What is the proper way to vice a softball bat?  Is there a link that shows how?
366932
To determine this, attach a room temperature (17°C) aluminium bat horizontally into a vice by its handle. Make sure the bat cannot move. Remove all the variables, such as the tightness of the vice, the length of the bat out of the vice (51cm), and the angle of the bat (level). Next, attach a 130cm string to a softball and attach the string to the ceiling above the bat with the ball level with the bat. Hold the ball up to the ceiling away from the bat with the string level with the ceiling. Make sure the ball is held in the same place every time. Let the ball drop and swing into the bat. Measure the distance that the ball rebounds off the bat by the tape measure that is placed on the rebounding track of the ball. Do 100 trials (drops of the ball). Record the distances. Repeat this procedure with the bat at 15°C (below room temperature), at 0°C (placed in a freezer), 24°C (above room temperature), and at 30°C (heated on a baseboard heater).
909869
It wouldnt vary from any other form of softball/baseball.\n\nKeep your weight back\nback elbow up\nwhen the pitcher is about to release the ball begin to move the weight forward\nthe butt end of the bat should follow through towards the pitcher, leading the hands\nkeep your head down, you want to watch the ball hit the bat\npivit your back foot, somtimes called "squashing the bug"\nfollow the swing all the way through
649221
Go to this site and poke around a bit. Lots of good softball stuff there. There is also a tips and drills area, look for it, it should give you what you need.\n\nhttp://eteamz.active.com/fastpitch/boards/fastpitch/
371000
Practice ahead of time by buying a softball, rope, and an eye hook.  Screw the eye hook into the ball.  Tie the rope to the eyehook.  Now tie it to an object above your head.  I used a clothesline for my kids.\n\nNow, hit the ball.  As it slows down, hit it again.  You should only hit the stopped ball when you begin.  Not only will you get a feel for hitting the ball, but no one has to chase it.\n\nPS... You may want to add a few drops of glue to the eyehook. That way, if you give it a good whack, it doesn't fly off.
666782
The slider is thrown with pressure applied to the index and middle finger along with pressure added to the thumb. The index and middle fingers "split" the top seams. The thumb however, is placed on top of the bottom seam. An important step in throwing a proper slider is to snap your wrist in a side to side motion as you release the baseball. When thrown properly, it will dart from right to left in a sweeping motion (left to right if you are left handed). The science behind this pitch is that the force applied to the index and middle fingers causes the ball to slide when it is thrown. With this and the combination of snapping your wrist, the baseball actually fights inertia and sharply slides during its flight to home plate. \n\nThe change up is one of the hardest pitches to throw. It really doesn't matter where your fingers are placed (unlike the fastball and slider). After you form an O.K. symbol with your hand it is important to squeeze the ball tightly. Finally, you must snap your wrist in the opposite side to side motion of a slider as you release the ball. In otherwards if you are right handed you will snap your wrist counterclockwise (clockwise if you are left handed). It is also important not to throw this pitch as hard as the fastball and slider. The science behind this pitch is that the friction applied from the O.K. hand signal causes the ball to be released at a slower rate. With the torque of your wrist, the ball once again fights inertia and travels from left to right while on its path to home plate (right to left if you are left handed). However, this time the baseball will lose velocity due to the firm grip and act in a tumbling manner as it approaches home plate.  \n\n**WARNING: it is advised that kids under the age of 18 do not try and throw the slider frequently as it may severely damage your hand**
266251
1.   Hide the ball in your glove.  \n  \n2.   Grip the ball with your middle and index fingers perpendicular to the seams at their widest point, with your thumb underneath the ball.  \n  \n3.   Spread your top fingers apart slightly and keep your ring finger and pinkie tucked into your palm. (Image 1)  \n  \n4.   Hold the ball firmly, applying pressure with your middle finger and thumb. Try not to let the ball rest in the palm of your hand, and keep your index finger relaxed. (Image 2)  \n  \n5.   Wind up into the pitch. Use the same pitching motion as in your other pitches so that the batter cannot predict a curveball. (Image 3)  \n  \n6.   Keep your wrist relaxed. After drawing back the pitch, hold your wrist so that the back of your hand points toward your body. (Image 4)  \n  \n7.   Roll your wrist downward and to the right (if you are right-handed) or to the left (if you're left-handed) immediately before releasing the pitch. (Image 5)  \n  \n8.   Release the pitch and follow through by bending your wrist. A right-hander should finish with the palm facing in toward the chest. The top of your thumb should be facing up.  \n  \n9.   Throw the ball between the batter and home plate if you're a left-handed pitcher facing a left-handed batter or if you're a right-handed pitcher facing a right-handed batter. \n\nSee pics at the linked page:
445643
1.     Grip the baseball by clenching the top of the ball with the tips of your index, middle and ring fingers just below the seams. Dig the tips of your fingers deep into the ball.\n \n2.  Place your thumb below the ball to give it support. Keep your pinkie off to the side.\n \n3.  Go into your windup. Remember to pivot and shift your body weight from the back foot forward toward home plate.\n \n4.  Throw the ball toward home, but don't snap your wrist - keep it stable, eliminating as much spin as possible.\n \n5.  Follow through. Extend all fingers toward home plate as you release the pitch. Your feet should be parallel at the end of the pitch, and your throwing arm should come across the front of your body.\n \n \nTips:\nAn effective knuckleball moves in two or three different directions in flight.\n \nTry a variation on the knuckleball grip by using just the index and middle fingers on the top of the ball. The ring finger joins the pinkie off to the side.\n \nThe slower the pitch, the more time the ball has to weave toward home plate.
302477
*** Asumption of a Right Handed Bowler - Reverse if left handed ***\n\nStand with your middle to of your left foot (slide foot) on the middle dot (The Big one), holding the ball at hip level.\n\nPush ball straight away from you when you take your first step.  Ball should swing naturally, and should not be forced during delivery.\n\nAs you continue through your approach, release the ball toward the head pin and follow through with your hand, such as you were going to shake hands with the head pin, with your thumb up in the air, bring your arm all the way up to your right ear.  Your follow through is the most important part of your delivery, as it tells you where the ball is going to go.\n\nThe ball should travel near the third arrow, or just right of it and should hit the pins just to the right of the head pin.\n\nThis should get you off on the right start.  Good Luck.
428365
First face front, put your left foot backand to a side and then your right feet straight.  Lift your left foot to the front and then stride stright to home plate and bring your arm toward home plate at the same time.  Don't forget you bring your right foot toward the home plate too.\n\nYou have to find your own release point.
959281
Start with a good grip, fingers spread lightly across the laces, thumb and forefinger making a "U" that cradles the tail of the ball. The strength of your grip should come primarily from your thumb, middle and ring fingers. The bigger your hands (or the smaller the ball), the farther back you can grip, and the easier it will be to achieve a spiral.\n Stand with your feet directly beneath your hips, keeping your non-throwing hip facing the target. Grip the ball solidly with your throwing hand while cupping it lightly with your nonthrowing hand. As in baseball, most of a good throw's power will come from your legs and trunk, so steady your base as you focus on the target.\n\n* As you prepare to throw, begin opening your hips and trunk toward your target. Uncoil your hips first, then your torso and shoulders. As you cock the ball back behind your ear, its nose will face behind you. As your arm moves from the cocked position over-head, your forearm should cross over your elbow as your hand extends in the direction you wish to throw.\n\n* The ball's spiral depends on your release. Let go with your thumb as you throw, letting the ball rotate as the laces move off your fingertips. As your hand and wrist turn over, imparting all-important spin, you should follow through with your palm facing the ground.\n\nThe wrist-flick that imparts spin can be difficult to learn; initially, it may be easier to involve your palm in the motion, letting the ball rotate from the flat of your hand to your fingertips to get more rotation. This move will sacrifice some power, but it will be easier for you to feel how the ball should spin as it comes off the hand. Feel is what this is about. Even in a game of power - of brute violence - feel is crucial. And few things feel better than a perfect spiral, straight, tight and true.
299774
Usually, u use ur index and middle finger and thumb to pick up the ball. Most pro pitchers lift their leg up before they pitch, and gain wait on the foot off the ground, to make the ball go faster. For a few people, this is hard, so dont rush. It is very important on how u release the ball to. There are a series of ways to make the ball curve, go faster, etc. all over the internet. I am not a baseball player, but I observe other baseball players. \nWish I could be more help. Tomatosoup98
265038
unless it's cracked and you're trying to extend the life of the bat, why would you want to spoil the feeling of the bat in your hand by putting tape on it?\nJust use pine tar ... it will allow you better feeling (and thus control) and improve your grip as well (if not better) than tape.
536243
Here you go, just follow these simple steps.\n\n1.Hide the ball in your glove.\n \n2.Grip the ball with your middle and index fingers perpendicular to the seams at their widest point, with your thumb underneath the ball.\n \n3. Spread your top fingers apart slightly and keep your ring finger and pinkie tucked into your palm. \n \n4. Hold the ball firmly, applying pressure with your middle finger and thumb. Try not to let the ball rest in the palm of your hand, and keep your index finger relaxed. \n \n5.Wind up into the pitch. Use the same pitching motion as in your other pitches so that the batter cannot predict a curveball. \n \n6.Keep your wrist relaxed. After drawing back the pitch, hold your wrist so that the back of your hand points toward your body. \n \n7.Roll your wrist downward and to the right (if you are right-handed) or to the left (if you're left-handed) immediately before releasing the pitch. \n \n8.Release the pitch and follow through by bending your wrist. A right-hander should finish with the palm facing in toward the chest. The top of your thumb should be facing up.\n \n9.Throw the ball between the batter and home plate if you're a left-handed pitcher facing a left-handed batter or if you're a right-handed pitcher facing a right-handed batter.\n \n \n\n \n \nTips:\nYou can also try gripping the ball between and along the seams. Spread your fingers apart slightly and press your middle finger into the ball. Go with the grip that allows you a comfortable release, the proper spin and maximum control.\n \nTurn your wrist further to increase the ball's spin. You will lose some control but will gain more curve. Throw harder, and the pitch gains speed but loses some of the curving movement.\n \n \nWarnings:\nThrowing a curveball can cause serious and possibly permanent damage to your shoulder, elbow and wrist. For this reason, most managers and coaches advise that young players avoid this pitch until they reach physical maturity.
1100769
1.10 (a) The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2 3/4 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.\n\n(b) Cupped Bats. An indentation in the end of the bat up to one inch in depth is permitted and may be no wider than two inches and no less than one inch in diameter. The indentation must be curved with no foreign substance added.\n\n(c) The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from its end, may be covered or treated with any material or substance to improve the grip. Any such material or substance, which extends past the 18 inch limitation, shall cause the bat to be removed from the game.\n\nNOTE: If the umpire discovers that the bat does not conform to (c) above until a time during or after which the bat has been used in play, it shall not be grounds for declaring the batter out, or ejected from the game.\n\n(d) No colored bat may be used in a professional game unless approved by the Rules Committee.
558921
You take your hands and curl them a little bit, like cat claws\n\nGet under the ball and face the direction you want to hit the ball at and the player you want to set it to\n\nKeep looking up at the ball, raise your curled hands over the front of your head and you're gonna swiftly extend your hands and make contact under the ball with your fingertips(that's why you have your hands curled)  when the ball comes down just about above your head. \n\nI think also bend at the knees and then extend your legs when you extend your arms to hit the ball\n\nNO PALMS WHEN SETTING A BALL!
863529
I know what you're asking for, but I don't think I can give you a great answer.  The best way I can think of answering your question is that you are trying to make contact with the ball; you are trying to strike it with the bat.  You swing and miss or do not swing at a potential good pitch, which will equal to your first attempt of striking the ball.\n\nHa ha ha.....not sure if that's true, but after I read this, surprises me..sounds like it's the right answer.
1040806
With a grooved swing(short radius, etc), I'd recommend that you work on strengthening your lead hand arm strength. I have seen this work wonders when hitters that want to add more pop do concentrated isotonic training on the lead arm which for most players is their weaker arm. Have you ever tried the frisbee drill where you knock a softball sized wiffle ball off the tee using the lead hand? It's a hoot and effective!