now? Find the D-BAT location closest to you! D-BAT Sports is the #1 baseball training facility in the country with state-of-the-art batting cages open year round. Call today to schedule a little extra batting practice for your baseball player or team! Don’t forget to pick up some gear from the D-BAT location you visit. If you aren’t near a location, visit dbatsports.com and order today!