Struggling to hit slow pitching ????

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May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
Justanotherdad, I couldn't have said it better myself.

I would suggest getting her to the best hitting coach around, if she is serious about the game. Don't despair, hers is a common problem.

If you are trying to help her yourself, get her 6 each of the Total Control Sports balls (avoid the hugest ones) and throw varying speeds to her, from front toss.
 
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
So, I can't really tell you what to do or anything like that, but if you are using a machine for a good majority of batting practice, I would seriously consider taking it the nearest dumpster and getting rid of it. If you must use it for anything keep it for bunting and for defense drills.

Anyone interested in tossing their pitching machine in the dumpster is welcome to contact me and make a charitable contribution.
 
Sep 29, 2010
165
0
I wish I had a toungue in cheek emoticon...I obviously don't seriously recommend you throw it away. But yes if anyone wants to throw one away, I will gladly take it and Ebay it! Hahah.

And Yes Amy!!! I can not recommend the TCB balls enough. One of the best products I have ever used during my short time as a softball parent. And I have used A LOT of different devices, doodads and contraptions.
 
May 13, 2008
831
16
Here is some advice from Howard...

Timing is missing from most instruction in my opinion and it starts off the tee. Showing them a good grip so they can control the bat at contact. This contact only last about 2 milliseconds and probably only an area of about 12 inches give or take a few inches.

Face the fire drill gives a sense of timing as they are moving their body while trying to hit and this gives the hitter a sense of rhythm.

Then working off a tee by looking forward and tracking the ball to the tee using our method of EEEEEE, R. This is loading on the EEEEE and separate to toe touch on the R and then swinging. Explaining the EEEEEE is the K position of the pitcher and when we start to load and at the release is our R or separate to toe touch. Explaining the time frame is what needs to be explained to the hitter.

Blink your eyes twice as fast as you can and that equals about one second. Lets take Finch as an example as she comes from the top of the K position to release in about .11 to .16 and them after release it crosses home plate in about .24 to .28 hundredths of a second. That is about the blink of an eye! If the body is not moving or what we say dancing with the pitcher your timing WILL be off!

This is why we use the half full bottle of water to give them a sense of movement and what is termed a body in motion so at toe touch their bodies are still moving forward. Many of the timing issues and keeping the body moving can be seen when the front foot heel is planted too hard and or not allowing for there to be a soft heel.

The soft toss from the side is also an opportunity for timing and usually no one explains lowering the hand is EEEEE and the upward release is R.

The Barry Bonds drill is the best I have ever used for timing and getting them to create what I call a swing DNA as they must adjust after every swing.
 
Sep 29, 2010
165
0
Here is some advice from Howard...

Those numbers can't be right, can they? If her ball crosses home from release in .24 to .28 seconds and if I am generous and give her 33 ft from release point to home plate (I doubt she strides 10 ft off the rubber, but what do I know) that would still have her pitching at more than 80 Miles Per Hour.

She doesn't pitch 80 MPH does she? Last number I heard is her top speed is 70 MPH but cruising speed is in the 60's.

Am I misunderstanding Howard?
 
Oct 19, 2009
1,827
0
The post from cshift with Howard’s suggestions makes some great points. Timing is definitely missing from many hitting instruction, along with working on vision and the mental part of hitting. Good mechanics can take you a long way, but to hit the best pitchers you need to be a complete hitter, with good mental preparation, vision, timing to go along with good mechanics.

The bonds drill works, when we go to the batting cage and hit different speeds we do the Bonds drill at different speeds from 40 – 70 MPH.
 
May 13, 2008
831
16
Those numbers can't be right, can they? If her ball crosses home from release in .24 to .28 seconds and if I am generous and give her 33 ft from release point to home plate (I doubt she strides 10 ft off the rubber, but what do I know) that would still have her pitching at more than 80 Miles Per Hour.

She doesn't pitch 80 MPH does she? Last number I heard is her top speed is 70 MPH but cruising speed is in the 60's.

Am I misunderstanding Howard?

According to the math I have, I don't think the numbers are right either. The point, however, remains... there isn't a lot of time to react to the incoming pitch.
 
Sep 17, 2009
1,637
83
The soft toss from the side is also an opportunity for timing and usually no one explains lowering the hand is EEEEE and the upward release is R

Thank you, yes, side toss is a huge opportunity to work on sequence, rhythm and timing. Too bad most of the time it involves coaches throwing balls sideways into the hands of the hitters who end up playing goalie.
 
Oct 19, 2009
1,827
0
Thank you, yes, side toss is a huge opportunity to work on sequence, rhythm and timing. Too bad most of the time it involves coaches throwing balls sideways into the hands of the hitters who end up playing goalie.

You’ve touched on one of my pet peeves, many times I see coaches have the girls soft toss each other and sometimes the coach does it and like you said they throw it incorrectly which can lead to poor mechanics. Drills for tee work (proper placement of the tee), soft toss, front toss, and even using a pitching machine can be bad or good depending on how it is done. :mad:

Sometimes it doesn’t take much of this to start effecting good mechanics, there is a correct way and a wrong way to do things. There is an art to it!
 
May 13, 2008
831
16
You’ve touched on one of my pet peeves...

Mine is when I see a coach doing rapid fire side toss. I think the idea is to get the hitter to speed up their swing, but all you get is a complete arm swing with virtually all mechanics thrown out the window.
 

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