Slapper batting strategy

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Feb 13, 2015
164
18
I've always instructed DD when batting to take the first pitch unless she absolutely loves it, swing at the strike 1 pitch if she thinks she can hit it, swing at the strike 2 pitch if she isn't positive it will be a ball.

She just moved to the left side and started slapping this summer. Wondering if she should swing at more first pitches now that she is slapping. The first "take" gives away that she's a slapper because of her step through motion? When slapping, she can hit a lot of low pitches, but not hard solid hits.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
Many times pitch #1 is the best pitch a batter will see. Once its 0-1 its the pitcher's pitch you start seeing. AS they get older the pitchers get better, you can't routinely give away a strike on every at bat, if nothing else have your dd look for a half, inner or outer and key on that.

As for now that she is slapping, I say the same thing. Look for a zone and hit it if its there.

I have actually told my lefty dd to do the walk through on pitch one if she is taking, let them think she is a slapper. She won't do it.
 
Feb 15, 2016
273
18
I've always instructed DD when batting to take the first pitch unless she absolutely loves it, swing at the strike 1 pitch if she thinks she can hit it, swing at the strike 2 pitch if she isn't positive it will be a ball.

She just moved to the left side and started slapping this summer. Wondering if she should swing at more first pitches now that she is slapping. The first "take" gives away that she's a slapper because of her step through motion? When slapping, she can hit a lot of low pitches, but not hard solid hits.

Not really sure what she is giving away by showing she is a slapper on the first pitch. It isn't really a secret is it?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I can tell who is slapping when they step into the box, I would not worry about giving it away.

Never really worked with a slapper but her current phosily seems to translate just fine to me.

Plus even though I am old I still can remember an inning or 2 back. Heck sometimes I even remember previous games.
 
Last edited:
Jul 16, 2008
1,520
48
Oregon
I can tell who is slapping when they step into the box, I would not worry about giving it away.

Never really worked with a slapper but her current phosily seems to translate just fine to me.

Plus even though I am old I still can remember an inning or 2 back. Heck sometimes I even remember previous games.

Heck even at 18 some of our infielders don't react to where the batter is in the box. No matter how many times I tell them... Ummm ladies, lets go into our slapper defense hahaha
 
Sep 17, 2009
1,637
83
I was always taught and tried to teach that a GREAT slapper in particular a lead-off slapper will have as part of her job seeing a lot of pitches. she should work for a walk and if she gets to two strikes foul off any pitch she can't handle until she gets that walk or a pitch she can handle. great slappers strike out once or two per season and help their teammates following her in the lineup to figure out the pitcher by have 9, 10 pitch at bats. they also have crazy speed so that any ball put in play to the infield is a tough, tough out and the infield is under tremendous pressure...

at least that's the way I used to see slapping taught "in the old days" (ie, 6-8 years ago). it seems lately (in the midwest) we don't see very many really great slappers who follow that template, it pains me to say....
 
Jul 16, 2008
1,520
48
Oregon
I've seen many more triple threats nowdays. Bring your infield IN, they bloop it over their heads, keep the infield back, they drag bunt or a slow roller, bring the outfield in playing for those bloops, they boom one over their heads.

The best slappers now can read the defense and react to what is given them... one thing they have in common.... they are crazy fast!
 

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