Fastpitch Softball a Predictable Game


Fastpitch softball is a fairly predictable game. For example  in High School and College its a full 7inning contest,  in summer and fall ball its the same seven innings or a set time like and hour and a half to insure that all the scheduled softball games get played..

Fastpitch softball coaches like to execute the sacrafice bunt with runners at first and second base with 1 out or less in close games, they'll run the first and third delay steal in similar situations and so on.. Fairly predictable.

Even the fastpitch softball players themselves become predictable especially the more skilled of a softball player they become. Let's take a great player like Olympic softball star like Natasha Watley for example, when she comes to the plate its safe to assume that she is going to press the softball defense with a contact at bat, meaning she is going to try and slap the ball in play and use that amazing God given speed to get on base, it doesn't mean she can't turn on one, but she likes to set up the power by creating holes in the softball defense, particularly the infield by using her speed. Its equally predictable that Crystal Bustos is going to dig in to the softball batters box and try to drive that fastpitch ball and anything attached to it like a third basemen 300 feet away. Does it mean because you may think you know what these players are going to do that they become easy outs? Of course not!



What it simply means is, as you advance in the game of fast pitch softball there really isn't a mystery as to what is about to happen next , it just gives you a better understanding of the softball situation, and what is potentially about to take place. This understanding is what we all strive for as both players and coaches. Its this understanding coupled with the ability to execute this knowledge that makes for a strong team.  So the next time you see a team sitting in the opposing dugout understand that you're about to play 7 innings or an hour and a half, there will be bunts and base runners, slap hits and maybe a home run and if its your team doing the executing both offensively and defensively you'll win.

Practice hard physically, study the game mentally and you'll become the best fastpitch softball player you can be. Its predictable

The Softball Clinic




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