Softball Mom's and Dad's in a previous post Softball Instruction you can use part 2 I demonstrated how you can turn an old household item into a very effective hand eye coordination hitting tool for the Fastpitch Softball or baseball player in your family. Softball as you well know can be a very expensive activity, so if improving your softball players skills while saving a few dollars is a priority you'll want to read on. All of the products that I will be comparing in this article are worthy of investing in, however when I was growing up paying $300 for a Softball bat was out of the question, as a matter of fact, when I was growing up $300 would buy the entire team Softball bats, but I digress. So please note that if you have the money and want to invest in training products please do, I'll even list on this page those products that I would recommend, but if you're looking to save a few bucks on training devises, and get quality results for your softball or baseball player I think you'll enjoy what you'll find here.

The items pictured to the right can be found at most sporting goods stores or purchased online. They work very well in teaching young softball players how to field a ground ball with two hands, because as you can see they are flat and require the use of both hands to control the ball. Many elite softball and baseball players will use these or similar tools in practice to reinforce their muscle memory, so that in game situations they react without any thought.

These two items range in price from $19 to $40, now that is nowhere near the cost of a $300 Softball bat, and well worth the investment to begin training your young softball star. Clearly this purchase won't require a hammer to the piggy bank, but just in case it does let me show you a product you may have laying around the garage that will do the same thing, and if you don't have one laying around may cost you 5 bucks at your hometown sporting good store. What am I speaking of....

So it doesn't have finger holes and doesn't look like it could be a softball glove that was flattened by a steam roller, but like I tell the kids I teach, the ball doesn't know any better, and the whole goal here is to teach your softball player to use both hands not admire the equipment...

And just think, with the $14 you'll save here you can purchase a gallon of gas as the family heads off to next weeks tournament... Ok, you're right, that wasn't funny..

If your softball player is a right handed thrower put the paddle in their left hand with the handle going up their wrist, and their fingers on the backside of the paddle and their thumb hooked over the front. If they are a left handed thrower put the paddle in their right hand and follow instructions above.

Fielding a ground ball requires the understanding of how your body should be positioned as well as where you want to place your hands and glove. The vast majority of young softball or baseball players will try to field the ball with only their glove hand, then bring their throwing hand into play once the ball is caught.

This is where these type of training devises come in handy, by using a flat surface and only using your glove hand to catch the ball it becomes impossible. These two handed drills will improve your girls fastpitch softball players skills immediately.

Now that your softball player is holding the paddle, have them get into their fielding position; feet about shoulder width apart, flexed knees, backside down, head up and hands just off the ground and out in front of them, the paddle will be closest to the ground with the bare hand hovering over the paddle ready to trap the ball. Don't let their hands get so far out in front that they lose their balance, but be sure that they are receiving the ball out in front of their shoulders not directly underneath them.

USA Olympic Softball Coach Mike Candrea, uses the triangle example to get this point across, and that is simply imagine a triangle in front of your softball player. The bottom line of the triangle is from toe to toe and the point of the triangle is out in front of your player while in their fielding position. The purpose of this exercise is for the Softball player to receive the ball at the point of the triangle (or out in front of them.)

So, using the fielding position outlined above and the triangle concept have your softball player get set and while holding the ping pong paddle as though it was their glove, you'll want to use a tennis ball and begin to roll them grounders. Be patient with them through this process, remember its a game and should be fun. Once they begin to get the hang of this put their glove on and watch the difference, and you're well on your way to grooming a soft-handed softball fielder...

I hope you found this Softball Instruction helpful.... so until next time...

Softball is a game for everyone.... Fastpitch Softball is for athletes....