Defense Counts in Fastpitch Softball

In Fastpitch Softball a game can come down to 1-0 in the bottom of the 7th inning. Your defense has held them all game. It's 90 degrees out and you are sweating and about out of gas. Then your pitcher loses grip from the sweat and floats one over the inside corner of the plate at thigh level. Here it comes right into that 5-6 hole. Are you ready for it? Where are the runners? How many outs? Is your outfield gonna back up the play? Do I have any gas left to make the stop and the throw over to 1st?

These are all questions running through your head in a situation like that. Your coach is thinking the same things. Hopefully you were paying attention at practice and you all know what to do and how each other is going to react in this situation.

To get to a situation like this you had to play nearly perfect defense all day. Good Defense is the key to winning in today's game of Fastpitch Softball. Pitchers are becoming great, hitters are becoming great and you have to be a great defensive player to stop them.

Here is a link to a good article I think you'll like.
Sea's success a true glove story

That High School team knows the value of getting your softball glove dirty and knowing how to use it. They spend most of their practice time working on defensive drills and strategies. The players understand that to win at a high level it takes perfect practice, every time.

A lot of times with the excellent pitching on most travel and competitive teams, the defense gets a little lazy. It's understandable when you go 3 or 4 innings with nothing more than a bunt or a blooper pop up for an out.

Then comes that hard hit grounder or line drive right at your head. You gotta be ready. To be ready you have to know What to do and How to do it. That comes from practice and doing your drills at home before practice.

When that high floating fly ball to the outfield comes unexpectedly you better have your glove and your legs ready to go. As an outfielder you know you are the last line of defense and the team is counting on you. That's why your coach puts some of her best athletes out there. All those drills chasing fly balls way over your head now seem to make sense to you. You know How to get to that ball and make the play to save the game.

Just Keepin' it real...