Softball is a game that has nine different positions, and they require skills. Basic softball skills include base running, hitting, throwing, pitching, fielding, etc. Softball drills are necessary for improving these skills. Some softball drills include glove tuck, blind pivot, two hand bat drills, etc.
Training aids are equipment that helps with improving player’s skills through consistent practice. Some training aids include tees, weighted bats, weighted balls, and swing trainers. Softball-weighted balls are suitable for practicing hitting, catching, and throwing skills. Weighted hitting balls are balls that do not travel far during practice, and they are ideal for practicing alone without a team.
There are different factors to consider before purchasing practice balls. These factors include size, color, COR, compression, seams, and durability. The size of practice balls determines how far the ball will travel during practice. Light-weighted balls have a smaller weight compared to heavy-weighted balls. Light-weighted balls offer less air resistance, increasing speed and moving at a higher pitch velocity.
In contrast, heavy-weighted balls build a player’s strength. Color is another crucial factor in choosing practice balls. Balls with bright colors are easier to see and find during practice. Softball colors for NCAA leagues are either white or yellow.
COR is the coefficient of restitution of a ball. It is a measure of how much energy a ball loses during impact. COR is between 0 and 1. COR of 0 indicates that the ball loses all energy, while COR of 1 shows that no energy is lost. Although most balls have COR close to 0.5, when purchasing practice balls, look out for balls with COR closer to 1. Compression in a softball indicates how hard a ball is. It measures how many pounds of force is necessary to squeeze a ball by ¼ inch. There are low, mid, and high compression balls. Low compression balls are soft and do not have a value of more than 375. Low compression balls are suitable for younger players, and they are ideal for bats without flex. Mid compression balls have a value between 375 and 530. The balls have high flexibility and are suitable for training in slow pitch and fastpitch softball. Mid-compression balls are also ideal for most bats. High compression balls have a maximum value of 530 pounds. The balls are hard and can fly through a far distance. Professional players use high compression balls with bats that have flex. High compression balls have a polyurethane or cork core and synthetic leather covering for durability.
Softballs have covering and a core. The core can be from various materials, while the covering can be synthetic, composite, or natural leather. Balls with polyurethane or long fiber kapok are resilient and very durable. Balls from this core also increase ball flight and distance and also prevent bat damage and vibrations. Softer softballs have a cork or rubber core, and this reduces the risk of injury in players. Seams are stitches that hold the covering of the ball and its core together. Balls with raised seams can spin faster than balls with flat seams.
You may be interested in these articles about other softball training aids;
The 13 Best Practice Balls for Softball are Reviewed Below
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The best practice balls for softball are reviewed below.
1
Precision Impact Softball Slugs
Precision impact softball slugs are heavily weighted softballs for practice. The balls improve player’s swings, hitting power, and accuracy. The weighted hitting balls are suitable for indoor training because they don’t travel far. The balls come in a pack of six and are pink in color, making them easy to find. The balls have a size that makes them easy to throw. The precision impact softball slugs are durable and come with a 100% guarantee with a full refund if customers are unsatisfied with the ball’s performance. These balls are also suitable for players across all levels.
Key Features:
- Pack of 6
- Soft PVC material
- 3.65 inches diameter
- Pink, easy-to-find balls
- Real-time feedback
- Weighted hitting balls
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Specification:
- Brand: Precision Impact
- Dimensions: 12.25 × 8 × 4 inches
- Weight: 0.9 lbs.
Pros
- Weighted balls suitable for practice within a limited space
- The pink reflective color makes the ball easy to find
- There is real-time feedback that improves player’s swing
- Improves player’s hitting power and accuracy
- It is suitable for players of all levels
- There is a 100% satisfaction guarantee on the ball with a full refund if the ball’s performance doesn’t satisfy the user.
Cons
- Some reviewers complain about the durability of the ball
2
SKLZ Impact Limited Flight Practice Mini Balls
The practice balls are from plastic material, and they come in a pack of 8. The balls are weighted balls for softball hitting and throwing. They have a limited flight design that makes indoor practice easy without a hitting net. The SKLZ mini balls give instant feedback, improving player’s swings, confidence, and skills. The ball has a black and yellow color for easy tracking, and it is very durable.
Key Features:
- Pack of 8
- Weighted balls with limited flight design
- Plastic balls with a black and yellow color
Specification:
- Brand: SKLZ
- Dimensions: 3.07 × 17.64 × 7.01 inches
- Weight: 0.7 lbs.
Pros
- The weighted hitting balls have a limited flight design that makes them suitable for indoor practice
- The ball is easy to track with its yellow and black color
- The balls are from plastic, and they are very durable
- SKLZ mini practice balls improve player’s swings, performance, and confidence
- The balls provide instant feedback that helps improve swings
- The balls are sturdy and do not crack
- It is suitable for children
Cons
- The balls are light with a weight of 0.7 pounds and do not travel as far as a softball
- The ball melts or warps if it is in the sun or heat
3
Rukket Weighted Softballs
The Rukket weighted softballs are softball practice balls with a red color. They are suitable for practice both indoors and outdoors. The ball wobbles and falls if the player hits the ball wrongly, and this improves instant feedback. The ball is from quick reacting rubber, and it has a rubber coating that gives a proper response with a bat. The practice balls improve muscle memory through consistent practice, and it is suitable for players of all levels. The ball has a limited flight after impact feature, and it is three inches in diameter. There are three pieces of weighted hitting balls in a sturdy box for easy storage. There is a risk-free guarantee on the balls with an option of a full refund if the balls do not suit the player’s satisfaction.
Key Features:
- Three pieces of balls in a sturdy box
- Red balls
- Indestructible EVA material
- Quick reacting rubber ball with rubber coating
- Granular filling
- Limited flight balls
- Risk-free balls with a full refund guarantee
Specification:
- Brand: Rukket
- Dimensions: 10.2 × 3.66 × 3.31 inches
- Weight: 1 lb.
Pros
- The balls are from quick reacting rubber that gives instant feedback after coating
- The red balls are easily trackable
- The balls improve muscle memory through practice
- Drills improve arm strength and accuracy
- The balls are suitable for training anywhere with their limited flight capability
- The rubber coating shows a proper response with a bat
- The balls come in a sturdy box for easy storage
- There are a full refund and risk-free guarantee on the balls
- The ball is suitable for players of all levels
- The filling makes the ball take the shape of the impact giving instant feedback
- Suitable for pitching and hitting practice
Cons
- It is not ideal for power hitters
4
Markwort Lite Weight and Weighted Leather Softball
The Markwort Lite Weight balls are softball practice balls that are optic yellow with black stitches. The color makes the ball easy to track, and the black stitches improve feedback by showing the pitch’s trajectory. The ball has raised seams for a better grip and a weighted cork center that limits flight on impact. The balls have sizes ranging from four to 12 ounces. This size variation help improves player’s performance gradually. The ball is from leather, has a 12 inches circumference, and is suitable for both fastpitch and softpitch softball.
Key Features:
- Weighted cork center
- Optic yellow color
- Raised seams
- Black stitching
- Leather material
- 12 inches circumference
Specification:
- Brand: Markwort
- Dimensions: 4 × 4 × 3.9 inches
- Weight: 4 to 12 Oz.
Pros
- Optic yellow color aids easy tracking of the ball
- Raised seams improve grip
- Black stitches show the trajectory of pitch, providing instant feedback
- Weighted cork center limits flight of the balls and makes it suitable for practice both indoors and outdoors
- Weight variations help improve a player’s swing and arm strength gradually
- Ideal for both fastpitch and slowpitch softball
Cons
- Some reviewers do not find the ball durable
5
Rawlings 18 Cork Centre and Softball Bucket
The Rawlings cork center softballs have leather and polyurethane material. This polyurethane material is soft, and it reduces injury even when it hits players during practice. The balls are 18 pieces, and they come in an optic yellow five-gallon container with a snap-on lid that is suitable for sitting. The weighted hitting balls are durable and have an easy-grip due to the raised seams. The ball has National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) approval, and it is suitable for fastpitch softball. The cork center limits the ball’s flight making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor training.
Key Features:
- Yellow proTac synthetic leather material
- Weighted cork center with soft polyurethane material
- Raised seams
- Convenient transport
- 18 pieces of ball
- Optic yellow gallon with snap-on lid
Specification:
- Brand: Rawlings
- Dimensions: 13 × 13 × 19 inches
- Weight: 0.6 lbs.
Pros
- The balls have a convenient transport in an optic yellow color
- The snap-on lid on the gallon is suitable for sitting
- The ball is durable from its proTac synthetic leather
- The weighted cork center limits the flight of the ball, making it ideal for practice both indoors and outdoors
- The soft polyurethane reduces the risk of injury when balls hit players during practice
- Raised seams improve grip
- The ball has NCAA approval
Cons
- Suitable for young players only
- Only ideal for fastpitch softball
- Some reviewers got 17 instead of 18 balls
6
Rawlings 14
The Rawlings oversized pitcher training softballs are 14 inches in size. The balls are from synthetic material, have a worb color, and ultra-raised seams for correct grip. The balls are extra-large, and they improve pitch and spin control. The balls are suitable for fastpitch drills, and drill instructions come with the ball.
Key Features:
- Synthetic material
- 14 inches size
- Weighted balls
- Ultra raised seams
Specification:
- Brand: Rawlings
- Dimensions: 5 × 5 × 5 inches
- Weight: 0.6 lbs.
Pros
- The ball is durable
- The large size makes it suitable for pitchers
- The ball has a limited flight and is ideal for indoor and outdoor practice
- The balls improve pitch and spin control
- The ultra-raised seams enhance grip
- The balls come with an instruction manual for fastpitch drills
Cons
- The ball is only suitable for pitchers
7
Champro Striped Training Softball Set
The Champro Striped training softball set is a set of two balls. The ball’s core is from solid polyurethane, which limits flight. The ball has raised seams that improve grip and feel. There is a black line across two seams and a red line across four seams. These black and red stripes allow pitchers to monitor spin. The ball also has an optic yellow durahide cover.
Key Features:
- Optic yellow durahide cover
- 12 inches size
- Black and red stripes
- Solid polyurethane core
- Raised seams
- 0.47 COR
- 375 compression
Specification:
- Brand: Champro
- Dimensions: 14 × 4 × 4 inches
- Weight: 0.5 lbs.
Pros
- The optic yellow color makes the ball easy to find
- The ball is as large as a softball which simulates real-life pitches
- The black and red stitches allow pitchers to monitor spin
- Solid polyurethane core limits the ball’s flight and makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor practice
- Raised seams make gripping the ball easy
- The ball comes in a set of two
- 0.47 COR indicates that the ball will bounce at a high speed
Cons
- The compression is low, and it is only suitable for bats without flex
8
Soft Hit Seamed Foam Practice Softballs
The soft hit practice softballs are from polyurethane, and they have red raised seams. Polyurethane increases durability, and the red raised seams aids in easy tracking and grip of the ball. Pitchers can easily track spins and pitches, and hitters can see the ball rotation with the assistance of the red seams. The ball is 12 inches in size, lightweight and squeezable. The ball is suitable for throwing, pitching, and hitting, and it does not damage surfaces on impact.
Key Features:
- Pack of 6
- Polyurethane material
- Red raised seams
- 12 inches size
Specification:
- Brand: Soft Hit
- Dimensions: 4 × 8 × 11 inches
- Weight: 0.1 lbs.
Pros
- The balls are available in a pack of 6
- Polyurethane material increases the ball’s durability
- The ball is lightweight, squeezable, and cost-effective
- The red seams allow pitchers to track spin and pitches
- Hitters can track the ball’s rotation and type of pitch
- The ball is suitable for indoor practice
- The balls are lightweight and cannot damage surfaces they hit
- The ball is suitable for throwing, pitching, and hitting
Cons
- The balls are lightweight and require a hitting net during practice
9
Bownet Ballast Weighted Rubber Bomb Ball
The Bownet Ballast Weighted Ball has a 15-inch size, and it is suitable for both pitchers and hitters. The ball gives instant feedback on impact, and its raised seams give a better feel and grip. The ball is a limited flight ball suitable for practice indoors and outdoors. It is from polyester material that makes it durable. The ball is ideal for all bats, and it comes with a one-year warranty.
Key Features:
- Polyester material
- Instant feedback
- Raised seams
- 15-inch size
Specification:
- Brand: Bownet
- Dimensions: 21 × 11 × 11 inches
- Weight: 2 lbs.
Pros
- Polyester material makes the ball durable
- The ball is weighted, and it limits flight
- It is suitable for use both indoors and outdoors
- The ball provides instant feedback on contact
- The ball is suitable for both hitting and throwing
- The raised seams provide a better grip and feel
- There is a one-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- The ball is only ideal for fastpitch softball
10
SMUSH BALLS Smush Balls
Smush Balls are weighted balls for improving swing in players. The balls are limited flight and are suitable for both indoors and outdoors practice. The color of the balls can either be white or yellow to suit the player’s preferences. The ball helps to maximize swings and improve hitting in players.
Key Features:
- White and Yellow balls
- Weighted limited-flight ball
Specification:
- Brand: Smush Balls
- Dimensions: 10.7 × 7.8 × 2.7 inches
- Weight: 0.6 lbs.
Pros
- The balls are available in white and yellow colors, and it is easy to track
- Smush Balls are weighted balls with limited flight capabilities.
- The balls are suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- The balls improve muscle memory through practice
- The ball is ideal for batting practice and tee work
- Smush Balls do not damage anything on impact
Cons
- The balls don’t travel far
- It is suitable for eight and nine-year-olds only
11
Jugs Lite Elite 12 inch softballs
The Jugs Elite balls are training balls compatible with the Jugs Lite-Flite machine. The balls are suitable for toss and tee drills. The balls are lightweight and have a sponge-like texture that aids indoor use. The balls are yellow and 12 inches in size. This yellow color makes the ball easily trackable, and they simulate actual pitches. The balls are lightweight and do not sting when they hit the players
Key Features:
- Yellow balls
- 12 inches size
- Jugs Lite-Flite machine compatibility
- Sponge-like texture
- Synthetic seams
Specification:
- Brand: Jugs
- Dimensions: 15.3 × 12 × 4.2 inches
- Weight: 2.1 lbs.
Pros
- The yellow color aids easy tracking
- The balls are compatible with the Jugs pitching machine, and it simulates actual pitches during practice
- The balls are suitable for toss and tee drills
- The sponge-like texture is suitable for indoor use
- The ball does not sting when it hits the player
- The ball is lightweight and durable
- The weighted balls have limited flight, and they are suitable for use without a hitting net
- The ball is suitable for players of all ages
Cons
- The synthetic seams do not allow for a good grip and feel
12
Bownet Softball Spinner Trainers
Bownet softball spinner trainers are a training aid for pitchers. The ball has raised seams that improve the grip, and genuine leather makes the ball durable and sturdy. The ball has a yellow optic cover that is easy to find. The size of the ball is 14 inches. It is suitable for pitchers, and there is a one-year manufacturer warranty
Key Features:
- Optic yellow cover
- Raised seams
- 14 inches size
- Genuine leather
Specification:
- Brand: Bownet
- Dimensions: 5 × 5 × 5 inches
- Weight: 1 lb.
Pros
- The yellow optic cover makes it easy to track the ball
- The raised seams improve grip and feel
- The leather improves durability
- There is a one-year warranty on the ball
- It develops spin and enhances pitch control
Cons
- Suitable for pitchers only
13
Flair Sports – Weighted Training Heavy Balls for Hitting and Pitching
Flair sports weighted training balls are suitable for hitting and pitching. They are neon orange in color, and they stimulate vision. The balls are from high-quality PVC material, and they are one pound in weight. The balls come in a pack of 9, and they are 3 inches each in diameter. The ball builds power and strength, and they are suitable for arm exercises and tee work. The weighted balls give instant feedback because they don’t travel far if they are not hit properly. The balls are suitable for indoor and outdoor training, and they have an air valve for easy pumping when the ball gets deflated. The balls are durable and ideal for players of all levels.
Key Features:
- PVC material
- Neon orange color
- 3 inches diameter
- Air valve
Specification:
- Brand: Flair Sports
- Package Dimensions: 9.53 × 9.53 × 3.11 inches
- Weight: One lb.
Pros
- High quality, durable balls from PVC material
- The balls are neon orange in color. This color stimulates vision and is easy to track
- The balls are suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- It is ideal for both pitchers and batters
- There is instant feedback that helps improve player’s performance. The ball does not travel far if it is hit wrongly
- The balls build power and strength through the soft and front toss feature
- The balls are suitable for tee work and arm exercises
- There is an air valve for pumping the ball
- The balls come in a pack of 9
- It is ideal for players of all levels
Cons
- There is no warranty
Buying Guide Questions
Below are answers to frequently asked questions regarding softball practice balls.
How can I practice softball at home?
Softball skills include pitching, fielding, catching, batting, running, etc. Practicing softball at home improves these skills. Practicing softball involves drills such as a ball in a hand drill, stride over hurdle drill, grip, and stance, slapping footwork, etc. You can check out Fun Indoor Softball Drills
Are Wiffle balls good for batting practice?
Wiffle balls are small balls, and they provide training that improves swing, hand-eye coordination, reflexes, and player’s response time.
How do you practice hitting softball?
There are two types of softball which are slowpitch and fastpitch softball. There are different drills for practicing hitting. Fastpitch hitting drills are the lawnmower drill, getting the right grip drill, etc. these drills work out muscles, keeping the players fit and equipping them with skills that improve their performance
How can I get better at softball fast?
Getting better at softball involves consistent practice. One of the things to practice is grip. Gripping the bat with enough pressure from your fingers with your dominant hand over the weaker one and keeping the wrists loose helps the control. Another thing to work on is your stance. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, your weight centered, and your bat on your shoulders. The proper posture improves your swing. Other things to focus on are keeping your eyes on the ball and swinging with your hips. For other softball positions, focus on touching the base, catch the ball with two hands whenever possible to prevent the ball from rolling out.
How do you catch a softball without fear?
Players can overcome their fear of catching softball by practicing drills that increase their confidence. Use practice balls instead of traditional balls because they make pitching and throwing less hazardous. Some catcher drills for improving player’s confidence include fly ball drill, basic fielding drill, etc.
How do you hit a softball for beginners?
Beginners need to learn the fundamentals of hitting a ball. The fundamentals include the stance, approach, watching the ball, stride, and swing. The feet should be shoulder-width apart, with the feet in a straight line and the toes pointing towards the home plate for the batter’s stance. The hips and shoulders should be in a straight line, pointing towards the pitcher. The batters approach refers to the loading process. During the loading process, the batter should shift their weight back and use their body to move the hands. Another fundamental process is watching the ball. Watching the ball helps a player know to swing at the ball. The stride a player takes before hitting the ball should be as small as possible. The ankle bone should be straight and toward the target. During swings, a player should be in the proper stance, load the body, take a stride and rotate the back foot, hips and shoulders. The bat should swing while the shoulders turn all the way around to the opposite shoulder.
Is Wiffle Ball bad for your swing?
Wiffle ball is suitable for your swing because it is small, and it helps to improve basic hitting skills.
How does a Wiffle ball work?
A Wiffle ball is a perforated plastic ball and a variant of baseball. A wiffle ball has eight holes which are ¾ inch in size, and they cover one-half of the ball’s surface area while the other half has no holes. The ball is suitable for both indoor and outdoor practice. Wiffle ball is versatile because it is ideal for curve, slider, changeup, screwball, riser, or drop, depending on the grip, arm angle, and pitch speed. The path of a wiffle ball depends on its net force, which is a factor of the internal and external forces acting on the ball. The holes on the ball contribute to the external force because they increase turbulence causing less drag and an upward lift. The air rushing into the holes of the ball creates vortices that change a ball’s direction. These vortices contribute to the internal force. A faster pitch has an internal force more significant than the external force.
What is harder, a baseball or a softball?
Although softball and baseball have many similarities, the smaller field in softball gives the player a shorter reaction time and a shorter distance. In softball, speed is vital, while in baseball, endurance is essential.
Conclusion
Softball practice balls improve player’s skills with consistent training. The best softballs for practice are reviewed in this article. Do well to follow through to select the one that suits your preferences.