Archive for October, 2009
The Art of the Bent-Leg Slide
In my youth softball days, the other girls on the team nicknamed me “Rickey Henderson.” I took that as a serious compliment seeing as how Henderson set every significant stolen base record in the major leagues and also scored more runs over his career than any other player in history. I admired him for his willingness to take risks, his hard work ethic and lightning quickness.
My own success in softball had little to do with God-given talent, however. From the time I started T-ball, my dad started coaching me on the art of the bent-leg slide. At the end of every softball game, I would be the player with the dirtiest softball pants – the one who wasn’t afraid to be scratched and bruised if it meant leaving the diamond with a victory. The real Rickey would have been proud.
Whether an athlete is wanting to stick out of the crowd or follow their teams lead, there is no easier way then to own a very personal 
. There are multiple different styles of bat bags and softball equipment bags.
Some of the bags are huge and have multiple pockets for the athlete with a lot of equipment. These bags often have rollers to make the commute easier on the softball player. I have found it fairly common for most catchers to have these huge softball equipment bags; whereas the majority of the team typically prefers a somewhat smaller and lighter equipment bag. The ‘bat packs’ have made a huge splash in recent times, and I think this is primarily due to the convenience of wearing the the bag. Much smaller in design, these bags are still plenty big for the necessities.
It doesn’t matter what position or how serious of a softball player you are because a softball equipment bag is a must. There are a variety of choices and I know there is a right bag out there for everyone!
Very few softball pitchers have the ability to blow the ball right by a batter. Although it matters to an extent in baseball as well, the art of the finesse pitch is crucial to a softball pitcher’s success. By mixing up the speed and spin imparted on the ball, the pitcher can keep batters guessing. As soon as the batter starts to get a read on the pitcher’s habits, it becomes easy to predict when to swing.
From a hitter’s perspective, you should observe an opposing pitcher intently while your teammates are up to bat. This will help you to get a read on any physical ticks or tells. Make a mental note about the pitcher’s “stuff” – how many distinct pitches he or she possesses. Watch your teammates as they swing their Miken softball bats, and by the time it’s your turn to step into the batter’s box you’ll be ready to wallop one.
It’s the bottom of the seventh inning; the game is on the line. Your team trails by a run, and there are runners on second and third base. As you grab your bat and run to the on-deck circle, you realize that your batting gloves have been misplaced. No big deal. You take your stance in the batter’s box and foul off the first pitch. Ouch! The friction caused by a cold bat striking a softball sends reverberations up your arm, and the pain won’t subside for several minutes. By that time, the game is over.
Softball batting gloves serve two crucial purposes – that of protection and grip. Without high-quality gloves, even the best players would struggle to complete a successful at-bat. In cold weather, the gloves serve as a line of defense between you and the shock of impact. And no one wants to deal with the embarrassment of losing a grip on the bat. By wearing a reliable pair of gloves, you can take those possibilities right out of the equation.
Softball, like its cousin baseball, is a very popular team sport in the United States. It was originally intended to be a way for baseball players to keep in practice during the winter months. For a long time, it was referred to as Indoor Baseball.
Softball bats are used by the batter and are made of metal, wood or composite materials (carbon fiber, etc.). Sizes may vary. In fast pitch softball, wooden bats are not allowed.