Small ball is ....dead?

[nanotech14]

I can't stand to see a whole team of slappers,slap it and get out all the time.I like to see them hit the ball.Ten years ago it was all about the pitchers boring ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! I like that they have learned how to hit the ball,but I would like them take the bats away and see how they hit then.

 

[coachtucc]

I love small ball...have my team play small ball depending on the pitcher we are facing...not hitting her, then go small ball...hitting her, then swing away!!

 

[D.G. OutLaws 16u]

we got the best of both worlds going on offensively, small and long. What im seeing more is slappers. and speed speed speed! The girls today IMO are finally getting female specific weight training. Even the tiny girls seem to hit deep, not because of bat technology but flat out bat speed. That coupled with 65-70mph pitches the balls are sailing 225ft with ease. We are seeing more players have muli threats in the batters box...not one dimensional and predictable anymore. IMO its why defenses have to use caution when defending bunts now. In the past a lead-off lefty meant shes slapping.....now shes a triple threat. Followed up with a righty who used to be a bunt specialist now can hit for power as well as lay a sneaky bunt down. The game is evolving right before our eyes.

 

[amanda_cake]

I can't stand to see a whole team of slappers,slap it and get out all the time.I like to see them hit the ball.Ten years ago it was all about the pitchers boring ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! I like that they have learned how to hit the ball,but I would like them take the bats away and see how they hit then.

What I like to see is those slappers get on base... nothing looks better than a good slap that the other team's infield can't handle!

 

[Lozza]

In addition to the bats being different, 10 years ago the pitchers were at 40 feet. (or had only just changed over, it was late 90s early 00s from memory)

 

[absdad]

What I like to see is those slappers get on base... nothing looks better than a good slap that the other team's infield can't handle!

Absolutely. A nice hard packed field is a slapper's paradise.

 

[Jim]

I've watched teams with speed, not just faster girls, but crazy fast girls, eat up large hitting teams. Hit and run, stealing, bunting...it flusters the heck out of defenses. I would rather watch that any day. Much more fun to manage, too. There is no managing in long ball.

The point is to win, the point isn't for the manager to manage. If the crazy fast girls could hit doubles and homers, they have a better chance to win. I also never said anything about not working on defending. Good defensive players that can hit for average and power=wins.

 

[Jim]

we got the best of both worlds going on offensively, small and long. What im seeing more is slappers. and speed speed speed! The girls today IMO are finally getting female specific weight training. Even the tiny girls seem to hit deep, not because of bat technology but flat out bat speed. That coupled with 65-70mph pitches the balls are sailing 225ft with ease. We are seeing more players have muli threats in the batters box...not one dimensional and predictable anymore. IMO its why defenses have to use caution when defending bunts now. In the past a lead-off lefty meant shes slapping.....now shes a triple threat. Followed up with a righty who used to be a bunt specialist now can hit for power as well as lay a sneaky bunt down. The game is evolving right before our eyes.

Very well said. My point exactly. If the third baseman in up, hit it through her. If she plays back, bunt. The more weapons the better. Never seen a slap drive in a girl from first base.

 

[FPMark]

Very well said. My point exactly. If the third baseman in up, hit it through her. If she plays back, bunt. The more weapons the better. Never seen a slap drive in a girl from first base.

Our slapper did just that at a tournament this weekend. Runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs, and this girl always slaps. They had the tipical slap defense set, (2nd between 1st and pitcher, 3rd in, LF at edge of grass toward line, CF shifted to left and shallow, RF at edge of grass between 1st and 2nd) and she "slapped" a line drive past RF all the way to the fence for a tripple.

It does reenforce your statement about the more weapons the better though. Power slappers are another weapon.

 

[starsnuffer]

Power slapping is a different mechanic then slapping, and your pitcher should be taught to pitch a ball to a slapper so you can figure out what the slapper is trying to do. A power slapper will slap with their right foot planted, whereas a natural slapper will slap with their right foot still in motion. While a slapper may be taught to both slap and power slap, they can tip their hand with what they're attempting to do if you watch closely.

-W