r/slowpitch

Anyone have any thoughts on the best bats to use in a clincher ball game? I have an old miken freak, a wood bat, some synergy bats, an easton trishell connection & a worth mayhem all bats i can't use anywhere else lol

I started pitching earlier this year in 2 leagues: co-ed and women’s. After a bad first outing, in women’s, I really felt like I got into my groove. Was feeling really confident.

Randomly, in a not tight game where we were up 5, top 7, I was completely unable to throw a strike. Lost all control.

Fast forward to my co-ed game and practice during the week, I’m fine (granted co-ed uses a bigger ball and I find it easier to pitch). I even throw 3-4 buckets of balls before the women’s game, 10-12 strikes in a row.

Then game time, cannot get a strike for the first 3 batters and pull myself.

I’m so frustrated. I practiced again yesterday, same field, same balls. 50–60% strike. Not great. But better.

I am dreading my women’s game. Thinking about it way too much. It doesn’t help that the team is unsupportive, no encouragement at all. Quiet on the bench. No “shake it off”. Or “we know you got it”. Silence and annoyance is palpable..talking to each other. Not me. Which obviously adds stress.

Anyone have tips to break the funk.

EDIT: post practice update. I was getting a bit frustrated. But decided to see what would happen if I backed up like 1 foot and actually got right into a groove. I have always been scared for standing farther because I was worried about accuracy and distance. But it actually felt easier.

Looking at getting this at bat I love balanced bats but not really informed on the brand I used to like it in high school but not for slow pitch was wondering if people have HONEST reviews of this bat!!!!

I was just asked to participate in a women’s 40t+ Senior tournament.

I’m awaiting rules and whatnot, but it’s USA/ASA.

Do I “get” to use a “senior” bat?

Apologies if I misuse terms. I’m used to playing with 20/30’s.

Thanks.,

AND I’m SO EXCITED! I just got back into playing and this’ll be my first tournament! It’s in Louisiana!

I've started to notice some teams use their best outfielder in RCF instead of the conventional LCF or maybe even LF. In fact, I've even seen teams instead of hiding someone in RF actually have someone play pretty decent in RF.

What is the reason behind why some teams would put their best outfielder in RCF instead of LCF? Is it to deter righty batters from trying to go oppo? Or is it to neutralize lefty batters?

Hi I’m considering getting a Easton hellcat for playing infield. I feel like I’m gonna get chirps or whatever wearing a helmet but I really don’t want to get a liner to the face.

Anyone know someone that uses this in infield?

Heya, so I'm a newer player coming into this. I wanted to get myself back in some form of activity and I've been following baseball since I was a kid. I'm a MtF(30) but male presenting person, looking for leagues or drop ins in the nyc area.

I've never played slowpitch softball, only baseball before, and I was more so nervous about getting back into it over anything. I have a bat that's good for it, a 14" glove, I'm missing cleats and not sure what to look for for those.

I was looking into Volo sports for looking at things but the locations are quite far and infrequent for drop in games, and they mostly look for women.

Any alternatives to look for leagues/games to join, I mainly want to be social, get my body active again, and to just enjoy the game!

So, I currently catch most of the time due to injuries. Occasional pitching. However, I’m looking to and hoping to move to OF. I “used to” be fairly good at catching flies. Since then, I feel like I suck and have much practice to do. I envy those who can shag the ball and make it look easy.

Not that it matters (I don’t think?) but I’ve two concerns life like tips for improvement on.

1. catching pop ups. My sons are great about “helping me practice” and we’ve plans to take the tee out so they can just hit to their hearts content. What should I do I my end to make the most of practice? They’re pre-teen and teen. Their energy is endless and they heckle the hell out of me. Is “depth perception” just a lick of the draw? Do we lose that ability as we age? Can i practice it “back”?

2. my arm. How best can I strengthen my throws? At one time I could throw from L to first. That was eons ago. I do tend to get lazy when I know the person on the receiving end can adapt. But are they specific exercises? Must I lift weights? Pushups? Or just “throw” but that’s not helping my distance, so far..

3. I’m a right handed batter that usually hits to the left field. I’d really like to hit to the right. Tips?

I am coming off some pretty significant injuries. But I don’t want to handicap myself forever.

Thank you.

I've noticed that some players prefer to either catch the ball with either 1 hand or 2 hands. What do I mean by this? It's a bit hard to explain.

One hand as in they stick their glove out to catch the ball while their throwing hand isn't supporting it.

Two hands as in they'll have their glove out but when trying to catch, they'll have their throwing hand close to their glove to support it in case it falls out.

In your opinion which technique is better?

I guess from what I've seen, the more skilled players generally catch with one hand while the less skilled ones use two hands?

Just started playing softball this year. Spring season just ended, fall ball starts up in a few weeks. I've played soccer since I was three as well as excelled at most sports that I've played, just didn't pursue anything else competitively.

Playing conditions: RF, ballfield has compact infield, overgrown bumpy outfield. Started the season off playing in some soccer cleats (hard molded) and that was an issue with the infield and my knees. Picked up some Salomon trail runners (I don't recall the model). While fielding a ball a couple of weeks ago I sprained my ankle due to the outfield not being level. While running bases I'm not finding enough traction to catch myself if I've overrun a base.

So what I'm looking for is a mid/high top soft molded cleat. Something that gives me ankle support as well as soft enough for a compact infield. Looking to stay under $100.

Ok, weird question, live in NJ play in a few over 50 leagues and most of the guys that play are in the same leagues, wither with us or against us depending on the nights. Now i know there are some other leagues in the half hour/hour radius that I assume have some guys we dint know. In the past we used to recruit guys via message3 boards and honestly that was great, a few of those guys still play wit hus to this day and have become great friends. That was then and this is now. We are struggling due to some late life kids and attrition to fill spots, how do you guys find "new guys"? Reall y ned like a dating app for Softball players! Swipe right if you can play LF on a Monday!

Hey y’all!!

I’m out of the loop entirely. I mainly play league because I’m always working so never really followed all the groups for the hots drops BUT!!! I do remember brands.

My SIS bag is lopsided and I was just wanting to grab a new one but they’re all sold out! Any restock dates ?? Or new versions in the works??

Does Proton not make bags anymore ??? I loved their navy one and wanted to grab one but they’re don’t have them listed anymore and haven’t for a hot minute.

I like the Bhall bag but I hate the shipping price. Gmfu.

Our rules states “After touching the ground on or past the commitment line, a runner may not return to third base, must continue to the scoring line.  If the runner returns to third after crossing the commitment line, the runner will be ruled out.“

In tonights scenario, runner ran past the commit line, took 2-3 steps back to third crossing the commit line again. Then went home and was safe before the out.

The other team appealed and I spoke to my 1st base ump. He said it should be an out. I reversed my call but going home I looked it up.

The runner never “returned” to third base but was “returning” to third base. He then committed to home base and got there before the out. Why wouldn’t the rule state that if he attempts to go back to third, it’s an automatic out?

It’s like if my wife asks me if I returned the library book. If I’m on the way to the library I say, “not yet but I’m about to.” I don’t say that I returned the book.

This is my first season and we are 4 games in. I have hit the ball every at bat. But i don't get the power i do when practicing while in the game. I can hit it out of the park off the tee consistently (easy cause you are removing tons of uncontrollable variables)

When doing practice in the batting cage off pitches i hit really clean and hard.

But when i get at a pitching machine or in games my hits become really weak.

Am i just overwhelmed and breaking down? Is this normal and just gets better with time?

I wish i had video but i don't right now so may not be much input that could be had. But its frustrating.

Up here in Canada, we play what we call 6-12. Pitches arc from 6 to 12 feet and the whole big ass platemat is a strike. Most guys I see end up swinging at such crazy bad pitches it's wild. I'm also guilty of this (especially when I already have a strike).

From what I see online of most slowpitch, the plate is not considered a strike, so front pitches are not stuff that people swing. How do yall approach low pitches? Especially inside ones. Most of us end up popping up.

Hi all,

I just started playing softball and practice #1 was rough..

I missed the ball numerous times and most my contact resulted in dribblers through the infield.

Does anyone have advice for how to stop scooping under the ball?

I recently started playing slowpitch again and found out my bat was banned (Suncoast Ruckus Max Endload 13in 27 oz) Gray, I really liked the way that bat swung and felt. Any recommendations on anything that would feel similar? We play in a Usssa league.

Anyone having issues with this bat right now or just my bad luck? I buy a lot of Rawling bats I like them, in the past year I’ve had to warranty a Freak Primo, 2025 Miken Freak, 2025 Miken KP23. All USA bats.

The freak primo started cracking and paint chipping after just one game, I was just starting in my softball journey and I thought I was doing something wrong, like hitting the wrong balls, I double checked and I wasn’t, I was hitting normal balls. I was so new, the replacement bat I was offered, I took and it wasn’t even meant for my league so I can’t even use it lmao.

For the replacement for the 2025 Miken freak (which had under 20 hits on it when it broke) I got the new 2026 Miken Freak and it didn’t last more than two at bats, from the sound of the bat I’m pretty sure it was DOA. I was playing in 80 degree weather using standard USA balls. Never caged these bats either. I’m hopeful they will realize the bats were defective and replace it again for me.

For the 2025 KP23 they had no more KP23 which I’m upset because it came to be my favorite bat so they’ve replaced it with a new Freak fire model, haven’t got it yet but I remain hopeful.