How to Be a Better Softball Player

Co-authored by Haley Snyder and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: June 29, 2021 References Approved

Improving your skills to become a better softball player requires practice, focus and continued learning. It's also about maintaining a good attitude towards your coach, team, and losses.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:
Understanding the Game

1
Know what the game is about.
- Softball is a game of repetition and mental toughness. To become better, it's practice, practice, practice.^{[1]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Haley Snyder
  Softball Player
  Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.}
- Softball is all about the rules. Make sure you know the rules, because with knowing the rules, the steps of becoming a better softball player will be much easier.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:
Improving Your Game Skills

1
Improve your grip. Get used to keeping a firm grip on the ball, enclosing it tightly in your glove. The softball itself is a lot bigger than a baseball. If you do not hold the ball tightly, it will fall out of your glove.^{[2]
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Research source}

Determining Your Position

1
Focus on one main position, when you are starting. Be comfortable with this before going on to switch between positions.^{[3]
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- If you have a long throw, your best options are first base and third base, along with catcher.
- If your throw is short, shortstop is your calling.
- If you can catch and have a good arm, catcher is your position.
- If you can run fast and catch, along with a good arm, the outfield should be on your mind.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:
Improving Pitching Skills

1
Get assistance with learning to pitch well. Pitching is something that should be coached, along with trying it on your own. If you show interest, bring it up to a coach and work with a pitcher and try to get lessons.
2
Keep control of your pitching arm. When pitching, don't swing your arm like crazy. Swing your arm in a quick circle but only after you learn how to control the pitch. If you are just starting out, don't try any fancy stuff. Just pitch and keep in mind at all times that your release point is at the base of your hip.^{[4]
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Research source}
- When you are throwing the ball snap it off the end of your fingers. It will give the ball speed and you can throw farther.
- When pitching, don't focus on speed; focus on accuracy.

Learning to Bat Correctly

1
Explore your batting style. Batting is very important in both baseball and softball. There are many techniques that work for individual batters. There is not one big universal approach, although they all are alike.
2
Use a good stance in batting. Make sure your stance is shoulder-length apart to get a steady base along with your knees bent. Keep your arms behind your shoulder.^{[5]
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- You should be driving your hands and elbow to the ball and coming along with a full follow through.
- Keep your head down at the ball. Bringing your head up can cause a complete change in your batting.
- If you need a confidence boost, put your hand up and step out of the box before the pitcher throws. Then you can take a deep breath and focus on your swing, and watch the other players for a second, and get back in the box.
3
Grip firmly. When you bat, grip the bat firmly. Wear batting gloves, so that if you hit it at the end of the bat or too close to your fingers, it won't sting.
- When you are batting, keep your eye on the pitcher's hip. This is her release point. When she lets go of the ball, this is where it's coming out, so you will automatically have your eye on the ball to hit it.
4
Swing hard and deliberately, with your eyes on the ball. The softball needs to be hit hard. Have an attitude when you step up to the plate. It's softball, for crying out loud, not a beauty pageant. Get spittle mad, but not too mad that it's unsportsmanlike.
- Always follow through with your swing. If you stop the bat at the point of collision, you've actually had to slow the bat significantly before ever reaching the ball, which takes a lot of power out of your swing.^{[6]
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  Research source}
- Repetition helps you improve as a hitter. The more repetitions you get, the less you're going to have to think about on game day. You want batting to become muscle memory since softball is such a quick sport.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Haley Snyder
  Softball Player
  Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.}

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:
Practicing Regularly

1
Practice at home, as often as you can. Go the extra mile, you will see great improvement.^{[8]
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- Just throwing for 15 minutes a day with a partner(s) will have such a large improvement on your skill level.
- Along with throwing, bat as often as you can.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Haley Snyder
  Softball Player
  Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.} Many professional players still use tees. Use a tee against a wall, fence, net, etc. Just make sure you're getting hitting time as often as possible.
- If you're an infielder, practice plenty of different scenarios. For example, taking a ground ball and throwing it to your left and restoring it to your right is going to require different footwork.^{[10]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Haley Snyder
  Softball Player
  Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.}
- Repetitions can help with overall conditioning. You might do a conditioning or weightlifting practice, work on your throws, and then work on your swings.^{[11]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Haley Snyder
  Softball Player
  Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.}

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:
Increasing Comfort and Confidence Levels

1
Keep your hair up in a braid or ponytail so it's off your neck. You will get hot if it's not.
2
Remain mentally tough. You need to have confidence on the field. Keep a positive attitude. Above, softball is mentioned as being a mental game. You cannot give the other team your mind.
- Make sure you vision yourself doing whatever you do in a game.
- Take a deep breath and do not get stressed over one mistake, because one can turn into six, and so on.
- Concentrate, no matter who is watching or what someone is saying.
- Recognize what your error is when your not pitching or playing well. The faster you recognize and fix your errors without stressing out over them, the better you will become. (as long as you practice frequently)
3
Stay strong and never give up. No matter what, don't lose your confidence. You will have bad days, games, pitches, and moods. None of those are a reason to forget all the good days, good games, good pitches and great moods! Try to stay even keel and see losses as learning experiences to help you improve.
- Get comfortable playing when you're tired. When it's late in a game, you don't your mechanics to break down.^{[12]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Haley Snyder
  Softball Player
  Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.}

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:
Getting Your Coach to Notice You

1
Ask and learn. If you don't know how to do something, ask a coach or a team member. Your coach will help if you ask but will likely be really annoyed if you assume to know everything but are just making it up as you go.
- When coaches try to talk to you, let them. They may teach you something that could help out a lot. They'll certainly notice if you're unwilling to listen and learn; that can be a sign of being a poor team player.
2
Be ready to play. Right when you step on the softball field, it is game time! Hustle on and off of the field.
3
Keep a positive attitude.^{[13]
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Research source} Having a positive or negative attitude will affect you, the team and your coach. By staying positive, even when the chips are down, you are contributing positively to your team.
- If the coaches see you working really hard, they will have a positive attitude about you.
- If you see someone else down, cheer them up and be someone that people look up to.
4
Don't strike out looking for the perfect pitch! At least get your three cuts in, and swing the bat.

Community Q&A

Question

What is a good exercise for softball players?

Haley Snyder
Softball Player
Haley Snyder is a former Division I Student-Athlete and Softball Player. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in softball mechanics, fundamentals, and pitching. Haley holds a BA and MA from Stanford University, where she competed in the PAC-12 Conference as a pitcher.

Haley Snyder

Softball Player

Expert Answer

Practice playing softball when you're already worn out. For instance, you might lift some weights or do conditioning reps before practicing your swings and throws.
Question

How can I be a good infielder in softball?

Haley Snyder
Softball Player
Haley Snyder is a former Division I Student-Athlete and Softball Player. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in softball mechanics, fundamentals, and pitching. Haley holds a BA and MA from Stanford University, where she competed in the PAC-12 Conference as a pitcher.

Haley Snyder

Softball Player

Expert Answer

Practice a variety of situations, like catching and throwing ground balls. For instance, sending a ground ball to your left and restoring it to your right demand different types of footwork.
Question

How can I hit better in softball?

Haley Snyder
Softball Player
Haley Snyder is a former Division I Student-Athlete and Softball Player. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in softball mechanics, fundamentals, and pitching. Haley holds a BA and MA from Stanford University, where she competed in the PAC-12 Conference as a pitcher.

Haley Snyder

Softball Player

Expert Answer

Get plenty of practice time in. The more repetitions you do, the less you'll have to think about when game day arrives. Ultimately, you want your hitting skills to be rooted in muscle memory.
Question

How can I be better at softball?

Community Answer

Keep pushing yourself. Don't take a day off because know that someone else out there Is practicing for your spot. Don't forget to remember why you started to play in the first place. Don't lose your love for the game.
Question

Do I need to get a new glove every year?

Community Answer

No. In most cases, the more worn out your glove is, the easier it is to catch and have a grip on the ball.
Question

How should I practice if I want to try out for my school team?

Community Answer

Practice throwing, catching, and sliding, and try to increase your running speed.
Question

How do I gain more confidence and stay positive? I always want to cry when I get out.

Donagan

Top Answerer

Remember that every hitter - even the best in the world - is put out more than half the time.
Question

How long should I practice for?

Community Answer

You should practice until you feel like what you wanted to work on has been achieved. Practicing with friends is also helpful if you want some feedback.
Question

How can I improve enough to hit a home run all the time?

Community Answer

One of the mistakes many players make is trying to kill the ball which usually results in a strikeout. To hit a home run you have to drive the ball with your arms. It also helps to turn your hips when swinging so you will drive the ball to the outfield with your whole body.
Question

How do I make my throws more accurate?

Community Answer

Try setting up a target in your backyard or local park. Keep your eye on your target when throwing, and your eye on the ball when catching. Learn how far you can throw the ball. Distance and speed is also important with accuracy.

Warnings

Do not be afraid of the ball. Keep your eye on it. YOU have to want the ball!

Thanks!
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0

If a pitcher is repeatedly throwing inside to you, it's usually to make you back out away from the plate. You have to remember to stay inside the batters box, stay in there.

Don't argue with the umpire. He may not like your attitude and be tougher on you.

Thanks!
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
You will not always win. Part of being a softball player is being able to take a loss without sobbing. Learn from your errors in the game, and fix them.

Thanks!
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1