High school softball is wild. There are pitchers who are just months away from playing with their D1 college team, and pitchers who are new to the game. In our league, it's pretty much extremes...and then there's my DD's team. The top 4 teams are stacked with TB players. The bottom 3 teams have zero TB players. Maddie's team as a few TB players, and a few that have never been on a softball field before this season. We get run-ruled by the top teams, and we run-rule the bottom teams. We've had just one game go the full 7 innings, and it was still a lopsided 8-2 win. Today is the last game of the season against one of the bottom teams, who is also the school's cross-town rival. We will be saying goodbye to 3 seniors, including our only 2 pitchers. Next year (Maddie's senior year), unless we get some magical freshman unicorn, we are going to be one of those bottom teams.
This year, Maddie has really struggled to square up the ball very against slow pitching. It's deeply frustrated her. Yesterday, it seems she solved the problem, and had her first-ever multi-HR game...
Any insight on how she adjusted? My DD struggles mightily against slow pitching.
Any insight on how she adjusted? My DD struggles mightily against slow pitching.
WTH was that (pitchers)? WOW, I have 10u girls (heck maybe 8u) that throw harder. What HS is that in So Cal? Not used to seeing that around the area. Usually all So Cal HS have at least 1 pitcher that is decent to good or with experience. Dang, that was like slo pitch softball right there. Good for Maddie on even timing that up. Almost gotta use a slo pitch stance and swing for that slow.
How does she struggle? Swing too early? Swing and miss? Swing falls apart? Lots of ways to get messed up on stuff like that.
Mostly its timing and overswinging. Stay over your feet or slightly back without breaking down on the back leg, and put your swing on like a 7 out of 10. Most kids put their swing at 12 on a 10 scale if they see that kind of pitch.
If my DD saw that pitcher, I'd have her do the 'Flamingo Drill' at the plate.
Of course we practice this for other reasons, but its a good swing rhythm breaker and makes you concentrate on the actual ball.
Swings way too early. Actually she swings too early against fast pitching as well. Gets her weight on her front foot and takes an all arm swing. I'll have try that drill this evening. Thanks.
Just as clarifying statement, I would NOT do this as an actual drill to improve being early on slow pitching. I was actually make her go to the plate during her at bat and do it so she breaks her normal swing rhythm. That just forces her to slow down and see the ball rather then just doing what she always does rhythm wise. Of course, you need to have fun with it too. Its going to get some strange looks.Swings way too early. Actually she swings too early against fast pitching as well. Gets her weight on her front foot and takes an all arm swing. I'll have try that drill this evening. Thanks.