Free Softball Drills – Vision Drill #1

Purpose:  To develop the ability to recognize different pitch locations. This may a good mental training drill as well.

Procedure: The Pitcher will pitch to catcher. Hitter will stand in the batter's box. Watch the ball leave the pitcher's hand. Determine the type of pitch, as well as the location, as quickly as possible. Use one-syllable verbal cues to save time. As the ball approaches, call out the pitch and location. For example, you might say "fast strike" to indicate that the pitch selection was a fastball and the location was in strike zone. Similarly, "drop ball, 1" suggests that the pitch was a drop ball out of the zone. Shout these verbal cues as soon as possible.

Many hitters have no idea about the details of the pitch even if they hit it. Pitch recognition is extremely helpful to those players who have the tendency to chase balls that are out of the strike zone. It doesn't matter which word is stated first. If you feel that location is a greater concern for your team, have your players yell out location first.