Fundamentals of Hitting the Rise Ball

Fastpitch Softball

 

This Fundamentals of Hitting the Rise Ball article is excerpted from our book The Ultimate Hitting Fundamentals, Techniques, and Strategy Guide (click for details of our new fundamentals book available on Amazon).

 

The rise ball is a favorite “out” pitch for fastpitch softball pitchers.

 

Pitchers’ Strategy

Since fastpitch softball pitchers release pitches with an up trajectory, the upward spin (6-o’clock to 12-o’clock) of the ball may create a rising movement. Pitchers attempt to get the hitter to 1) “chase” an unhittable pitch above the strike zone, 2) to swing and miss under a high strike, or 3) to hit a catchable fly ball.

 

Identify Good vs. Poor Rise Ball

    Good 4-Seam Rise Spin     

 

  Poor 4-Seam Rise Spin

Good 2-Seam Rise Spin

Poor 2-Seam Rise Spin

Good Rise

Poor Rise

Change-Up/Drop

 

 

The rise ball is a tricky pitch to throw well. Poor spin occurs when the pitcher’s fingers spin the ball more on the side than underneath. The Magnus Force generated from the poorly turning rise (screwball spin) causes the pitch to flatten from its upward trajectory given to the pitch at release and move slightly inward. With practice, fastpitch hitters can quickly identify the cement mixer spin of the flattening rise, with a dot or circle in the middle of the ball.

 With good high pitch discipline and swing pattern, the ability to distinguish a hittable rise spin is very productive!

 On the other hand, a sharp spinning rise presents a big challenge. If the dot or circle is on the side of the ball, indicating a well-spun rise ball, and thrown at least 60 mph, the pitch “lifts” a few inches higher than the upward trajectory given to the pitch at release.

 

Productivity Techniques for Hitting the Rise Ball

The spin of a pitcher’s rise ball determines whether the hitter swings nearly level, as with a high fastball, or focuses on “getting on top” of the good rise. Here are the mechanics involved for each:

If a poor rise spin is recognized, the hitter utilizes high pitch fundamentals with a +3 to +7 attack angle. Any rise heading for the top of the strike zone can be swung at since the poor rise levels out as it reaches the batter. Discipline above the strike zone, like any high fastball, is critical.

The trajectory of the excellent rise as it arrives at the plate is slightly upward. To increase the chances of a hard-hit ball on a pitch with an elevating path requires the hitter to “get on top.” Here are three methods:

1. Use the same swing path as the high fastball (+3 to +7 attack angle) but aim higher in the projected (“vunneled”) upward course of the ball. Results may be inconsistent. The hitter is not swinging in the plane of the pitch. The rise’s trajectory is up, and so is the barrel – a smaller margin of error occurs.

2. The hitter starts their hands high and simply swings slightly down to get on plane with the upward breaking pitch. Productivity suffers on all other non-rise pitch types. But still an option to consider with two strikes against a predominant rise ball pitcher.

3. Develop a top-hand-over swing pattern (“tomahawk”).

Just as the hands begin to move from behind the hitter’s rear shoulder, the hitter “throws a punch” with their top hand while forcing their bottom hand to stay back. These early, top hand over bottom hand (“rolling over”) mechanics drive the barrel up, over, and then in a slightly downward swing path as the barrel enters the hitting zone. Ideally, the barrel travels somewhat downward   (-5 attack angle) in the same plane as the lifting rise ball, thereby maximizing the margin of error and increasing the rate of hard-hit balls.

You may ask, what hitter should EVER rollover early? Three reasons: First, this is simply another distinct swing pattern to add to the hitter’s baseline – along with patterns used for low, high, inside, outside, and downward breaking pitches. Second, anytime the hitter can get their swing path on the same plane as the pitch, (click the link for our free article describing the benefits of swinging in the plane with the pitch’s trajectory) the contact rate goes up. Third, top-hand-over is not so hard. Deliberately practice this new swing pattern, so it becomes automatic, but only when a good rise ball is recognized (see Drills section below).

A hitter who has mastered the top hand over swing increases HHB% (hard-hit ball percentage) against a great rise ball pitcher.

 

Plate Approach is Crucial for Hitting the Rise Ball

During pre-game warm-ups or within the first few batters, the fastpitch hitter identifies if the team faces a pitcher throwing a high percentage of well-spun rise balls. When facing a good rise ball pitcher, a plate approach is crucial:

 At least seventy percent of well-spun rise balls, released low with an upward trajectory, arrive at the plate above the strike zone. 

It is challenging to lay off a pitch (erroneously) seen to be heading for a high strike. By purposefully practicing the “look low” strategy, the fastpitch softball hitter sees better pitches to hit and increases their percentage of walks (raising QAB%) when facing pitchers throwing rise balls predominantly.

 

Drills for Hitting the Rise Ball

Rise Ball Hitting Drills (click the link for our free drills article)

 

 

Building Rome Series Books: Building the High-Level Swing Series

Click Building the High-Level Swing Series to learn more about our new two-book hitting series containing a detailed and comprehensive description of 100 hitting fundamentals and 140 step-by-step drills that efficiently construct the batting swing from the ground up.

In the Building Rome Series of books, the construction of skills are in functional order, providing a “roadmap” to becoming a great hitter.

All baseball and fastpitch softball players can “climb the Roman Coliseum steps” to become a powerful and productive hitter.

Enjoy the quest!