Can a slapper use an end loaded bat?

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Mar 1, 2015
131
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My DD is in second year of 12U and has started hitting away more as she has refined her swing and developed some power. Her coach wants her to be able to swing away, soft slap or power slap depending upon the situation. Her older sister has a CF5 Insane that now fits her and she ripped the cover off the ball at practice on Sat when swinging away. Her slapping was fine, not really any different from her CF6 -10 that she uses. Her coach was ecstatic as she swung the CF5 Insane and told her to keep at it. Her hitting instructor (former NCAA player who slapped) says that is a big no no. Slappers don't use end loaded bats, and would not let her use the Insane at lessons last night.

What does the DFP think? Is her instructor limiting her opinion based upon tradition and her own capabilities (she pretty much was a slapper only)? DD really likes the Insane and said it doesn't make a difference slapping, but she feels more confident hitting away. I remember watching Raven Chavonne on ESPN a few years ago slap for a hit, bunt for a hit, and hit a HR swinging away all in the same game once.
 
Aug 29, 2011
2,584
83
NorCal
If she hits well with it and feels more confident with it, why can't she use it?
Some time "tradition" is garbage.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
We typically want our slappers to stay on top of the ball and have complete control over the bat. An end loaded bat has more potential of dropping, causing pop ups. That's the only negative I can see. However, its been said numerous times, that she should swing the heaviest bat she can swing without effecting her mechanics. If her bat head is falling, it's probably too heavy. Being versatile is a great quality, it will keep the defence guessing between each plate apperence... they won't know how to play her of she's constantly changing it up.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
I would not recommend buying an end loaded bat for a slapper, but if you have one available for "free", I do not see an issue letting her try it.
 

redhotcoach

Out on good behavior
May 8, 2009
4,706
38
We had a debate on here a couple years ago, I think it started because I was seeing more college girls using endloaded bats then balanced bats. I remember coming up with several photos and even a few slappers with slow pitch bats (26+ oz).
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
One of the slappers on our team switched from a Demarini to a Xeno this past season and now she wants a 2015 LXT. I would recommend trying a -10 Xeno before you bought an end loaded Demarini.
 

redhotcoach

Out on good behavior
May 8, 2009
4,706
38
We typically want our slappers to stay on top of the ball and have complete control over the bat. An end loaded bat has more potential of dropping, causing pop ups. That's the only negative I can see. However, its been said numerous times, that she should swing the heaviest bat she can swing without effecting her mechanics. If her bat head is falling, it's probably too heavy. Being versatile is a great quality, it will keep the defence guessing between each plate apperence... they won't know how to play her of she's constantly changing it up.

I have found the opposite, the weight of the end load, and the weight of practicing with heavy bats, keeps the barrel up. It's harder to drop the bat head and swing, so IMO the body compensates.
 

collinspc

Softball Dad
Apr 23, 2014
213
18
Pittsburgh PA
She should use what is comfortable and she has success with. If she can hit, bunt and slap with the CF5 successfully then why change.

I don't get the idea of telling the opposition what you are going to do at each at bat by using different bats to hit away or slap.

Hell by the hitting coaches logic we would all be driving horse and buggies because Henry was told we don't do assembly by assembly lines. I know, extreme example but it sounded fun in my head.
 
Mar 1, 2015
131
0
Thanks all. The bat is "free" for her to use since I paid $200+ for it about 2-3 years ago for big sister to use and now it sits in the garage :D. Her next lesson is tomorrow night and I am now a little more prepared to question the "that's the way we've always done it" mentality of the instructor. Don't get me wrong, I like the instructor, she has really done a great job of getting her LH mechanics down for slapping and hitting away. But it has been awhile since she played, not exactly sure when she played but says that she faced Monica Abbott and Cat Osterman in her NCAA career, so I would assume she's been out of college for about 10 years, maybe more? A lot has changed since then.

The Insane doesn't even feel that end loaded to me, at least not compared to a Rocket tech.
 

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