Module 2 Softball

Chapter 2.8 BASIC SKILLS NO. 2

Intended Learning Outcomes: At the end of this chapter, the students are expected to:

1. Identify the different basic skill for softball

2. Execute the basic skills Position Play, Batting & Fielding
3. Perform the basic skills in Position Play, Batting & Fielding

2.8.1 Introduction

Softball position play, batting & fielding are the most important skill in the game of
softball, as the players can dominate as no other player is able to do. Softball is usually a
low scoring game in which only one or two runs are scored during the entire game,
often due to the dominance of a highly skill pitching throwing & catching. Players
require several years to perfect their technique and gain control over the speed and
direction of their position play, batting & fielding.

2.8.2 Pitching
Basic pitching technique
1. Pitchers – Position #1 on the Field
It’s very hard to win without great pitching.

Pitchers are #1 in the softball scorebook, and they’re in control of the pace of the game.
Below are some of the skills a pitcher needs:

Demands, Skills & Role of a Pitcher

 Great windmill mechanics
 Mentally tough and bounces back from failure
 Good under pressure
 Good feel for pitching and for the ball
 Repeatable and athletic delivery
 Very focused with good softball IQ
 Very competitive with leadership skills

Ideal Body Type and Attributes for Pitchers

 Tall, with long arms and legs
 Strong lower half
 Wide shoulders
 Flexible and explosive

Pitchers need great workouts to stay healthy with as much pitching as they do

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2. Catcher – Position #2 on the Field
Catchers have an extremely demanding role on the team – both physically and
mentally. Because the catcher must control and corral the pitcher, he has to be
physically and mentally quick. Foul tips and long days squatting and blocking in the heat
make for very long, draining days.

Demands, Skills & Role of a Catcher

 The modern catcher is getting taller and more athletic than in the past
 Catchers need to have strong legs and be able to withstand some punishment
 Hitting skills are a plus and less of a requirement
 Catchers should have a very strong arm
 Excellent hands and receiving technique
 technique r
 Must be very strong and smart mentally
Ideal Body Type and Attributes for Catchers
 Thick, strong and durable
 Taller catchers are becoming more common
 Slightly slimmer, more athletic and agile catchers are becoming more Common
 Overall, scouts want to see catchers who are very athletic, strong and agile

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3. First Baseman – Position #3 on the Field

First baseman are the biggest power hitters on a team, and they are typically
very big and relatively slow because of this.

Demands, Skills & Role of a First Baseman

First baseman can often “hide” at first because they don’t often have to make long
throws or move around too much. But, that doesn’t mean first base is not a difficult
position – it’s easy to play an average first base, but it’s NOT easy to be great at it.
The first baseman is paid to HIT, and hit for power–that’s job #1. Beyond that, he needs
to pick bad throws, be a great, large target and read throws well to get outs on every
throw he can from other infielders.
Good reflexes and instincts are important, as line drives scream to first base.

Ideal Body Type and Attributes for First Basemen

 Left-handed is a plus
 -handed is a p
 Size matters, speed not so much
 A strong arm is a bonus but not overly important

 Quick reflexes – batted balls come to first base HOT
 Small players will NOT get recruited to play in college as a first baseman.

4. Second Baseman (Position #4 on the field chart)

Second baseman in softball are typically great defensive players but often lack a
strong throwing arm.
Demands, Skills & Role of a 2nd Baseman
 Very agile and quick

 Excellent glove and defensive skills
 Needs an adequate arm, but it doesn’t need to be a cannon
 Should be fast and a skilled contact hitter

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  Typically a “spark plug” type player who gets on base and makes things happen
on the base paths

Ideal Body Type and Attributes for 2nd Basemen

Second baseman have to be very quick and agile defenders and have value on the bases.
They don’t have to be big and hit for power, so they are often smaller players.

5. Third Baseman – Position #5 on the Field

Third baseman have a similar skillset to shortstops, but they hit for more power
and are more offensive in general, with slightly less range and foot. Third basemen don’t
have to move as much compared to the SS or 2B, so they can be bigger bodied.
Third basemen in fast pitch need to be great fielders and have strong arms to make the
long throw.

Demands, Skills & Role of a Third Baseman

 VERY strong arm to make long throws across the diamond
 oss the diamondut

 bette power hitters on the team, typically
 Many HS shortstops are recruited as SS, but end up playing 2B or 3B in college

Ideal Body Type and Attributes for Third Basemen
 Moves very well and is fast with fast footwork




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6. Shortstop – Position #6 on the Field
Sis Bates from the University of Washington, shown below, is an outstanding shortstop
and epitomizes what they have to be able to do.
Shortstops are usually the best athletes on the field at all levels of softball.

Demands, Skills & Role of a Shortstop

 Must have excellent glove skills
 Excellent range and agility
 ellent range and agi
 Excellent field vision and understanding of where to go and other players’
movement

there is a growing importance on being threat at the plate – it’s not enough
anymore to hit .250 as an MLB shortstop
 Must be mentally tough and have strong leadership skills

Ideal Body Type and Attributes for Shortstops

 Shortstops are premium athletes and their body types fit this bill
 Most are 5’5 – 5’9 at the collegiate level and are fast, explosive, strong and
flexible – they can run, jump and do it all
 There cannot be any defensive tool lacking to play at the highest levels – agility,
glove work and arm strength must be elite
 Again, the body type is typically lean, strong and powerful.

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7. Left Fielder – Position #7 on the Field

Left fielders typically have good speed and fielding skills and are expected to be good
contributors at the plate.
The left fielder does not need to have an amazing arm because throws aren’t terribly
long.
Demands, Skills & Role of a Left Fielder
Left fielders need to play excellent outfield defense and thus must be fast and have a
great glove.
 Good outfielder, OK arm
 Should have good speed but doesn’t need to be a burner

 Typically one of the bigger hitters on the team

Ideal Body Type and Attributes for Left Fielders

 Big and strong frame but with good speed and agility
 Typically on the tall side


8. Center Fielder – Position #8 on the Field

Center field requires lots of speed and great fly ball reading ability. It’s the most
demanding out field position with lots of ground to cover.
Many outfielders, because of their speed, end up converting into successful slap hitters.

Demands, Skills & Role of a Center Fielder

 Is the best fielding outfielder
 Must be very fast
 Must be excellent at reading fly balls

 Must be a solid hitter at the plate and a great base runner because of their
speed

Ideal Body Type and Attributes for Center Fielders
 Very similar to shortstops – center fielders are one of the best athletes on the
team
 Must be explosive, lean and strong in a very athletic overall package

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 
If you need to improve your speed, be sure to get in the weight room! Fast legs are
strong legs.

9. Right Fielder – Position #9 on the Field

The throw from right field to third base is very long, hence the need for good arm
strength.
Demands, Skills & Role of a Right Fielder

 In youth softball, the right fielder is one of the lesser players on the team
because fewer fly balls are hit that way
 Right fielders should have at least modest power and good speed

teamgs
Ideal Body Type and Attributes for Right Fielders

 Collegiate right fielders are athletic and fast with strong throwing arms
 Typically taller and have an athletic build
 y taller and have an athletic buildfast with stro.

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2.8.3 Batting

There is a tremendous range of bats available for players to choose from. They vary in
length and weight to suit players' needs. When making a selection it is important that
the player can control the bat, so the weight and length of it are important criteria to
consider.
1. Batting grip
2. Place the hands together on the bat at a comfortable distance from the knob
3. Right-handed batters place the left hand closest to the knob of the bat (as shown in
the photos below)
4. Left-handed batters place the right hand closest to the knob of the bat
5. Wrap the fingers around the handle
6. Hold the bat in the base of the fingers and not in the palm
7. Centre the knuckles of the fingers (door knockers) so that they are in a straight line up
the handle of the bat
8. The grip on the bat should be relaxed but firm enough so that the bat does not slip
from the hands
9. If the bat is too heavy slide both hands away from the knob until the bat can be
swung comfortably (this is known as 'choking the bat')
10. Batting grip activities Activity 1 (as demonstrated in the above photos)
11. Stands with the knees together and rest the bat against the knees. Reach down with
both hands and wrap the fingers around the handle of the bat (photo on the left).
12. Close the hands around the bat to form a 'V' between the thumb and index finger.
The V should point down the line of the bat (Middle photo). Lift the bat straight up to
their shoulder (photo on the right). Activity 2.
13. Place the bat on the ground in front of the player
14. Have them pick the bat up off the ground using both hands at the same time

Batting grip activities Activity 1 (as demonstrated in the above photos)

1. .Stand with the knees together and rest the bat against the knees
2. .Reach down with both hands and wrap the fingers around the handle of the bat
(photo finger. The V should point down the line of the bat (middle photo)
3. .Lift the bat straight up to their shoulder (photo on the right) Activity 2
4. Place the bat on the ground in front of the player.

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5. Have them pick the bat up off the ground using both hands at the same time see if
the grip matches the key points described in Activity 1

Basic hitting technique

Ready position
Stance
1. Take a comfortable and balanced position with
weight distributed on the inside part of the balls of
feet

2. Feet should be shoulder-width apart and parallel

to each other
3. Head is over the belly button
4. Bat is held roughly over the shoulder
5. Knees are flexed. Head and eye are level

Sequence
Stride
1. Take a soft step towards the pitcher (this is a
trigger to commence the batting sequence)
2. Front foot and knee are closed and feet are
parallel to home plate
3. Keep hands and eye level.
4. Head remains over the belly button.

Hip rotation
1. Hip rotation commences after the stride.
2. Pivot on the ball of the rear foot after the stride foot is in position (squash the
bug)
3. Back leg forms an L shape in line with the back shoulder
4. Front knee is flexed slightly (shark fin effect).

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Swing
1. Shoulders commence rotation after hip rotation
2. Belly button points to the ball
3. Head is over the belly button
4. Head and eyes remain level looking at the contact
point
5. Arm are well extended.
6. Throw the bat head at ball. Extent the bat through
the path of the ball.

Follow through
1. Shoulders continue to rotate
2. Maintain a balanced position

3. Knee, hip and shoulder are aligned, bat finishes above the shoulder
4. Head is over the belly button
5. Head and eyes are level

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