Softball Situational Hitting Card
Pin it inside the dugout. Hitters glance at their situation (outs · runners) and walk to the box with an approach already in mind. Pairs with the offensive sign wristband.
| Bases empty | Runner 1st | Runner 2nd | Runner 3rd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 OUTS | Get on base. Work the count, lay off chase. On-base mindsetSee pitchesWork the at-bat | Move the runner to scoring position. Hit behind the runner (right side) or pull a gap. Right-side approachHit-and-run readyAvoid the DP ball | Move the runner to 3rd. Right-side ground ball or fly ball deep enough. Pull side ground ballFly to right field OKNo weak grounder up middle | Score the runner with a productive out. Squeeze, deep fly, hard ground ball middle/right. Squeeze in the bagSac fly OKNo infield pop-up |
| 1 OUT | Same as 0 outs empty: hit your pitch, drive the gap. Hit your pitchDon’t expandDamage zone only | Move runner up. Avoid the GIDP ball. Look to drive a fastball middle-in. Top-half of ballAvoid GIDPRight-side hit | Score the runner. Line drive or hard ground ball through the right side. Right side hitSac fly works tooNo first-pitch pop | Get the run in any way that’s legal. Deep fly, hard ground ball, base hit. Sac fly modeHit the ball hardNo K, no pop-up |
| 2 OUTS | Stay in the strike zone. Battle two-strike. Don’t give up the AB. Battle modeSpoil close pitchesHit your pitch early | Drive the ball. Two outs neutralizes the GIDP — be aggressive in your zone. Aggressive in zoneDrive the gapTwo-strike approach late | Get the run in. Any base hit scores. Stay aggressive, no expanding the zone. Base hit scoresHard contactStay short to the ball | Get the run in. A base hit, walk, or HBP scores. Two-strike spoil mode. Base hit scoresDon’t chaseBattle two-strike |
Count-based Approach
| 0-0, 1-0, 2-0, 3-1 | Hitter’s count. Look for a fastball in your zone, drive it. |
| 1-1, 2-1 | Even count. Stick to the plan, take the pitcher’s pitch. |
| 0-1, 1-2, 0-2 | Pitcher’s count. Protect, expand to fastball, spoil close offspeed. |
| 3-2 | Battle. Treat like 1-1. Square the ball, foul off close pitches. |
Coach’s Notes
Tendencies, inning-by-inning adjustments, opponent scout notes.
For more coaching tools, visit dugoutedge.com