Hitting from the opposite side?

DD is right-handed but has always hit from the left side. In a post a few weeks ago, FFS had asked another member if their DD was right-handed hitting leftie (or vice versa - can't remember and now I can't find the post). It was a long thread and folks were recommending fixes, but I never saw an answer or follow up to this question.

Anyway, what was FFS getting at, and what concerns are there with a righty who hits leftie or vice versa. I realize the top hand may not be as strong, but what effects will this have on the swing?

SoGASoftball said:

DD is right-handed but has always hit from the left side. In a post a few weeks ago, FFS had asked another member if their DD was right-handed hitting leftie (or vice versa - can't remember and now I can't find the post). It was a long thread and folks were recommending fixes, but I never saw an answer or follow up to this question.Anyway, what was FFS getting at, and what concerns are there with a righty who hits leftie or vice versa. I realize the top hand may not be as strong, but what effects will this have on the swing?

Click to expand...

http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-hitting-technical/17633-comments-please-4.html
See post #36

Thanks for the link. Went back and read where the poster answered. There was no follow up. But, I'm still curious as to what effects "could" be realized by hitting from the opposite side. Thanks again.

SoGASoftball said:

Thanks for the link. Went back and read where the poster answered. There was no follow up. But, I'm still curious as to what effects "could" be realized by hitting from the opposite side. Thanks again.

Click to expand...

http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-hitting-technical/17865-comments-please-2-a.html
Not sure if this is the follow up you were looking for?

SoGASoftball said:

DD is right-handed but has always hit from the left side. In a post a few weeks ago, FFS had asked another member if their DD was right-handed hitting leftie (or vice versa - can't remember and now I can't find the post). It was a long thread and folks were recommending fixes, but I never saw an answer or follow up to this question.

Anyway, what was FFS getting at, and what concerns are there with a righty who hits leftie or vice versa. I realize the top hand may not be as strong, but what effects will this have on the swing?

Click to expand...

I remember that post it might have been that FFS just saw something that made him think she was a righty hitting from the left side but as far as turning a girl around to the left side (or dark side for all you Star Wars fans) I turned both my DD's around to the left side and being that the top hand is the weaker hand (and arm)when they first started caused them to be late to the ball because the top hand and arm were weaker so it was harder to get that hand to go through the ball at the right time (if that makes any sense what so ever) because now their bottom hand is the stronger hand. It did cause them to flip at the ball at first (slow the bottom hand to get the top hand to catchup but kinof over cooked the top hand and caused a flip of the hands(not good) but once our PC and I explained what was happening and added some weight training all was good. Hope this helps

My DD is the same, Naturally right handed but has been swinging a bat left handed since the Fisher-Price days. She does not know any better. I have done some research on this and I have come across the dominate eye theory and hand concern as you are stating. My DD swings a 21/31 normally. She does about 50 reps a day with her top hand swinging a heavier bat to extension. I see no weakness at all.

Thanks for the reply - unfortunately didn't get much feedback, but I'm thinking it is all related to the weaker hand on top. I will ask her to do more top hand drills. They are very awkward for her because of her weakness, so I suspect she moves on quickly to the next drill before getting some good assurance. Thanks again.

BTW - what is your DD's dominate eye. Mine is her left eye. She doesn't make contact (guessing) 1 out of 50 swings. Point being - she sees the ball well. My bro-in-law played college BBall and has had "lots of high level instruction", and he claims that she should turn back to hitting from the rightside due to her being right-handed and left eye dominant. Not sure I understand the reasoning. She's hit very well the last couple of years.

Honestly I could not tell you which eye. Here is how I look at it. I am a natural righty, started to switch hit when I was thirteen. I hit .040 better as a lefty and my power numbers were pretty much equal. I understand that is abnormal that was the case for me. The human body is amazing, you can reprogram it through repetition. If your DD has speed, can be a threat to bunt, slap, slap for power and can hit all from the left side she has a lot going for her. In BB and SB numbers don't lie. If she is effective then keep her on the left side. There are no effects on the swing if you have equal strength and coordination. Go look at some side by side of great switch hitters, E.Murry, B. Williams, etc.

I am a natural right handed person, but for some reason always hit left handed. I used to play wiffle ball in the backyard and we would switch hit some. I had a little more power RH, but much better hitter LH. If you DD can hit well LH, I can't think of any possible reason to switch her to RH.

We teach are kids how to use two eyes when hitting. So it doesn't matter which is your dominate eye. DD stated around 12 batting left handed and watching video you would never know she was right handed. If you watch the better hitters you will see they are using a good two eye look at the ball. Read the Art of Hitting .300 by Charlie Lau Sr He has a picture of George Brett as a demo on this subject.