Slow Pitch Softball Swing Mechanics - Part I : Stance

Your stance is the "ready" position that sets the table for the entire swing. Every player has his/her own stance - open, closed, up or back in the box, feet close together or wide, etc. The most important coaching point about stance is not about exactly how you stand in the box. Rather, we're looking to achieve two goals with our stance: sharpen the mental focus and build a solid and balanced base with the lower half.

The Mental Edge - Taking Control of Your At-Bat
When you walk from the on-deck circle to take your stance in the box, the first task is to take control of the at-bat. Before you set a foot in the batter's box, make sure you are 100% focused. Remove any distractions from your mind then picture yourself executing a perfect swing. Now reach out with the bat in your forward hand until you can touch the outside corner of the plate, then set the back foot in the box. The pitcher cannot pitch until you have both feet set in the batter's box, so by only placing the back foot you have taken control of the at-bat. Keep that control - this is YOUR at-bat.

Building a Pyramid - The Foundation of Your Swing
Now set your front foot so that you are square to home plate and both feet are just outside the hips (slightly wider than shoulder-width). Once your stance is set, your entire body should be perfectly balanced. Think about your lower body as a pyramid with your feet forming the base and the abdominals at the top. Hold weight in your back foot - about a 60/40 distribution. You want to be strong and solid in the lower body while maitaining a calm and relaxed upper body. Rest the bat on your shoulder, relaxing the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. Once you come set in the box, raise your hands about 3-4 inches behind your ear while keeping the arms and elbows relaxed. Turn your head to the pitcher and focus BOTH eyes on the ball. Slightly rest your chin on your shoulder - this is a great key and reminder to keep the front shoulder from flying out during the swing.

Now you are ready to receive the pitch. Keep the weight on the back foot, the lower half solid, upper half relaxed, both eyes AND the mind focused on the ball.

Here's a great video by Eric Herrera demonstrating a solid stance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh2BwTFZTWk. It's baseball focused, but the fundamentals and mechanics also work for slow pitch softball.

Stay tuned for my next post when I'll teach you proper Stride.

Play Hard!
Coach Brian

Slow Pitch Softball Hitting Tip #1 - See the Ball

Anytime I talk to a coach or successful baseball/slow pitch softball player, I always ask for their best, simplest piece of advice on becoming a better hitter. Almost without exception, everyone I ask talks about the importance of seeing the ball. Seeing the ball with both eyes - watching it from the pitcher's hand through bat contact, is the most important and simplest mechanic to hitting. Teaching yourself to key both eyes on the softball will make you a better hitter instantly!

Here's a simple drill you can perform from a tee, in the cages, and especially during the game:

As soon as you get set and relaxed in the box, tell yourself "see the ball" and focus your eyes on the softball. Track the ball as the pitcher backs in the windup, and follow the ball's arc with both eyes. Try to focus on the writing or the seams - really hawk in on that ball. Watch THROUGH bat contact - keep the head down and eyes on the ball all the way through your swing. You'll be suprised how often we pull the eyes out or even close them during our swing!