All you need are power hitters in your lineup

ez_softball · Apr 21, 2018

justanotherguy said:
So, why does the power hitter automatically have to be a big, fat girl?

It doesn't... IME most of the more athletic girls have less power at younger ages but as they age they catch up. My daughter is 16yo, 5'7" and a whopping 120#'s, she is one of the most powerful bats on HS and on TB teams. She is top 2 or 3 in almost every offensive category. With that being said at 10U and even first year 12U she was a great contact hitter but lacked the power of many of the larger girls. Again, it's not a hard and fast rule but at younger ages most of the "power hitters" are the "larger girls".

justanotherguy · Apr 21, 2018

So, to me, the question either needs refinement, or we don't need to make assumptions. We could have a team full of pure power hitters that are still extremely capable fielders. Plus, strong pitchers seem to come in all shapes and sizes.

KPower · Apr 21, 2018

Just to add to my previous post...DD now plays on a team where all but 3 (out of 11) girls have put a ball over. Not one of the girls on the team is what you would consider a big, heavy girl. DD (smallest on the team) is one who has not put one over, but she has now hit the fence 2x and had a one hopper over so I know she is close. I would never assume at this age that only a big girl can put the ball over...that is just silly - and has gotten teams in trouble when they play DD’s team.

I still stand by my previous post that without depth in pitching a team will not consistently make it deep in tourneys - no matter how great their hitters.

Hube111 · Apr 21, 2018

Power slumps, speed does not.

Josh Greer · Apr 21, 2018

Power in all pitching locations? Keep the ball on the low side of the zone, and you sort of take the power out of the game, assuming the defense can field it. So yea, I think a defense can compensate for any offense, if the skill levels are similar. Otherwise, aren't you just saying that the better team has a better chance of beating the weaker team?

Tango · Apr 22, 2018

12U team played in 14U division and both teams with a lose. Championship tie breaker and their teams a lot bigger and slower. They get the runner to third but don't score. We put a great base runner on second (really good!) and she takes third on a fake bunt. Put the bunt down ballgame. A little different than the original question. The girl on second can hit and a righty. The slapper/bunter is probably our second best pure hitter.

CMMom1740 · Apr 22, 2018

I don't know; I think small ball experts have their place too. Speed is so important. DD is a power hitter, but she is a lollygagger (as my husband likes to call it). Yesterday, she put down a GREAT bunt and actually was safe at first. She was utterly shocked. Power hitters with speed is probably what you want to be safe. If you go yard every time you hit, you don't need speed, but otherwise...

Battle · Apr 22, 2018

WARRIORMIKE said:
Prove me wrong .....

Actually I agree as long as they are hitting with power in the games, can lay down a bunt when needed, and have a decent D. Power hitters come in all shapes and sizes so it is possible to have speed as well and 200ft is 200ft no matter what size you are. Now, if you are asking do I think a team of power hitters with an average home to first speed of 5 seconds would be good...well...that's different.

murphdog · Apr 22, 2018

KPower said:
Just to add to my previous post...DD now plays on a team where all but 3 (out of 11) girls have put a ball over. Not one of the girls on the team is what you would consider a big, heavy girl. DD (smallest on the team) is one who has not put one over, but she has now hit the fence 2x and had a one hopper over so I know she is close. I would never assume at this age that only a big girl can put the ball over...that is just silly - and has gotten teams in trouble when they play DD’s team.

I still stand by my previous post that without depth in pitching a team will not consistently make it deep in tourneys - no matter how great their hitters.

My DD is the second smallest on her HS team and is the only one to put one over so far this season.
She’s a medium height small built lefty, they always assume she’ll slap or bunt but she rarely does anymore

CoachJD · Apr 23, 2018

Hube111 said:
Power slumps, speed does not.

Show your work.

All you need are power hitters in your lineup

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