Fastpitch Softball Pitching Takes a Lot of Work

Fastpitch Softball Pitching Takes a Lot of Work
By guest author: Gregory Covey

Fastpitch softball pitching is much harder than people think. Proper mechanics will make all the difference in the world for accuracy and speed. It must be a natural motion.

My daughter has been a softball pitcher since she first began the game. She has progressed each year but it has not come without a lot of time and effort.

When I talk about mechanics I am speaking about the motion the softball pitcher will go through as they deliver the ball to the plate.

There are some different beliefs as to which motion works best but I will speak to the one she uses since I believe it has worked very well for her, while at the same time not doing any harm to her back, arm, or shoulder since she has been softball pitching.

I am speaking from the perspective of a right handed softball pitcher, since that is what she is.

The first and most important thing is to stand almost straight up with your right foot on the mound and the left foot just behind the mound.

Your left foot big toe should be at the heel of the right foot at shoulder width apart.

This particular element of the softball pitching delivery will save on your daughters back. Many softball pitchers will lean way forward as they prepare to deliver the softball. The pitcher should have their nose just behind their hip. Leaning forward does not help with speed or accuracy. It is simply a bad habit that needs to be corrected.

One law of physics is that any action will have an equal or opposite reaction.

So every motion that your daughter has in her delivery needs to be evaluated so that you are not making unnecessary motions.

The next motion should be to present the ball to the batter. This is in the ASA Softball rules.

Next she raises her hands together with the right hand holding the ball inside the glove hand as if she is praying. They are now up against her chest together.

Then she moves her arms straight out still holding the ball inside the glove hand. The hands are straight out in front at shoulder height. A good way to tell if she is doing this correctly is that it should be blocking her view of the batter and catcher. Read more.

================
Thanks to our sponsors:

Check out these coaching articles at the Softball Coaching Digest:
SoftballCoachingDigest.com
• Articles from the Youth Softball Coaching Clinic Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Pitchers Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Hitters Blog
• Articles from the Tips for Fastpitch Softball Coaches Blog
• The Fastpitch Softball Training Equipment Blog

Softball Pitcher's Favorite Color - Blue?

"Practice Pitch" Softball Trainer at SoftballrUs.com

Softball Pitching Tips
By Brad Henks

That may be my favorite color but it may not be a fastpitch softball pitcher's favorite color. After all, that's the color of the umpire uniform. You know, we all call them "hey blue".

As a softball pitcher you need to at least try to make the umpire think that is your favorite color. You definitely don't ever want to put an umpire on display in front of the whole ball park by letting her know you are upset about a pitch call. Just put the ball back in your fastpitch glove and head back to the circle.

Fastpitch softball pitching requires you to cleverly use your mind as well as your body when a questionable pitch call comes into play. Don't glare at them for several seconds or stomp around the mound between pitches.

Umpires are people just like we are. They are out there doing a job to allow us to play this game. You wouldn't like to be shown up in front of the whole crowd now would you?

If you use bad judgement and glare down the umpire you will likely not get any more close strikes called the rest of the day. Treat your umpire with respect. If you think the call was bad, give him a very quick glance and then turn away. Don't stare, make it only about a half second or less. Just long enough for her to know you didn't like that call.

Another way is to politely ask where that pitch was. Wait until the play is over, politely ask "hey blue - where did I miss on that pitch?" Then tell him Thanks. You have to be very polite or it could come out sounding like you are chastising the umpire. You don't want that.

Remember, as a fastpitch softball pitcher you are trying to Not put the softball over the plate anyway, just close enough to make it look like a strike. So maybe that pitch was close but not quite close enough in the umpire's view. Tell yourself that you will get the next one and go on.

As mentioned above, umpires are out on the fastpitch softball field doing a job that allows you to pitch softball. So be greateful. Be sure to tell the umpire if you think he made a good call in the field. Maybe it was a close call sliding under the third base glove. Those are tough calls, let the umpires know you appreciate the job he is doing. Politics in fastpitch softball can be a good thing.

We have all seen the prima donna pitcher that misses outside and stomps around, cusses and raises her arms in disgust. Don't be that pitcher.

Be the fastpitch softball pitcher that the umpire respects. She will tell other coaches and umpires about you. What she tells about you is determined by your actions. Give the umpire good stories to tell about you.

Make Blue your new favorite color!

Talk about Fastpitch Softball over at http://FastpitchSoftballTalk.blogspot.com/

The author is a fastpitch softball enthusiast and has been involved in fastpitch softball and baseball for 20 years as a parent and coach. For more information please visit http://www.BuyFastpitchGloves.com for some of the best fastpitch softball gloves and related accessories.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_Henks

===Advertisement from our sponsor:=====
Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.

The Categories they have are: BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!