Turning your Daughter around at the plate.

[Doug Jesionowski]

Here's my dilemma, My daughter just turned 16. She's a right handed pitcher and batter. She's very quick, timed at 2.78 from the right side of the plate. Her batting average is .300-.400 through out the season. We just clocked her from the left side of the plate. Times were 2.65, 2.68, 2.56. Now comes the question of is it too late to turn her into a lefty slapper?

 

[murphdog]

We switched my daughter at 13 but she's a natural lefty who had just always batted righty because everyone else did.
She picked up hitting and bunting lefty fairly quickly, slapping took a bit longer.

I'm not sure I would do it at 16 though since it can take quite a while to all come together.

 

[nanotech14]

You would really have to ask what she is going to gain? She looks to be handling things really well from the right. She has the batting avg. and with her speed, I wouldn't change a thing, but I still might mess around a little from the left.

 

[Doug Jesionowski]

I'm not sure if it's possible to do it in such a short time. I know it depends on the ability and drive of the player. She's toyed with the idea and has done some slapping with her hitting instructor. I just don't know if any one else have done it in a short period of time? Anybody's feedback is welcome?
Thanks Doug

 

[guero_gordo]

What I know from the friend who's kid did this at 12 is that it takes full commitment for about a year.
Not sure what your/her goals are, but I'm not sure how it would pay off to be a brand-new 17yo slapper.

 

[riseball]

Is she left or right eye dominant?

 

[shelbysdad]

DD turned around a little over a year ago. She's very athletic and that helped her find some success. Drag bunting and slapping were fairly easy to become proficient at but power slapping and hitting away pretty much took a year of weekly hitting lessons. i think it depends on what you want to use her for. If you want her to bat 2nd or 3rd and move runners and be safe 1/2 of the time then flip her. If your expecting her to lead off and power slap or hit away I wouldnt.

 

[Doug Jesionowski]

She's right eye dominant

 

[ddtimes4]

Doug,

Wow - with that speed , I would see if dd will commit to the extra work. If she does, I would go for it as an additional skill.

Since she is a pitcher, I would get an elbow guard for the right elbow and a protective shield for that right hand.

I would discuss with also discuss with the coach some possible ways to work it into practices/games. It may take a while but it would be well woth it if dd gets really good at it.

Just my 2 cents. I turned mine around at a lot younger age but I started switch hitting at about this age. Good luck at what you all decide.

 

[RichK]

Have her go to one lesson with a good slapping coach if you have one in your area. Given her late start, I think you'll get a good sense if it will come naturally to her or be a struggle. At that age, if she struggles physically with the basics she'll struggle mentally too, plus pitchers will find her weaknesses pretty quickly and cause her a lot of problems....with that speed though it's worth evaluating. Good luck.