Tips for hitting Slow Pitch Softball with Power?

[DOUGSEVIER54]

Hey guys/gals, I'm in need of some advice.

I'm currently in a slow pitch city league with the company I work for. We have our first game tonight- and it should be a complete disaster. Noone really takes it seriously on our team except for me and 2 other guys. Anyway, let's cut to the chase..

I am 33 years old, and in good shape. I played Baseball from 5 y/o until I was 21(Div 1). I was always a power hitter...in baseball. However, after our first practice with this softball league I quickly realized that hitting a softball (aside from swinging the dang bat) is almost completely different. The approach (naturally), reaction, and most importantly - hitting with power.

Don't get me completely wrong here, I can hit the ball very hard. Usually just for singles, and doubles though.

When I try to elevate the ball, though, I just cannot seem to generate enough power to to clear 300'. Back in my baseball days, I would have laughed at 300'.

If you are a softball hitting guru, here is my approach..
Feet slightly farther than shoulder width apart; rear (right) elbow on an even plane with my (right) shoulder; left elbow parallel with my midsection/waist. When I'm ready to swing, I react just as I would if it were a 90 mph baseball coming in. Slight lift of my front foot as I begin my swing, and quick rotation of power? through the ball.

This is exactly how I always batted in baseball. I always hit for power back then. SO if I am using the same mechanics now, and I am stronger overall now.... why in the world can't I go yard in slow pitch softball??

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Trolls will not.:)!

[armyatc22]

If im not mistaken Softball hitting power comes from bat speed

Get that up and you will hit farther

Also the balls are not coming 90 mph...in baseball the faster they come in the faster they can leave the park. With the balls being pitched so slow your swing speed makes up for the lack of speed on the ball

[w8lifter28]

Take steroids

[hxcdavidjones]

Lift more weights! And the bat speed thing.

[DOUGSEVIER54]

If im not mistaken Softball hitting power comes from bat speed

Get that up and you will hit farther

Also the balls are not coming 90 mph...in baseball the faster they come in the faster they can leave the park. With the balls being pitched so slow your swing speed makes up for the lack of speed on the ball

This makes sense. And I have thought about it many times while taking BP. Maybe it IS as simple as getting my bat speed up. Guess I'll start working on that. I was truly hoping it was just something in my mechanics as that is an immediate adjustment I can make and (hopefully) see results instantly.

Thanks for the input.

[Nodie27]

I'm one of the smallest guys on the team and can hit for decent power. What kind of bat do you use? Single wall? Double wall? Composite? I assume you're not using shaved or modified bats, but I think the most important thing is finding the right bat. When I played baseball I had a low wide stance with little pivot. I was a singles/speed hitter. In softball though you have to change your approach. Take your time, wait until the pitch has hit it's apex, then start your swing. I went to a Bautista like leg kick but still just try to put a level swing on it. I am also almost standing upright when I swing. I know you have a fence, but what I would do is hit to Right Field or Right Center. Typically the worst fielders are there. If they shift, then you can start hitting the gaps but it's all about having control. Get a feel for the pitchers. There are all kinds of pitches, top spin back spin knuckle balls, sliders just like in baseball. Just got with the pitch and make sure you make solid contact.

Good luck!

[tajikey]

Hit up Benny Blanco, at least I think that's his name. He sells bats built to hit seeds, man, SEEDS!

[DOUGSEVIER54]

Who is this Benny Blanco you speak of!? Bring him to my attention at ONCE good sir!! AT ONCE!

[asujbl]

Y! SPORTS (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hitting-home-runs-slow-pitch-softball-getting-more-200600700--spt.html)

[DOUGSEVIER54]

I'm one of the smallest guys on the team and can hit for decent power. What kind of bat do you use? Single wall? Double wall? Composite? I assume you're not using shaved or modified bats, but I think the most important thing is finding the right bat. When I played baseball I had a low wide stance with little pivot. I was a singles/speed hitter. In softball though you have to change your approach. Take your time, wait until the pitch has hit it's apex, then start your swing. I went to a Bautista like leg kick but still just try to put a level swing on it. I am also almost standing upright when I swing. I know you have a fence, but what I would do is hit to Right Field or Right Center. Typically the worst fielders are there. If they shift, then you can start hitting the gaps but it's all about having control. Get a feel for the pitchers. There are all kinds of pitches, top spin back spin knuckle balls, sliders just like in baseball. Just got with the pitch and make sure you make solid contact.

Good luck!

I'll be perfectly honest when I say I use a "green" bat. That is the color of it and everyone on my team says it's the best bat we have. I have never questioned it haha. Single wall? Who knows! Double walls? Heh!?
Wish I could be of more help!

Thanks for the advice, though!

[Nodie27]

Who is this Benny Blanco you speak of!? Bring him to my attention at ONCE good sir!! AT ONCE!

He's got a bad mustache and is from the Bronx.

Role Models: Carlito Brigante
Occupation: Small time gangster
Hobbies: Banging waitresses
Pet Peeves: When people don't remember him.
Having to pay for dinner tabs.

[nateyad]

It's all about bat speed. I wouldn't so much worry about hitting home runs. They will coming with timing and bat speed. If you start trying to hit home runs, you will flyout or pop up a good bit. It may be perhaps that you aren't a natural pull hitter in softball. I hit about 90% of the time to right center field and I hit the ball much further to that area. It may be bad form but I occasionally will take a step up when the pitch is coming.

[Nodie27]

I'll be perfectly honest when I say I use a "green" bat. That is the color of it and everyone on my team says it's the best bat we have. I have never questioned it haha. Single wall? Who knows! Double walls? Heh!?
Wish I could be of more help!

Thanks for the advice, though!

I think if you change your stance you can add some pop. Do everything you were told not to do. Some guys even take a few steps toward the ball before they swing and take a slashing swing. It's all about timing. Hit the cages and just try to hit liners. After you get that down rear back and swing balls out. If you can maintain liners but with your ape sh** swing, you should be good to go. :D

[Cactuspies]

Hit up Benny Blanco, at least I think that's his name. He sells bats built to hit seeds, man, SEEDS!

we must share a brain! you are always stealing my thunder! el oh el (for jz)

beny b baby! he's the man on all things softball related.

here's the best I can do OP, the original thread must have been deleted:

http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/misc-buy-sell-trade/199188-softball-bats-sale-all-brands.html

http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/misc-buy-sell-trade/183128-fs-softball-bats-niw.html

[dherm360]

move your front foot in a bit and generate more power off you back leg and core, when you are on you back foot more, you will get alittle more "upswing" and drive the ball in the air---some of the best powerhitters I have seen have a HUGE front leg kick

[DOUGSEVIER54]

we must share a brain! you are always stealing my thunder! el oh el (for jz)

beny b baby! he's the man on all things softball related.

here's the best I can do OP, the original thread must have been deleted:

http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/misc-buy-sell-trade/199188-softball-bats-sale-all-brands.html

http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/misc-buy-sell-trade/183128-fs-softball-bats-niw.html

Haha Is this guy for real? The details of these "bats" are cracking me up!!

[HTTR]

Bat speed, bat speed, bat speed. So this is hard to explain but your wrists should break when your arms are extended. This will create bat speed and give you the pop you are looking for. The right bat is key, if everybody is using the same bat, that bat might be dead.

[TheFrenzy]

According to this guy, a lot of it is in the weight shift of a strong forward step.

Softball Hitting Tips "Swing Makeover Series" Strong stride=strong weight transfer&hip rotation - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMRJlZ_yh1s)

[tajikey]

we must share a brain! you are always stealing my thunder! el oh el (for jz)

beny b baby! he's the man on all things softball related.

here's the best I can do OP, the original thread must have been deleted:

http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/misc-buy-sell-trade/199188-softball-bats-sale-all-brands.html

http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/misc-buy-sell-trade/183128-fs-softball-bats-niw.html

Great minds, my friend, great minds!

Haha Is this guy for real? The details of these "bats" are cracking me up!!

Ha ha ha. You should have seen the thread that probably got deleted. OMG, what a tool Benny B was/is.

To answer your question in the OP with a relative level of seriousness, I don't know. I've never been one to hit for power. I typically drive the ball into the ground toward third base and just beat the throw to 1B with my speed.

[Gibberish]

Noone really takes it seriously on our team except for me and 2 other guys

uMfqbR8Ujlk

[55lincecumfan55]

Try this it works:


1. Make sure the top of your bat is in your finger tips.

2. stay back on the ball.

3. When the ball comes in swinging distance make sure you turn your hips as hard as you can and generate as much swing speed as you can.

[btimm]

Everyone is different I am sure, but one thing that really helped me was to really shorten my swing. Helped more with timing than power really. But I used to try and swing like Griffey did, but now go for more of a Pujols type swing. Maybe you need to shorten your swing to get your timing down?

As already stated, the bat makes a huge difference. They have a shelf life and if the bat is dead, you'll be hard-pressed to hit anything out regardless.

[Abracadaver]

Get your hips through the ball. Explode as hard as you can. "Punch" the ball with your top hand. Timing is obviously a huge part of it. Stay back and explode. As far as what I do, I start early and since I'm right handed I punch through the ball so to say. A lot of good things said in this thread. With me i was a baseball player and my first year playing softball was bad because of the timing factor.