02Crush
Way past gone
Most slappers are FAST. Because of this their objective can be one of many things...
1) Get the ball to bounce super high and have the defense waiting on it to come down. (easier in college on well manicured field.. not so much of an option in TB as most fields are not as well kept)
2) Hit it up the 5/6 gap attempting to force 5 and/or 6 to make a lateral move thus slowing them down on the ability to field and get the ball to 1st before the slapper makes it safely.
3) If the defense gives you something odd or extremely unique (Example: SS and 3rd way up in their face and 2nd base staying back....) the they will try to punch it over a head or slow roll it to someone playing too deep.
A good slapper is hard to cover. I typically subscribe to the following in TB because of sandy fields with little hard bounce ability....
4 and 6 in because they are most used to unusual hops/rolls or plays on the move.
3 and 5 back as they are most used to covering the corners.
7,8 & 9 all in shortfield
I am looking to force them to beat us over our heads deep in the grass. It is playing the odds because I see this as less likely to happen in 14U and younger teams. The more Elite level of a Team you have in older ages this strategy could burn you.
1) Get the ball to bounce super high and have the defense waiting on it to come down. (easier in college on well manicured field.. not so much of an option in TB as most fields are not as well kept)
2) Hit it up the 5/6 gap attempting to force 5 and/or 6 to make a lateral move thus slowing them down on the ability to field and get the ball to 1st before the slapper makes it safely.
3) If the defense gives you something odd or extremely unique (Example: SS and 3rd way up in their face and 2nd base staying back....) the they will try to punch it over a head or slow roll it to someone playing too deep.
A good slapper is hard to cover. I typically subscribe to the following in TB because of sandy fields with little hard bounce ability....
4 and 6 in because they are most used to unusual hops/rolls or plays on the move.
3 and 5 back as they are most used to covering the corners.
7,8 & 9 all in shortfield
I am looking to force them to beat us over our heads deep in the grass. It is playing the odds because I see this as less likely to happen in 14U and younger teams. The more Elite level of a Team you have in older ages this strategy could burn you.
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