Video Presentations Notes-7

Field Positions:

Left Field                          Catcher                               1st Base

Right Field                        Pitcher                                2nd Base

Center                               Short Stop                          3rd Base

Softball Rules:

  • Point of the game is to score more runs than your opponent
  • A ball hit OUTSIDE the lines if a foul ball.
  • A runner CANNOT advance on a foul.
  • 4 balls = walk
  • 3 strikes = out
  • inning - both teams bat

FOUR ways to get an out:

  1. Strike out
  2. fly out
  3. Tagged out
  4. Force out

Hitting Mechanics:

Grip:

  • Right handed, right hand on top...Left handed left hand on top
  • Knuckles should be lined up

Stance:

  • feet shoulder width apart, bend your knees, hips, shoulders and toes facing the plate, torso upright
  • relax your elbows, arms should take the shape of the letter A, relaxed grip

Crow Hop:

  • Used when in the outfield
  • Enables you to field and make an aggressive throw
  • Field outside of glove foot, push up and take right leg and point the body in the direction that we are going.
  • Momentum goes forward

Throwing:

  • Grip - ball in our fingertips
  • Bring the ball to the center
  • Elbow at 90 degrees
  • Palms down, elbows up
  • Glove hand and shoulder pointing to the target
  • Coil your forearm across your body and release

Pitching:

Grip:

  • Turn the ball so that the seam makes  “U” shape to the side, rather than facing up.
  • Your fingers are resting on the seam, grip tight
  • Line your wrist up with your arm 

Arm Motion:

Bring the ball and glove together near the waist at the front of the body.

  • Backswing: This is the beginning of the pitch
  • Arm rotation: Make sure the arm stays straight and rotates at the same speed from the beginning to the end of the pitch
  • Final downswing: Should be tight and consistent
  • Release: Keep the hand turned up through the release and keep the body tall (don’t lean forward at the waist or lean to one side)
  • Follow-through: Consistent arm movement during the follow-through will help to prevent injuries after pitching

Footwork:

  • Stepping stride: It involves stepping forward as far as you can while your arm is rotating
  • Leaping stride: It allows you to get better range of motion
  • Drag: Drag involves keeping your back foot on the ground while leaping forward with your front foot

Fielding:

Ground balls - ready position, feet spread wide, glove side foot in front, toes, hips and shoulders square to the batter and knees bent, body bent and glove low and open, throwing hand above the glove

Fly balls - drop step (quick step closest to the direction of the ball), and turn toward that shoulder.  Fingers pointed to the sky, glove open and catch above eye level.  Utilize two hands.