Competitive softball is a game dominated by outstanding pitching. Many pitchers can throw the ball at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, which is comparable to a baseball pitched at 100 m.p.h. Additionally, pitchers can throw risers, drops, curves and changes of pace. Softball games are often decided by 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 scores, so pitchers have to master the basics quickly to be effective.
Pitching Technique
It takes some doing to have the right technique when pitching. Though the windmill technique is impressive, one of the keys to becoming a good softball pitcher is using your legs to provide power. That means making sure you push off the pitching rubber in the middle of the pitching circle to give your pitch power. Use your lower body to push off the rubber, then bring your arm forward. When your lower body and upper body work together, you have a much better chance of becoming an effective pitcher.
Work the Hitting Zone
It’s not about trying to overpower the hitters. Even if you have a great fastball, you will quickly learn that hitters catch up to great fastballs thrown over the middle of the plate. Instead, you have to think along with the hitter and work the ball to the inside corner, the outside corner, upper part of the strike zone and the lower part of the strike zone. When you are ahead in the count, throw pitches that appear to be headed toward the strike zone and instead dive or rise out of the zone. Take advantage of your situation when you are ahead in the count, and make the hitter hit your pitch.
Field Your Position
A good softball pitcher has to be able to field her position successfully. Many games are low-scoring, so opponents are likely to bunt to advance the runners on a regular basis. As a result, pitchers have to be able to come in quickly, field the ball and make a play. Pitchers also have to field hard-hit balls regularly and become a fifth infielder. This will help you stay in the game longer and give your team a better chance of winning.
About this Author
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Football — The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.
