Softball Tips – 5 Reasons Why You Need Softball Specific Training

There was a time in the past that all you needed to be a good athlete was to be in good physical shape. However, with the development of more sports-specific exercises, being in shape simply doesn't cut it anymore.

Today, you need to undergo a softball specific program if you want to get an edge over your opponents. Being fit for playing softball means you will be able to compete even at the highest levels of the game where things are a lot more demanding.

But what are the benefits of going through a softball-specific training? There are tons of them, all of which help to improve the way you perform on the field. Here are some of them to start with:

1.1. Pitch faster and throw harder. Obviously, this is something you cannot realistically achieve if you only use conventional training methods. A softball-centered approach will do more than just develop muscles in your body. Rather, it will focus on specific muscle groups that you use for pitching and throwing. This of course gets you exactly the results that you wanted.

2.2. React faster. A lot of decisions made on the softball field are made in less than a second. It applies to when you're deciding whether to hit the ball or not, or to steal a base or stay in your position. Sure, you can improve your reaction in a number of ways, but nothing beats training on the field. It enables you to embed the knowledge better, so you'll know what to do next time you play – without even thinking about it.

3.3. Recover faster between innings and games. Endurance is also important in softball. But it's not the type of endurance that basketball players or marathon runners need. When you're playing softball, you only need to sprint occasionally, but you also have to deal with the weather especially during summer. If you go through softball-specific training, your body will be a lot more tuned to staying in the game longer. But more than that, your recovery time will also be a lot quicker.

4.4. Be mentally tougher. Since softball is a non-contact sport, you go to war against your opponents using not just your skills but also your understanding of the psychology of your opponents. And you can only achieve this if you are a mentally tough player. This is something that gym trainers will never be able to teach you – only softball coaches and trainers can.

5.5. Stay healthy and avoid injuries. The physical demands of softball are a lot different from other sports. In softball, you don't need to run often, and you don't do a lot of jumping. But the wear and tear on your body happens in muscles that you use often for swinging or throwing the ball. Getting softball-specific training will give you the exact exercises that will help you strengthen and avoid injuries in these areas.

Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a Softball Peak Performance Coach that helps softball players and teams hit with more power, run faster, throw harder, become mentally tougher and be more dominant on the softball field.

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Understanding Softball Balls for Better Pitching and Batting Practice

Softball Balls for Better Pitching and Batting Practice

By Guest AuthorJacob Bennet

Purchasing softball balls may sound easy enough, yet the ones used for practice may differ in texture and size as opposed to official game day balls. Some are used for practice only while others are sized up for league competition. Other things to consider before placing an order include equipment compatibility as well as the many different age groups and skill levels involved.

While fastpitch bats are designed to handle higher velocities, the slow-pitch models are configured to suit lighter impact settings. With all the different softball balls and accessories on the market today, buying one of each may be out of the question. When it comes to softballs for sale, a few brand names stand out above the rest.

It's also important to figure out which ones will work best in any given pitching machine and be used for manual throwing exercises; many baseball pitching machines for sale have specific mechanisms designed to house most every type of baseball and softball imaginable. Pitching machine balls such as the Atec Tuffy and Supersoft SFTs are just two examples of softball balls specifically designed for the Power Streak machine.

Their raised seams allow breaking balls to dance across the plate while giving young hitters a great deal of confidence. The soft housing provides a reduced injury factor, as instructional league hitters get accustomed to the different types of ball movement. These are great training balls that can help to improve hand-to-eye coordination, and can be used for both indoor and outdoor practices. They can also be used in other pitching machine models as well, yet it's best to check the specs beforehand.

Many other softball balls can get the job done for intermediate training sequences. Taking it to the next level requires using simulated league play balls. A variety of authentic game-day softballs for sale include the Easton and Worth brands respectively, which are constructed for fastpitch bats.

The Easton FX1 Power Brigade is built with composite alloy barrel material that solidifies the sweet spot while being able to endure heaters up to 98 MPH. Approved by over a half-dozen organized leagues, it can be used to hit a number of softball balls made for league play.

The collection of Worth RIF Fastpitch brand softballs includes the 10, 11 and 12 inch balls with yellow covers and bright red stitching. The benefit of having two sharp contrasting colors enables younger hitters to see the ball better and make solid contact. Because these balls are both firm for getting some distance and spongy enough to reduce the sting; practicing with confidence can carry over into game-time situations. This is an important aspect of the developmental process concerning adolescent athletes, which is why the Worth brand softball balls are recommended for youngsters up to 12 years of age.

With literally dozens of different types of softballs for sale can increase both offensive and defensive skills, getting a chance to practice with as many different balls as possible is recommended. Becoming familiar with diversity is one of the key components of being able to adapt and adjust in a fluid manner.

Baseball and softball training aids are there primarily for the purpose of increasing athletic ability, yet this process extends beyond motor skills and coordination. Gaining a sense of camaraderie and heightened self-esteem is paramount to the chances for future success in the game of life itself. While softball balls may seem inconsequential to some, understanding the benefits and features of this piece of training equipment can better prepare your team to maximize their game day performance.

Jacob Bennet reviews of various team softball and baseball sports equipment including various types of batting cages, pitching machines and even likes to share his expertise on researching and purchasing softball balls. He is eager to help both players and coaches make good sound decisions when searching for specific baseball equipment including baseball and softball balls to help find the best ways to create and experience an effective practice for your team.

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