Five Pieces of Advice for New Slowpitch Softball Players

            For most people, their competitive years of baseball and softball end after high school, and for everybody else after college. Afterward, many former players still yearn for the sport and thus slowpitch softball has become an immensely popular activity and is enjoyed by tons of community members across the country every spring, summer, and fall. It’s estimated that around 70 percent of all softball games played yearly are slowpitch and it’s easy to see why due to the inclusive nature of the sport. It truly appeals to everyone looking for new opportunities to increase their activity and exercising habits. Also, it offers people looking to expand their social circle a chance to meet new people with compatible likes and interests. Furthermore, it’s not just former athletes who benefit; co-ed leagues offer families a chance to play together and enter a new family friendly activity into their weekly repertoire. So, if you’re one of the many interested in picking up this popular activity here is our advice to new players of slowpitch softball.

• Take Some Batting Practice

One of the more difficult things about making the transition to slowpitch softball for former baseball players is adjusting to the new speed and strike zone. For players used to beginning their swing basically as soon as the ball is thrown, waiting a good two seconds is challenging and leads to foul balls and poor contact off the top of the bat. Also, due to the downward fall of the ball it is in the zone for a shorter time leading to pop ups and weak ground balls. The best way to adjust to these differences is with practice. Find a local batting cage or better yet get a few friends together and take some live BP.

• Get a Bigger Glove

Baseballs have a 9” circumference while some slowpitch leagues use balls as big as 14”. This is of course an even bigger difference for former baseball players who, like the softball players, are most likely using their old gloves. But simply put, your old glove may be too small and thus cause problems for you in the field. This is especially true for people wanting to use old infield gloves that are typically smaller than those used by outfielders.

• If you Pitch, get into the Habit of Playing Defense

Suppose you find yourself on the pitcher’s mound, don’t fall into the trap many players do and forget to play defense. All too often the pitcher tosses the ball and then lackadaisically stands in place. It’s better for your performance, and more importantly, your safety to create the habit of assuming an athletic stance immediately after your pitch. From time to time someone will rocket a ball right back up the middle and it’s best to be prepared.

• Don’t be Afraid to Hit like a Team Player

A lot of players play slowpitch softball just to hit homeruns. Just like in fastpitch though, this is a recipe for frequently flying out. Not to mention that many leagues implement homerun limiting rules that give teams only a certain number they can hit per game that should be saved for crucial moments. Developing the ability to get base hits and place the ball will surely improve your stock on the team. 

• Pay Attention to Your Opponents

There is a lot of shifting that goes on in a slowpitch softball game. Each league is like a close community and over time players learn each hitter’s pulling or pushing habits. The smaller size of the slowpitch fields reduce defender reaction times and being better at anticipating the next play will take you a long way.