Step 2: Stance

As you step into the batter's box, take notice of home plate.  Right-handed dominant will stand in the box closer to third base.  Left-handed dominant will stand in the box closer to first base.  Notice that home plate is the shape of a pentagon with the point facing away from the pitcher.  Your feet should be "squared away" meaning spread apart shoulder width with your toes point towards the plate.  It is also important to flex your knees for balance and comfort.  *Depending on the speed of the pitcher and the speed of your bat swing will determine how close up or farther away in the box you stand from the pitcher.








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Step 3: Bat Angle
It is important to create the perfect bat angle to avoid any wasted motion or time.  A few quick steps to get that perfect angle are as follows:
a. Rest the bat on your shoulder with the knob pointing forward
b. Slide the bat back on your shoulder until the taped grip touches your shoulder
c. Drop your hands to your chest
d. Slightly raise your hands back on an angle
**Once in your stance and in this position, you should be able to see your hands and bat out of the corner of  your eye

 These mini steps are to prevent you from wrapping the bat too far around your head because that creates wasted motion and takes time away from the swing

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Step 4: The Swing

The swing includes a trigger step in the sagittal plane, (if preferred, not necessary) and also the point at which the bat makes contact with the ball.  It is important to bring the hands and bat straight towards the ball in order to avoid dropping your shoulder.  Also, hip rotation will help in preventing this common problem.  As your hips and shoulders rotate, the bat will come forward.  As you swing towards the ball, your forearm should pronate automatically, causing the snapping action of your wrisits. The snapping action is to provide more power for making contact with the ball in front of the plate.  The greater the radius of rotation of the bat striking the ball, the greater the linear velocity the ball will take on.
**If your swing is too early or too late, the results could end in foul balls or missed swings.

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Step 5: Follow Through

The follow through is from the point of contact to the completion of the swing.  You cannot make contact with the ball then drop your bat and run.  You must follow through by bringing your arms and bat through the ball.  Naturally, after snapping your wrists during the swing, they will roll over helping to bring the bat across the body and shoulders.  Also, the back foot (closer to the catcher), should "squash the bug."  This means that your back foot should pivot towards the pitcher.  It is important not to pivot and finish on your toes because that will lift your entire body, throwing you off-balance.

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Throwing a Softball

Step 1: Grip

First, observe the softball.  Notice how the seams create "C" shapes.  Find a "C" and place your index, middle, and ring fingers all along the top of the seam.  Your pinky finger and thumb will naturally fall into a comfortable position around the ball.  **It is important not to palm the ball because this will prevent any wrist-snapping action.

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Step 2: Stance

First start by determining where your target will be standing.  Next, turn sideways from your target making sure your feet are "squared away." This means that your toes are pointing directly forward.  This is also the same as anatomical position.  After the stance is set-up, take a little step towards your target before any arm movement occurs. **Remain in anatomical position before creating the arm angles.

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Step 3: Arm Movement

After you are placed sideways in anatomical position, abduct your throwing arm in the frontal plane 90 degrees.  Your arm should be parallel to the ground.  Next, flex that elbow 90 degrees in the sagittal plane around the mediolateral axis.  This will then create an "L" shape.  Next, externally rotate the wrist in the transverse plane. Finally, abduct your glove hand 90 degrees towards your target.

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