By: Rory Spellman (Reno, NV)

Equipment Needed: JUGS Poly Softballs

Step 1

This is a hitting drill especially useful for between games or other times when time is short and a pitching machine is not practical. First, use three throw down plates spaced about 50 feet apart in a triangle.

Step 2

Place 10 to 15 JUGS Poly Softballs in a pile towards the middle of the triangle in front of each plate. Then place the piles so that pulled hits will send the balls towards the other plates. This speeds up collecting the balls.

Step 3

Have a player hit, a player act as a catcher, and other players to round up the balls for the next hitter. Use dart type overhand throws from one knee. Direct the throws at the batters hip to prompt the hitter to get their hips snapped open to the pitcher and hit the ball in from off the plate at a spot where the batters eyes, bellybutton, and bat barrel are all in a straight line during the swing. Be sure to be observant of the proper follow through mechanics.

This drill really forces the batter to hit the ball out front in a pull fashion because if the batter waits for the ball to come into home plate the ball will hit the batter. I have found that the games after we do this drill, our batter do a much better job of aggressively attacking the pitches in front of the plate.

Rory Spellman, Coach for the Julie Smith Crusaders Girls Fastpitch Team