How to Become a Professional Slow Pitch Softball Player

Practice a variety of skills to make yourself as valuable to a professional team as possible.

Say, "slow-pitch softball" and the image evoked is a scene of barely athletic players enjoying a friendly game as part of a family picnic. Becoming a professional slow-pitch softball player in the Major League Softball Association means taking your game to its competitive heights. A prospective player should establish a regimen of activities and workouts to put him in the best playing shape possible. MLSA players are signed to one-year contracts worth as much as $25,000 per season as of 2011. You will need to match the skill level of those competing against you for a spot on one of the 30 clubs.

Things You'll Need

• Bats
• Softballs
• Batting glove
• Fielding glove

Instructions

1. Begin a regimen including diet and exercise to shed excess weight and build strength. Focus on your flexibility with stretching exercises such as yoga. Perform exercises that pay particular attention to your core. The abdominal muscles are key to hitting power and overall athletic balance and strength.

2. Take practice swings from an assistant or coach or at a local automatic pitching machine. Set the machine for slow pitch and work on timing your swing to make level and solid contact with every pitch. Focus on remaining balanced throughout your swing so as to not injure yourself while training for your tryout.

3. Add fielding and throwing drills to your workout. Practice fielding batted balls and balls thrown by a helper. Practice at a variety of fielding positions to give yourself the best chance to make a team roster. If you are a skilled infielder, work on your outfield skills. Your varied skill-set could mean the difference between selecting you or another player for a pro team.

4. Join a recreational softball league. Search online advertisements or check with local establishments such as churches, taverns and community centers. Join a team with other players that closely match your skill level. Chart your progress throughout the season while continuing to train and practice your swing at the batting cages.

5. Check the Major League Softball Association website for information on the open and invitation only tryouts . Enter your personal information, including playing history and submit your registration with the MLSA Wire Service player database.

6. Attend the combine workout or exhibition games and perform to your ability. If you are unsuccessful in landing a spot on one of the 30 teams that are active, at the time of publication, seek the advice from the team representatives and talent evaluators to give you a better understanding of what areas require the greatest focus before your next tryout.

References

• Major League Softball Association:
• MLSA-USA.com: Player Combines
• Softballperformance.com: Softball Conditioning