There comes a time in every athlete’s life, they have to admit that reflexes aren’t what they used to be, energy level is reduced and muscles are sore after a workout, which at one point was more of a warm up activity. It’s hard to admit, but he’s past his prime and he can no longer compete with the youngsters.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t satisfy that urge to compete like a weekend warrior and enjoy the camaraderie of your teammates, both male and female, while sipping on your favorite beverage. The Slow Pitch Softball game may be your answer to all your problems.
Slowpitch, “50+,” co-ed, and various other divisions exist in every town and city in every state and are played primarily on weekends, in case players need to recuperate before returning to play. I work on Monday.
The game is more or less identical to baseball, with a few variations, and the slow speed and large size of the pitched ball make it extremely easy to hit, but this is not always the case. Most former fast pitch baseball and softball players have a different swing than the slow pitch requires, and it can be quite frustrating when you hit a slow ground ball after taking a powerful swing.
To hit well at slow pitch softball, you must modify your swing. Here are some tips to help you develop a good swing for the game.
1. Softball bats are different in shape and length from baseball bats, both in the handle and in the size of the barrel. Choosing the right bat is, of course, quite important, but the general rule of thumb is to “pick the biggest bat that you can still hit comfortably.” If a 34″ bat feels good, but you could go 35″ just fine, go 35″.
2. Most players will grip the bat by the bottom against the knob to create the most power. If drowning a little feels better for you, go for it. Remember, identical to baseball, the speed of the swing is more important to power than the weight of the bat.
3. The ideal softball swing is from a chop or level swing to a slightly overcut, which gives the ball a lift in the air, which is what power hitters want. This takes practice because there’s a fine line between hitting a towering home run and a high fly ball in the infield. A level swing will produce lines and ground balls, which are ideal for hitters with less muscular strength.
4. Keep your head level and your eyes on the ball. This is nothing new to former ballplayers, however the flight and arc of the pitch is totally different than a baseball or fastpitch. It is quite natural for a player to jerk his head, taking his eyes off the target, while turning powerfully towards the “balloon” approaching them. This results in hitting the little dribblers right back at the pitcher.
5. Patience, patience and patience. Once again, baseball and fast pitchers were given a fraction of a second to determine if they would swing due to the speed with which the ball was arriving. Watching and waiting for a high pitched ball, which will spin backwards if thrown correctly, to reach you can seem like an eternity. Controlling the impulse to hit too early can be a monumental task for a normally anxious hitter.
These 5 tips, while not devastating, will make you a much better hitter at slow pitch softball. Practice these tips with the same work ethic you’ve always used and you’ll be a star player again, no matter how old he is.