Hi, I am a freshman, and I am at a new school this year. My parents really want me to do something to get involved, meet new people, etc. Almost everybody at my school plays a sport, so I figured the best way to make friends is to play a sport too. I have always liked softball, and my best friend plays, so I have gone to a few of her games, and relatively know how the game works. The problem is that I haven’t ever played softball other than some times in gym class. I do have some experience in throwing a softball, and I am physically fit and can run, etc. Is it too late to start playing? What do I need to know before I start? Also, I know this probably varies depending on what school you attend, but how demanding are the practices? I really want to do a sport, but I also do honors classes, and I have to keep my grades up. I would appreciate just about any advice, and I won’t be offended if you tell me that trying out for softball isn’t my best bet. Thanks in advance for your time!!!!!!
My daughters play softball, and every year there are first-year players who make the freshman and/or JV teams at their high school – so there’s no reason you can’t do it if you start working at it and begin preparing now!
So what can you do?
Really work on your throwing, your catching, and your hitting. These are the three main skills that are needed in order to play the game. Don’t worry so much about learning "the rules." You have a basic understanding now, and you will learn by playing once you’re on the team.
Talk to your high school coach now to let them know you would like to play on their team – ask what you could do to have the best chances. Find out if there are any practices they’re holding before tryouts start that you could join in on. If not, try to find a more experienced player to work with. Or just go out with a parent, another friend, or a sibling. (Coaches want to help girls get better & learn, that’s why they coach! So they will probably be glad to give you some advice.)
1. Check out some good videos so that you know what you are trying to accomplish when you practice. Go to youtube and search "Mike Candrea" videos. He is the USA Olympic softball head coach (gold medals,) and also University of Arizona head coach (several national championships) and has several videos on throwing, fielding, and hitting that should help you understand the form to use.
2. Play catch A LOT. Concentrate on getting your throwing hand with the ball up higher than your head and behind you. As you begin to throw, your hand needs to be high and your elbow needs to be in an "L" shape – NOT in a "V" shape. This is one of the main things coaches look for because the L-shape bend in your elbow allows you to develop powerful throws. A low hand and V-shaped elbow = weak throws. Even if you can’t throw hard in the beginning, use the proper form and keep working at it to get stronger!
3. Work on your hitting – players who can hit decently have a MUCH better chance of making the team.
This is one of the main areas that good video instruction can help. Get a batting tee and use it to practice hitting line drives. Even top college players and pro baseball players use tees to work on their form, so don’t be shy about doing this. Also go to a batting cage as often as possible. If possible, it would be best to practice hitting with anyone who has taught hitting before, so ask the coach if they could help you or if they know of any good Little League coaches who might help. (Little League has teams/players up to 18 yrs old, not just little kids – and if you find a good little league softball coach they probably have a daughter you could meet and practice with, too!)
3. Also practice basic fielding – grounders and catching pop flies.
Most importantly, use your practice time now to get better and to start meeting friends too. If you don’t make the school team, I definitely suggest checking into your local Little League in January or February – they will probably have a "Juniors" team for girls age 13-14, and a "Seniors" team for 15-16 (and they have a good mix of experienced and new players that you could have a lot of fun with.)
Good Luck!!!
