Jul 25, 2019  Softball Pitching How To: Slow Pitch Softball Pitching Techniques, Instructions and lessons are not easy to find. This channel is dedicated to Softball Pitching How To, that's it. For those who pitch or want to pitch in slowpitch softball, this is a how to guide. From Beer League Softball to Competitive Softball this should cover the tips and tricks that will help you be successful at Softball Pitching at any level.

• Slow Pitch Softball Regulations
• Slow Pitch Softball Pitching Strategy Chart
• Slow Pitch Softball Pitching Techniques

Slow-pitch softball is a game noted for big hits and high scores. The common perception is that pitchers lob the ball over the plate and that the defense will do the job and hold the batter to a single or double. However, a good slow-pitch pitcher will use the batter's aggressiveness against him and find a way to get a great hitter out in a crucial situation. It's not about shutting opponents out and dominating a lineup. It's about getting batters out at the key moments.

Throw Strikes Early

If you want to have a chance to slow down a high-powered offense from lighting up the scoreboard, you have to get ahead in the count. Getting a 1-2 or 0-2 count puts you in charge and may take away some of the batter's aggressiveness. If you fall behind, the hitter will zone in on the pitch he wants to see and unload on it. When you get ahead, he has to work to put the ball in play and the anxiety level goes up. When he's thinking about getting his bat on the ball and not embarrassing himself by hitting a weak popup, he's not going to be at his best.

Throw to the Mat

When you are pitching in slow-pitch softball, you are not trying to throw the ball over the plate between the batter's knees and arm pits. You are trying to hit the mat in back of the plate. That is what the umpire bases his strike calls on. You can't throw it higher than 12 feet, but you can flirt with that height and make it a difficult pitch for the batter to hit.

Making Plays in the Field

A pitcher in slow-pitch softball must be an excellent fielder. As soon as you let go of your pitch, you must drop back four or five steps and become an extra infielder. There's a wide area up the middle between your second baseman and shortstop. You have to be responsible for that spot on the field. Since you are throwing high arcing pitches, you will have the opportunity to get back to the position and make plays.

Slow Pitch Softball Regulations

Learn a Variety of Pitches

The more pitches you have in your arsenal, the better pitcher you'll be. Learn to throw a straight pitch, which is basically a pitch where there is no movement of the ball. Use a slider pitch to make the ball curve to the left or right at the end of the pitch. If you are a right-handed pitcher, the ball will curve off to the left and vice versa if you are a left-handed pitcher. Learn to throw a curve ball, which curves in the opposite direction of a slider. Develop a spin ball. Depending on how you release the ball, you can put a forward or backward spin on the ball. Mixing up your pitches will keep the batter guessing.

Slow-pitch softball is one of the most popular recreational sports in the United States. It is played in many recreational and competitive leagues. It's largely a hitter's game because players use bigger bats to make contact with a bigger ball and home run sluggers tend to dominate. However, smart pitchers can use a hitter's aggressiveness against him by keeping the ball just slightly out of the prime hitting zones.

Floater

This is the basic pitch that is used by most pitchers in the slow-pitch game. Use the floater to get strike one when you have a hitter whom you believe will take the first pitch. Also use it when the count is 3-and-2 and you want to avoid the walk. To throw the floater accurately, hold the ball with just your fingertips and do not let them touch the laces. Come straight up with your hand and let the ball go up to the 12-foot mark and come down.

Slider

Throw the slider in slow-pitch softball when the hitter may decide to swing at the last minute and not hit with authority. Put your thumb on the curving 'U' part of the stitching. Place your middle and forefingers along the underside of the 'U.' When your bring your arm forward, flip your wrist in a counterclockwise manner. If you are a right-handed pitcher, your pitch will slide away from a right-handed batter. The pitch only moves a few inches, but the break should come late enough to cause problems for the batter.

Backspin Technique

This is the pitch to throw when there are runners on base and an explosive power hitter is up who struggles when it comes to running. By throwing the ball with the back part of your wrist facing home plate as you let the ball go, you will create a backspin on the ball. If the hitter does not time it correctly and you can get it to drop just before it reaches home plate, the hitter likely will smash the ball on the ground and you will have an excellent chance at racking up a double play.

Slow Pitch Softball Pitching Strategy Chart

Slow Pitch Softball Pitching Techniques

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