Baseball swing vs. Softball swing?

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Feb 7, 2013
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I think that Howard has always talked about the differences in anatomy.

And therefore he teaches a different swing based on gender (perceived?) differences.

My personal opinion is that there is no real difference in swing mechanics between baseball and softball. As an anecdote, I have several friends who played college and/or semi pro baseball who now play men's adult fast pitch and somehow they can hit the crap out of the ball with their "baseball" swings!
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
My only anecdote is that I often coach baseball and softball players together in a cage. They all seem to hit well.
 
Nov 18, 2015
1,585
113
Our league brought in a former D1 softball player for a coaches clinic. I don't think she was asked specifically about baseball vs softball swings, but did mention something to the effect that a baseball swing was too long, and that in softball, you didn't have as much time to react (therefore the softball swing had to be quicker/shorter to the ball).

She would be right (maybe), if hitters waited until ball release to start their swing. But as far as I know, there was no rule preventing a hitter from starting their swing earlier.

So unfortunately - seems like the myth of different swings for different sports lives on.



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Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Our league brought in a former D1 softball player for a coaches clinic. I don't think she was asked specifically about baseball vs softball swings, but did mention something to the effect that a baseball swing was too long, and that in softball, you didn't have as much time to react (therefore the softball swing had to be quicker/shorter to the ball).

What would need to change, in her opinion, to make a baseball swing quicker/shorter to the ball?
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
Our league brought in a former D1 softball player for a coaches clinic. I don't think she was asked specifically about baseball vs softball swings, but did mention something to the effect that a baseball swing was too long, and that in softball, you didn't have as much time to react (therefore the softball swing had to be quicker/shorter to the ball).

She would be right (maybe), if hitters waited until ball release to start their swing. But as far as I know, there was no rule preventing a hitter from starting their swing earlier.

So unfortunately - seems like the myth of different swings for different sports lives on.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would really question the knowledge of this person with regards to a "baseball swing" when you critique the swings of MLB Players. IMO, a "Long Swing" can be found at every level of softball and baseball though we know that the higher a player climbs, the fewer poor swinging players survive.
 
Jan 6, 2009
6,591
113
Chehalis, Wa
Michelle Smith said baseball hitters like Wade Boggs hit better against her because he had a flatter swing.

Boggs had lower hands, like Carew, like Ted Wiliams. Hitters like Boggs are contact guys and that is the fastpitch game, contact.

I have video of Pujols breaking down trying to hit Finch. His timing and swing broke down. Ugly looking.

The games are different. In fastpitch you only have to hit the ball 200 ft for a HR. You can fungo one 200 ft.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Michelle Smith said baseball hitters like Wade Boggs hit better against her because he had a flatter swing.

Boggs had lower hands, like Carew, like Ted Wiliams. Hitters like Boggs are contact guys and that is the fastpitch game, contact.

I have video of Pujols breaking down trying to hit Finch. His timing and swing broke down. Ugly looking.

The games are different. In fastpitch you only have to hit the ball 200 ft for a HR. You can fungo one 200 ft.

I doubt Michelle Smith faced enough MLB hitters to come to any scientifically valid conclusions. I'm not saying Smith is wrong in her beliefs, just saying that her argument is more theoretical and anecdotal than scientific. I could also argue if it's easier to reach HR distance (softball), as you say, then the more valuable it would be to elevate the ball. If it's no trouble reaching the fence, then might as well hit up so those balls will go OVER the fence and not just TO the fence. Might also argue that since a softball field is smaller and there's less outfield to cover that line drives are more likely right at somebody in softball. But there's no defense for the 215-foot fly ball on a 200-foot fence.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
On the Zepp, an ideal bat angle for baseball is 15-20 degrees upward... however in the fastpitch settings it suggests closer to a 5-10 degree. just sayin....
I believe the OP had a coach eluding to this...flatter swing plane hits flat pitches easier than an uppercutting swing plane. If the pitch trajectory is falling at a -15 degree angle wouldn't it make perfect sense to have an upward swing path of 15 degrees?
If the angles match each other, the hitting zone (margin for error in timing) is huge. If the swing is uppercutting on a flat pitch, the hitting zone is now reduced to the width of the bat.
This is what I believe the coach was talking about, I'm assuming he felt as though the OP's dd has too much of an upward swing plane
 

rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
a baseball swing was too long
A baseball swing that is 'to long' are hitters that strike out a lot.
How would Smith explain this hitter:
HoloinGS.gif
 

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