Fastpitch Softball Pitching Tips for Beginners

As in baseball, an experienced softball pitcher can dictate the flow of a game by baffling, and at times, overpowering hitters. Beginners, however, should focus on fine-tuning their pitching mechanics, before even attempting to increase their velocity and accuracy. This is accomplished through practice and repetition, to be preceded by a series of dynamic warm-ups to prevent injury. For those who master these fundamentals, everything else, as they say, will fall into place.

  1. Proper Mechanics

    • Many inexperienced players are far too eager to emulate the hard-throwing college and professional pitchers they see on TV. But, without first refining their mechanics, their pitching will remain erratic. The fact is, the average pitch speed for hurlers under 14 is around 50 mph, according to pitching instructor Gerald Warner of PitchSoftball.com. To improve your mechanics, the Life in the Fastpitch Lane website suggests taping your throwing session. Then, you can watch the film to break down and dissect your mechanics, looking for areas to improve on, such as fluidity in your pitching motion and maintaining proper posture throughout. Poor mechanics can also result in injury.

    Pitch Selection

    • Hitters tend to strike out most consistently on pitches that combine speed and movement. As a beginner, stick with the two-seam and four-seam fastballs, as these are the easiest pitches to master. Above all, your objective should be to get people out. Do not become too preoccupied with striking batters out, which can be a misleading indicator of a pitcher's success. Japanese pitcher Yukiko Ueno had just four strikeouts in winning the 2008 Olympic gold medal for her team. Meanwhile, her U.S. counterparts combined for 13 in a losing effort. Throwing the two-seamer and four-seamer may not produce a lot of strikeouts, but when thrown correctly, these pitches are still effective. Try throwing strikes that are low and on the corners.

    Focus

    • At times, it will seem as though the other team is hitting everything you throw at them. Remain composed, and do not give the hitter a mental edge by appearing distressed. Focus and steadfastness are an integral part of pitching. You should have a short-term memory on the field, so you can shake off the disappointment of surrendering a run and instead focus on getting the next out. While knowing your opponent's strengths is an important component of the game, as a pitcher you should always take charge. You should be as confident throwing a 3-2 pitch to a fastball hitter with the game on the line, as you are on the first pitch. Strive for consistency, rather than flashes of brilliance.