Ultimate Fastpitch loves to share its softball knowledge with players, parents and coaches. In our Softball Tips & Drills section you will find a wide variety of useful information that will hopefully allow you to gain a more in depth appreciation of the game of fastpitch softball. Ball Against Fingers
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Tip #1 Get a Grip
Having a proper grip helps to promote both accuracy and power during the overhand throwing motion. The ball should be held with a semi-firm grip with 3-4 fingers (depending upon hand size) across one of the four long seams. Ball should rest against the 3-4 fingers with the thumb underneath. Finger pads should rest against the long seam of the ball to help generate more friction when pulling across the long seam. The end result will be a faster/tighter backspin, which will create a more powerful and accurate 4-seam throw.
4-Seam Grip
Common errors in gripping the softball include placing the finger pads against the slick portion of the ball (no friction) and holding the ball too deep in the palm (reduced wrist snap).
Slick Grip - No Friction
Ball Held Deep in Palm - Reduced Wrist Snap
In order to grip the softball bat properly, you should lay the bat handle against the calluses portion (bottom knuckles) of your palms, then wrap your fingers around the bat. The bat handle is primarily held with your fingers to maximize wrist action. If held properly, the middle knuckles of your top hand will be in line with the middle knuckles of your bottom hand. Many hitters prefer a middle knuckles of top hand to somewhere between the middle and bottom knuckles of the bottom hand alignment.
Bat handle across the bottom knuckles
Fingers wrapped around bat handle
Knuckle alignment preferred by many hitters
Common errors in gripping the softball bat include placing the handle in too deep in the palm, gripping the bat to tightly, and improper knuckle alignment. All of the afore mentioned errors greatly reduce wrist action and bat speed.
Bat handle held too deep in palm
Too much tension in grip
Improper knuckle alignment
