Slapper speed

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Feb 8, 2017
43
0
What is the average speed from home to first of a high level D1 Slapper and what would be a good speed to be recruited as a Slapper out of high school
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Not an expert, but I would guess 2.6 - 2.8 to be an effective slapper at a P5. If the slapper can also hit with power it helps keep the defense honest and may not require as much speed because the corners cannot cheat in as much.
 
Last edited:
Mar 28, 2016
164
18
When you are timing kids from home to first (not necessarily for slappers), do you have them start in a sprinters stance behind home plate, or do you actually start the watch at contact of the ball.

I'm just wondering what is the right way to measure this speed.
 
Apr 12, 2016
316
28
Minnesota
When you are timing kids from home to first (not necessarily for slappers), do you have them start in a sprinters stance behind home plate, or do you actually start the watch at contact of the ball.

I'm just wondering what is the right way to measure this speed.

I don't know if there is wrong or right but DD's were always timed in a 20 yard dash at college camps. When I watch coaches at tournaments they often have stopwatches out and time slappers in games from contact to first.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
When you are timing kids from home to first (not necessarily for slappers), do you have them start in a sprinters stance behind home plate, or do you actually start the watch at contact of the ball.

I'm just wondering what is the right way to measure this speed.

What are you timing them for? Just to see who can run the fastest? If so, I see nothing wrong with a sprinter's stance and go.

If you're trying to figure out if your players are likely to beat out infield hits (especially for slappers), I think you have to go from contact.

IOW, at our HS tryouts next week, I'm going to time them all home to first from a sprinter's stance at home plate. I just want to compare the 20 or so girls to each other to see who's the fastest. But as our two slappers develop, I'm going to time them from contact to first because I want to see A) if they're improving on their own times and B) if they're doing well enough to beat the defense (I also need to get a read on how long it takes teams at our level of play to convert ground balls into outs).
 
Feb 8, 2017
43
0
Thanks for the comments.My DD is wanting to play D1 and I'm just looking at where she stays right now.She has the speed but has only been slapping for a year.She is also working on hitting away to help make the defense play her honest.It is truly a work in progress going from right to left.
 
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Jun 11, 2012
741
63
Thanks for the comments.My DD is wanting to play D1 and I'm just looking at where she stays right now.She has the speed but has only been slapping for a year.She is also working on hitting away to help make the defense play her honest.It is truly a work in progress going from right to left.

How old is she? DD switched from right to left at 13, the first year was rough, 2nd year was decent, last year she ended up with the 2nd highest batting average on both her HS team and her club team. The funny thing is she rarely slaps anymore, it's either bunting or hitting for power now. The point I'm trying to make is it is a process and it takes time, likley more time than most people think.
 
Mar 3, 2016
47
0
My DD took up slapping at 14, because of her speed. It took 2 years to get really proficient. She can really place the ball well, and so it is hard to defend against her. It takes patience, like anything, and a good coach who actually knows what they are doing. Lots of girls try it but many get frustrated and quit. A coach who has seen a few people do it is NOT sufficient.
 
Feb 8, 2017
43
0
My DD took up slapping at 14, because of her speed. It took 2 years to get really proficient. She can really place the ball well, and so it is hard to defend against her. It takes patience, like anything, and a good coach who actually knows what they are doing. Lots of girls try it but many get frustrated and quit. A coach who has seen a few people do it is NOT sufficient.

She is 15 now.She has a excellent Coach that have been giving her lessons.She also have taken a few lessons from India Chiles This year..She has a long way to go but should get there in the next 2-4 years.
 
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