Are Home Runs Miss Hits?

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Apr 16, 2013
1,113
83
It's good to have a plan and intent when going to the plate. I am very happy that she has found an approach that works for her. She hits 70% of the balls over the fence during batting practice, that's amazing! Of course I understand if you don't answer this, but how old is your DD and have you ever posted a video of her swing on here during batting practice?
She just turned 16, and yes I've posted in the technical forum.
 
Apr 16, 2013
1,113
83
They may not get it. Turn machine up to 55 plus and tell her to swing and miss over the ball. When she hits it she will be surprised.
I know I've said this more than once on here, but don't use a single wheeled machine for softball practice. It puts backspin on the ball, ala riseball. You've got to use a 3-wheeled machine in order to put a light forward spin on the ball to replicate a fastpitch fastball. As well, the 3 wheeled machine allows you to see the ball rolling down the chute so as to "time the pitcher" so to say. The camp my DD attended a few weeks ago at a higher level D1 uses this in their batting cage, well one station at least.
 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
look to hit fastballs oppo, and pull off-speed,
hit line drives, and don't roll wrists.

Occasionally, you will "mis-hit" one over the fence.
 
May 15, 2008
1,913
113
Cape Cod Mass.
Trying to hit the inside of the ball should produce more hits to right field (RH hitter). Trying to hit the outside of the ball more hits to left. Trying to make contact on a specific spot on the ball can change swing mechanics. It stands to reason that trying to hit the bottom half of the ball might produce a more down to up swing path and a better launch angle. There is a difference between trying to hit the bottom of the ball and trying to hit backspin. Trying to hit a spot on the bottom of the ball might work as long as the hitter drives the bathead through the ball. Put a ball on a tee, ask a hitter to hit the bottom half and you probably get backspin. Put a spot on the bottom half of the ball. ask a hitter to hit the spot 'square' and you'll probably get a bit more of an uppercut.

When the brain underestimates the speed of a pitch it calculates more drop and typically the player swings under the ball. When the brain overestimates the speed of the pitch it will calculate less drop and the player will swing over the ball. We've all seen it, players tend to swing over the slower pitches and under the faster ones. High fastball, low change up.
 
Jan 6, 2009
6,588
113
Chehalis, Wa
The HR do dead center on Tuesday from Aaron Judge didn't look like he miss hit it :)

HR from Tuesday,

giphy.gif
 
Jul 29, 2013
1,199
63
When A hitter is out matched (speed) swing over the ball works. I don't like it but it works.
If a hitter is overmatched (speed) the ball doesn't fall as far because it's in the air for a shorter period of time. So swinging "over the ball" works because the over matched hitter is used to a slower ball that will fall further.
 
Jul 29, 2013
1,199
63
She's worked at being a home run hitter from the start of softball. She's always concentrated on trying to hit the bottom of the ball. Not saying it always works, but yes, she's always trying to hit the bottom of the ball.
I'm with you. When my daughter was working on her swing she focused in hitting the ball 1" below center of the ball. During BP on a field, the mistakes were the ones that didn't go over the fence. On a good day, the coach would pitch a dozen per round. She'd typically go 12 for 12, all over the field. We worked on homers from the start. Upward swing plane, bottom half of the ball. Hitting the ball below center added backspin and helped create lift. If she swung over the ball, the top spin would eat up an infielder and the ball never stayed up long enough to be in the air for an outfielder.
She did have one problem going from 30 ft. front toss to game speed. She was always under the ball. She started doing the on-deck drill that you see the UL hitters do, where they rotate the bat beneath their hands. It fooled her brain into thinking the bat would swing lower and so she kept her hands a little higher. Problem solved.
 
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