Just a Reminder: 'Bama v Georgia tonight at 8pm on ESPN

[redhotcoach]

I was just watching next game on dvr. Mendoza gets props from me on her discussion in this one. They brought up a couple of girls that are known for long homerun bp shows. Jess' points (basically):
They both have long powerful bp swings.
Does you little good against high velocity pitching.
With new FP bats you don't have to be a big basher, you have a short, quick, sudden swing. Girls are homering by just making contact.

 

[CoogansBluff]

I was just watching next game on dvr. Mendoza gets props from me on her discussion in this one. They brought up a couple of girls that are known for long homerun bp shows. Jess' points (basically):
They both have long powerful bp swings.
Does you little good against high velocity pitching.
With new FP bats you don't have to be a big basher, you have a short, quick, sudden swing. Girls are homering by just making contact.

Which begs this question -

If someone suggests that the fastpitch swing and baseball swing are different on this board, they'll be run out of town.

But could the following argument be made:

In softball, powerful bats and short fences make it easier to hit for power. Therefore, it is more important in fastpitch merely to meet the ball squarely, that the bats and the fences will do the rest. Therefore, it is not as necessary to master the power-producing aspects of a swing - stretch and fire, forward by coil. There also might be danger in any movements that might add power but make it harder to square (ie, long stride). But it is more important to master the control aspects of the swing - turn the barrel.

 

[redhotcoach]

If someone suggests that the fastpitch swing and baseball swing are different on this board, they'll be run out of town.

My nephew who is a good 18u baseball player came to one of our games yesterday. He said, "how do they hit? You have no time or distance to read the pitch."

IMO opionion it is important to get coiling down. It is what makes the swing 0-100 in .001 seconds. The rear hip/leg and hands working together to snap the barrel into the zone suddenly.

I won't say that the baseball and softball swing are different. I will say softball I believe that the aspects of being sudden and short to are more important overall in softball. MOST girls I see hitting at 14/16U are breaking down. Only way they can make contact is swing there arms with light bats, so they are weak and inconsistent.

 

[coachbob]

Which begs this question -

If someone suggests that the fastpitch swing and baseball swing are different on this board, they'll be run out of town.

But could the following argument be made:

In softball, powerful bats and short fences make it easier to hit for power. Therefore, it is more important in fastpitch merely to meet the ball squarely, that the bats and the fences will do the rest. Therefore, it is not as necessary to master the power-producing aspects of a swing - stretch and fire, forward by coil. There also might be danger in any movements that might add power but make it harder to square (ie, long stride). But it is more important to master the control aspects of the swing - turn the barrel.

DFP blasphemy right there; haha. Why not develop both? Also, aren't you more susceptible to the off speed if you are pre-coiled and static? Just asking, really. For my kid at 12u, I like developing the power moves, but giving her a precoiled, quiet strike-two swing too. Man, I do see little tiny kids pounding the ball far with their $350.00 Makos.

 

[smddad]

Game 3 on now, ESPU. By the way knights, Georgia pitcher wearing a mask, add another one to your thread.

So was the men's pitcher as I was watching a USSSA slowpitch tournament on the TV yesterday. He had on a full helmet with mask. Maybe he doesn't trust his fielding abilities. Or....maybe he just wants to go home to his family after the game.

 

[petricca413]

Does anyone have a close-up videos of Alex Hugo hitting? I would like to share her power mechanics with my softball hitters.

 

[redhotcoach]

Does anyone have a close-up videos of Alex Hugo hitting? I would like to share her power mechanics with my softball hitters.

Haha...It was raining here last night so I spent about an hour on Georgia's all access video page looking for a good swing to gif. There are several on there, but most are from behind with a lower quality camera.

 

[petricca413]

Thanks for trying. I have contacted the SID at Georgia for a video. If she sends a video, I will post it.

 

[SoCalASABlue]

The Georgia pitcher wearing the mask was the assistant coach's daughter...guess he doesn't think it's a crutch...

 

[coachbob]

Does anyone have a close-up videos of Alex Hugo hitting? I would like to share her power mechanics with my softball hitters.

I looked around and couldn't find anything to make a gif from. If you find a clip, let me know and I will make the gif.