In case you need ideas for what to work on in practice, here’s a cheat sheet of
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50 common situations to practice…save it, bookmark it, share it with others 😉
Defensive Situations
- No one on
- Runner at 1
- Runners at 1st & 2nd
- Bases loaded
- Runner at 2nd
- Runner at 3rd
- Bunt coverage
- 1st & 3rd
- Pick offs
- Rundowns
Baserunning Situations
Running from 1st (less than 2 outs)
- pop up
- ground ball to left side
- ground ball right side
- line drive
- deep fly ball
Running from 2nd (no one on 1st, less than 2 outs)
- pop up
- ground ball to left side
- ground ball right side
- line drive
- deep fly ball
Running from 3rd (no one on 1st/2nd, less than 2 outs)
- pop up
- ground ball to left side
- ground ball right side
- line drive
- deep fly ball
Running from 2nd (with runner on 1st, less than 2 outs)
- pop up
- ground ball to left side
- ground ball right side
- line drive
- deep fly ball
Running from 3rd (with bases loaded, less than 2 outs)
- pop up
- ground ball to left side
- ground ball right side
- line drive
- deep fly ball
Running with two outs from all bases
- pop up
- ground ball to left side
- ground ball right side
- line drive
- deep fly ball
Coverages
- Outfield Coverage
- Infield Coverage
- Bunt Coverage
- Steal Coverage
- Pick-off Coverage
- Passed ball Coverage
Other
- Pop Up/Fly Ball Priorities (calling for ball)
- Defensive Signals
- Pitching Signals
- Hitting Signals
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The written rule book for pitchers to follow in softball is a pretty extensive one. Illegal Pitches are at the top of the list of the things not to do. For those not familiar, an illegal pitch in softball occurs when the pitcher breaks a rule while delivering her pitch. The illegal pitch is called by the umpire, resulting in an awarded ball to the batter in the box. If there is a runner on base when an illegal pitch occurs, the base runner is awarded the next base. The five most common called illegal pitches in softball are crow hopping, re-planting, stepping outside the pitching lane, a pitcher’s back toe losing contact with the rubber, and for the younger pitcher’s failure to present hands apart when stepping onto the rubber. See Below:
Crow Hopping: Arguably the most common illegal pitch in softball. Crow Hopping occurs when both feet of the pitcher leave the ground mid-pitch. Another word for a crow hop is a leap or a jump. An easy was to avoid crow hopping is to emphasize weight distribution to the back foot and making sure it stays in contact with the ground through the drag and finish.
Re-Planting: Not as common as the crow hop when it comes to illegal pitching but the pitcher re-plant is still making noise. A re-plant occurs when the pitcher begins her drag, stops, and re-continues it during her pitch. The re-plant is harder for umpires to recognize, which is why it isn’t called out as often as crow hopping is. Not sure if you re-plant? Check your drag. If you notice your drag begins and has a stopping point and then continues, you are re-planting.
Stepping outside the pitching lane: This illegal pitch is silly because not a lot of pitchers are even familiar with this rule. Attention pitchers: there is an imaginary pitching lane in which you must remain inside while you are delivering your pitch. Unless the pitching lane is outlined in chalk before every game as a guideline, this rule shouldn’t even exist in my opinion. Opinion aside, the lane is the width of the pitching mound. If a pitcher steps too far outside of the lane, the behind the plate umpire may call that pitcher for an illegal pitch. This happens once in a blue moon because most behind the plate umpires are focused on the pitch coming in and won’t pay attention to the lane rule, especially if there isn’t a lane drawn anyways.
Back toe losing contact with the rubber: In the pitching rule book, both feet must remain in contact with the rubber until the pitcher begins her forward motion. Sometimes when pitchers load into their legs, their back toe will inch backward losing contact with the rubber. If a first base umpire notices this, he/she may call the pitcher for an illegal pitch. Keep both feet in contact until you move forward through your pitch and this will be completely avoided.
Failure to present hands apart: This one is a classic for the younger level pitchers and definitely the most common for them. Luckily most umpires at the younger levels will give pitchers a warning rather than an illegal pitch call. It is a rule that when a pitcher steps onto the pitching rubber, both hands must be separated. It doesn’t matter if the ball is in the pitcher’s hand or resting in the glove, however, the hands must be a part until the pitcher receives the sign from the catcher. Then the hands can come together and the pitcher can begin her pre-motion followed by delivering the pitch. Practice this, develop it as a habit, and it will become routine.
Illegal pitches in softball typically occur due to the forming of bad habits and making a routine of them over time. They can easily be avoided if pitchers are conscious of what they are doing mechanics wise, or if they have someone (such as a pitching coach or coach) keeping an eye on them. More often than not, an umpire will call an illegal pitch on a pitcher one or two times. Serving a warning to the pitcher, rather than making a statement to change the outcome of the game. The outcome of the game should be left up to the players, but that’s a post for another day. In the meantime, follow the rules, have fun, and don’t forget to practice good mechanics.
