I'm refinding my swing after injury

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softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
I was fairly recently cleared after fracturing my elbow and upper part of my forearm in Mid May during a high school softball game. I was sidelined for approximately three months with the injury to heal and rehab. I was asked by my private coach to play on her rec league team which is represented by an area business. But since I have been cleared, I cannot find my swing to save my life. I have been in a batting cage taking reps. I take reps in our sessions (coach says I'm progressing nicely). I'm struggling on offense in games. I don't, know if the issue is the time I was out, a timing issue, a technique issue, a combination of each or something else. I'm thinking it's more timing than anything else because when I make contact, I'm driving the ball to the gap or dropping it in front of the fielder for a base hit. But more often than not, I'm hitting it right to an infielder, a lazy pop-up to the outfield or outright swinging and missing. In my last 5 games, I'm 2 for 20 with a single, a double and 5 sac flies with 3 RBI. I wish I had video to post for you guys to look at and see what you think. But based upon the description, what could my issues be and how do I work it out?
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Give yourself time. Batting timing/feel is one of the quickest things to lose, and can be one of the hardest things to get back.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Patience, grasshopper. Practice what got you there previously and a couple thousand quality reps later you'll be back to where you left off.
 

softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
Give yourself time. Batting timing/feel is one of the quickest things to lose, and can be one of the hardest things to get back.

I know what you mean, Eric. I mean...I haven't hardly picked up a bat and swung it in three months. I almost feel at the plate like I did when I first started playing softball when I was 11. I feel like the whole offensive game is light years ahead of me. The frustrating thing is...I know I can hit. I know I can hit the ball well. I've done it before. I know I can hit the .300's and I can break the .400's at times.
 

softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
Patience, grasshopper. Practice what got you there previously and a couple thousand quality reps later you'll be back to where you left off.

I know I need patience, Greenmonsters. I'm probably putting too much pressure on myself to perform. I know can hit. The thing is too is I can feel something's not right in my swing and I sometimes start thinking about the injury when I'm at the plate batting.
 

Ken Krause

Administrator
Admin
May 7, 2008
3,911
113
Mundelein, IL
I know I can hit. I know I can hit the ball well. I've done it before. I know I can hit the .300's and I can break the .400's at times.

The most important thing you can think is right here. If you know you can hit, just accept you've been off for a little while and go out there and hit. Keep working between games to get the feel back, but once you're in the batter's box just trust yourself. See the ball, hit the ball, and don't worry about the rest.

One thing to try is run your mental DVR of your good hits from before. Think about them when you have a few moments, or at night. See yourself hitting the ball well. Feel what it felt like. Enjoy it all. My guess is you'll be back to your old self in no time.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
I know I need patience, Greenmonsters. I'm probably putting too much pressure on myself to perform. I know can hit. The thing is too is I can feel something's not right in my swing and I sometimes start thinking about the injury when I'm at the plate batting.

Your experience and thoughts are all normal and to be expected when returning from a major injury. Typically, the mental doubts and uncertainty linger for a short time after the physical healing has been completed. Your prior success is proof that you have the ability. Have confidence in yourself and trust in and follow the process that led you there. Be patient and you'll be even better than you were before this little setback!
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
Without seeing a video of your swing, it's very difficult to diagnose your problem. However, from the description of what's happening, it almost sounds like you are dropping your front elbow and sort of chopping at the ball by pulling it down versus keeping the front elbow up and pulling it to "throw" the barrel through the ball. You want to try and elbow the pitcher in the nose so to speak with that front elbow. Video yourself and watch the video, then compare it to the model swings on the Hitting technical forum sticky. that will tell you more than you need to know.
 

softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
I figured I'd update you guys from during the weekend. I think I'm slowly finding my stroke again. Friday night, I went 2 for 4 with two singles and a RBI sac fly. I batted in 4 runs in a 11-10 win in 9 innings. Saturday, I ended up going 1 for 3 with a double and a fielders choice RBI. I ended up driving in 3 in a 9-4 loss. In the afternoon, I went 1 for 2 with a single and was hit by a pitch. Saturday night, I went 1 for 1 off the bench in the seventh. I was the lone baserunner that inning. Sunday afternoon I went 1 for 3 with a single that scored 1.
 

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