Switch hitter

CoachJD · Mar 8, 2018

I guess my question for the stubborn coaches would be asking why they want her to bat righty at all. What benefit is to be gained?

If it's true that platoon splits don't exist in softball (I haven't seen this data, but I believe it to be true), the lefty -- especially if she's fast -- has the advantage. If the individual hitter is equal or better from the left side, there is no logical reason to bat right-handed. There are no situations where, all things being equal, I'd rather have a RH batter up to bat. I guess, uh, it's slightly easier to steal third with a RH hitter? That's about it.

Chris Delorit · Mar 8, 2018

coach james said:
What are your thoughts on this?
A student is struggling at the plate due to poor mechanics that we cant seem to break. So, with her being the amazing, super strong and fast athlete that she is, we moved her to the left side a few months ago. No bad habits to break, and is showing massive progress. Her Zepp data shows better numbers on the left... Her parents and I agreed, she's a lefty now. Period! Don't look back. 100% lefty! (triple threat! can slap and power hit!!)
Travel ball coach says its situational and wants her going back and forth.... HS coach says the same.
I don't want the poor right side mechanics creaping over into her left side after we've spent so much time building it up.
Thoughts, suggestions???

Loaded frustration. Please consider the 24hr rule before posting.

mmeece · Mar 9, 2018

My criteria for making the switch permanent is/are pretty simple. If she's not an elite power hitter from the right side and doesn't appear to have the potential to be one, then the decision to move to the left side is simple if she also has the speed to make her an effective slapper.

PNWdad · Mar 9, 2018

mmeece said:
My criteria for making the switch permanent is/are pretty simple. If she's not an elite power hitter from the right side and doesn't appear to have the potential to be one, then the decision to move to the left side is simple if she also has the speed to make her an effective slapper.

THIS!

Sounds like a very easy choice to stay lefty.

Westwind · Mar 9, 2018

My suggestion to illuminate this for the coaches is to survey really good college teams and note how many right hand thrower/left hand batters are on their rosters. That should lead into the fact that if there is a single switch hitter in college I am unaware of her.

quincy · Mar 9, 2018

I am with everyone else, pick a side and stick with it.

It is interesting both her HCs have the same opinion.

coach james · Mar 9, 2018

Apparently the head coach at her HS has literally been the head coach from the beginning. 25 years she's been at the helm. Funny thing is, the 2 former players who went onto SEC schools and one in the NPF.... Both of them transferred out of that school and went elsewhere because of this lady. She is an old school, bully type coach. At the parent meeting last night she made it clear that she was not flexible and she would cut any girls who didn't pitch, bat, or play D her way.
This girl's mom is most likely going to pull her DD off this team. She described a looping cast swing as correct mechanics and that's the way college girls do it.... Nope

coach james · Mar 9, 2018

Chris Delorit said:
Loaded frustration. Please consider the 24hr rule before posting.

This is good advise, Chris.... However, it's been a week now. There was 3 days of trying to resolve the issue prior to the OP

Switch hitter

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