Hitting Against a Left-Handed Pitcher (Fast-Pitch)
Also known as: left handed pitcher, lefty pitcher, hitting a lefty pitcher, facing a lefty pitcher, lefty vs lefty softball, crossfire angle, why is a lefty pitcher harder to hit
A left-handed pitcher feels harder to hit mainly because hitters see fewer of them. Her release comes from the other side, so the ball crosses the plate at an unfamiliar angle and her breaking pitches move the opposite way. Find her release point early, learn which way her pitches move and practice against left-handed pitching before games.
A fast-pitch pitcher must deliver the ball on her throwing-arm side. She can set up anywhere along the 24-inch pitcher's plate. A left-hander's release comes from the first-base side. Her pitches angle across the plate toward a right-handed hitter. Her curve usually breaks in toward a right-handed hitter and away from a left-handed one.
Same-side matchups are often toughest. A left-handed hitter or slapper sees the ball start from her own side and curve away. That pulls her front shoulder open. Against that look, many coaches tell left-side hitters to stay closed and drive the ball up the middle or the other way. Right-handed hitters see the ball angling in. Many try to keep their hands inside it and avoid bailing out.
Preparation matters most. Track a lefty's release beside her left hip in warm-ups. Notice where she stands on the plate. A pitcher on one end changes the angle even more. If your team rarely sees lefties, set a machine or a left-handed teammate to throw from that side before the game.
Tips by skill level
In warm-ups, watch only the lefty's release. Say out loud which side of her body the ball comes from until it feels normal.
Note where she stands on the 24-inch plate and which way her best pitch moves. Plan your target for each side before you step in.
Example
A left-handed slapper keeps pulling off a lefty's curveball. Her coach reminds her to stay closed and aim for the shortstop hole. Her next slap goes through the left side for a hit.
Why it matters
Pitchers use handedness to their advantage. Hitters who prepare for the angle take that edge away.
Common mistakes
- Looking for the release in the usual spot instead of beside the left hip
- Opening up early against a curve that breaks away
- Stepping in the bucket against the crossfire angle
- Never practicing against left-handed pitching
Frequently asked questions
Why is a lefty pitcher harder to hit in softball?
Mostly because hitters see fewer of them. The ball comes from the other side, crosses the plate at a new angle and her curve breaks the opposite way.
How do you hit against a left-handed pitcher in fastpitch?
Pick up her release beside her left hip, learn which way her pitches move and practice against a lefty or a machine set on that side before the game.
Sources
Related terms
- Hitting the Curveball (Fast-Pitch)To hit a fast-pitch curveball, read the sideways spin early and let the ball travel a little deeper. When it breaks away, keep your front shoulder closed and drive it up the middle or the other way. When it breaks in toward you, keep your hands inside the ball and turn on it.
- Timing the Pitcher's ReleaseTiming the pitcher's release means starting the swing in sync with the ball leaving her hand near the hip. The cue is the release, not the whole arm circle.
- Stepping in the Bucket (Stride Direction)Stepping in the bucket means the front foot strides away from the plate, toward the pull side, instead of toward the pitcher. That drags the lead shoulder and the barrel off the ball, so outside pitches become weak grounders or misses. The fix is a short step toward the circle, landing closed or only slightly open.
- Reading the PitcherReading the pitcher is the baserunner's ability to pick up timing cues in the pitcher's delivery — arm position, release tempo, or body tilt — to optimize their lead and steal timing.
- Outside Pitch ApproachThe outside pitch approach is the technique for driving an outer-third pitch — staying back, extending through the ball deeper in the zone, and using the whole field rather than trying to pull it.
- Slap HittingSlap hitting is a left-handed offensive technique where a fast runner moves through the batter's box toward the pitcher while making contact, converting their running start into a head-start toward first base.
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