Softball Tip

Presented by Jessica Hollen, Camp Director
Nike Softball Camp George Fox University

2 tips for softball players to help anticipate balls in the outfield

Athletes of all abilities welcome!

Anticipating where the ball is going in the outfield is a skill that can make or break a play and even the game. This is a tough skill for youth softball players to master. The wind can change the direction of the ball, while line drives can sometimes fall in front or keep on flying. These tips can help a softball player increase their ability to snag fly balls, and decrease the odds of making errors.

1. Know the pitch: Before the start of the pitch, look where it will be thrown. If a curve-ball is called, know that the pitch will be outside. Anticipate that with an outside pitch, the batter will most likely hit it to the right side of the field. Same goes for an inside pitch. Know that an inside pitch will be hit to the left side of the field. A rise ball has a tendency to create fly balls or pop ups, so anticipate that if a rise ball is called more than likely a fly ball will be hit to you.
2. Shifting: Move a little bit after reading where the ball will be pitched. Doing this can shave off a few seconds and help you catch a ball hit in the gap. As Coach Hollen of George Fox University says “If you want to get the best read, you want to be able to see the ball off the bat as well as possible and read the direction.”

Work on these anticipation skills and other softball tips this summer at Nike Softball Camp George Fox.