Thoughts on Slashing

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Sep 1, 2014
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Slashing is a great move to setup a bunt. Keeps 3rd and 1st from crashing down so far that a bunt is useless. Got to keep them guessing.

Key to doing is well is show real early then read the defense. If the defense crashed hard pull back early and smoke um, (3rd base doesn't want to eat it), if the defense is thinking fake bunt and hangs back then bunt. It is like in Football when you have to read a linebacker to know to cut in or take the edge. Let the defense dictate what you do to maximize your advantage.
Not a fan of this reason - I would hate for a 3rd baseman to crash and the batter pull back and kill her. I am ok with the obvious timing slash but to try to fool them and smoke them...no place for that in Softball (my DD plays some third). Irresponsible coaching to do that in my opinion.
 
Aug 20, 2017
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You can mix in some slash bunting but I do it for two reasons: 1.) Helps the hitter get some movement on the pitcher, running start, loose muscles. 2.) Some hitters like slashing because it helps get them on plane with the pitch (whether that’s true or not)
 
Nov 16, 2017
406
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Not a fan of this reason - I would hate for a 3rd baseman to crash and the batter pull back and kill her. I am ok with the obvious timing slash but to try to fool them and smoke them...no place for that in Softball (my DD plays some third). Irresponsible coaching to do that in my opinion.

Smoke them doesn't mean hit them, it means hit it past them. Preferable on the ground. I have seen girls (if they think a bunt is coming) play within 15 feet of the plate. The only recourse to this is to turn and hit it. If a defender is going to play that far up to take away a bunt what other option do you have than to swing.

You teach your first baseman and 3rd properly. Meaning if the girls shows real early and looks like a fake bunt you move in at about half speed = to about where the pitcher is. From there, if they show late you can crash, it also gives you the same distance away as a pitcher. You teach them that if the batter pulls back they are to stop in a very athletic position with their glove up. Hate the 3rd base glove on the ground crap.

The problem is not the hitter pulling back and hitting but teaching 3rd to crash in to within 15 to 20 feet of a batter just because they showed bunt. That is the irresponsible coaching part.
 
Sep 1, 2014
85
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Smoke them doesn't mean hit them, it means hit it past them. Preferable on the ground. I have seen girls (if they think a bunt is coming) play within 15 feet of the plate. The only recourse to this is to turn and hit it. If a defender is going to play that far up to take away a bunt what other option do you have than to swing.

You teach your first baseman and 3rd properly. Meaning if the girls shows real early and looks like a fake bunt you move in at about half speed = to about where the pitcher is. From there, if they show late you can crash, it also gives you the same distance away as a pitcher. You teach them that if the batter pulls back they are to stop in a very athletic position with their glove up. Hate the 3rd base glove on the ground crap.

The problem is not the hitter pulling back and hitting but teaching 3rd to crash in to within 15 to 20 feet of a batter just because they showed bunt. That is the irresponsible coaching part.

Two different things here. If 3rd is playing too close then they need to be ready for a hit ball. I agree with this. You said show bunt and if their fielder crashes, then smoke them. I disagree with this. What if it doesn’t get past her cleanly? What if it lines into the 3rd baseman’s head? Would you rationalize it as the other coach should ‘t have taught the fielder to crash. If you are the coach knowingly teaching to show bunt to draw in and then smoke them then I believe you shouldn’t be coaching. This is the definition of irresponsible coaching. Just too risky a strategy in my opinion.
 
Nov 16, 2017
406
63
Two different things here. If 3rd is playing too close then they need to be ready for a hit ball. I agree with this. You said show bunt and if their fielder crashes, then smoke them. I disagree with this. What if it doesn’t get past her cleanly? What if it lines into the 3rd baseman’s head? Would you rationalize it as the other coach should ‘t have taught the fielder to crash. If you are the coach knowingly teaching to show bunt to draw in and then smoke them then I believe you shouldn’t be coaching. This is the definition of irresponsible coaching. Just too risky a strategy in my opinion.

So you never show bunt early then? You don't want to see how the defense reacts? Besides the slash hit is not a full on swing, it is an attempt to get the ball up the middle where 2nd and SS have vacated too early. I guarantee you that if the corners are over crashing then 2nd and short are moving to their bags too early leaving a gigantic holes.

Sure I used the words smoke them and I think that may have offended your sensibilities, but It was never intended to mean hit at a girl just means past them.

We don't play in a vacuum, I would approach the opposing coach and inform him that my girls will turn and hit if his corners over crash.

Do your teams bunt?, and what do you do if they over crash?, just abandon bunting?

 
Last edited:
Nov 18, 2015
1,585
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Besides the slash hit is not a full on swing, it is an attempt to get the ball up the middle where 2nd and SS have vacated too early.

Just a suggestion - but it may be helpful in the future to offer this definition a little earlier in the conversation. Although, it sounds like you have the luxury of coaching extremely talented hitters if they can not only put it on the ground at will, but hit the ball up the middle when needed as well.

For me, 10U All-Star/C level, I've been teaching 2 steps in when they square, crash only if they're still squared @ ball release. There's only been a handful of bunt attempts this summer, so it's a very limited sample size to try and determine the validity of this approach for our team. I expect we'll see a lot more bunts once we start playing more "C" tournaments in the fall.
 
May 12, 2016
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My DD is small in stature but has been hitting in the middle of the lineup most of her life. 3rd base always plays in on her... she never bunts and pulls the ball hard. Out of concern our 3rd base coach actually tells the other teams coach she's not bunting.. I actually respect that. I know it's competitive ball, but not worth seeing somebody stretchered off the field. If they still play her in throughout the game, then so be it. They tend to get the picture when she lines one 2 feet above their head.

I agree with others that 3rd base should be coached properly... however what if they aren't? Is it worth it to see a kid end up in hospital?
 

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