Posted by: sbk () on Tue Feb 24 12:46:50 2004

I am currently attempting to take my daughter to a new level with her hitting. She is a power hitter but far too often she hits grounders and I'd like to see her hitting more line shots. While she plays tournament ball her coaches are all volunteer and, while good intentioned, are not real students of the game. I mean don't get me wrong they are great with the kids its just that I have been doing a LOT of reading on rotational mechanics and am convinced that a rotational method is what I need to teach my daughter.
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> OK, here is the question..... is there a difference between the softball swing and the baseball swing? I have heard various answers to this question. Some believe that the softball swing has to be more level because the ball is pitched from a lower level and is rising up. Others state that even though the softball is released from a lower point than a baseball by the time it gets to the plate its trajectory is in a downward path so a softball swing should not be any different than a baseball swing.
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> Frankly it is very frustrating because if you talk to 10 different people (all of whom can be knowledgable to varrying degrees) you will get 10 different opinions.

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Hi Dave,

Congratulations on trying to secure good hitting advice. You are on the right path. Continue to be careful what advise you use and the sources, I have found that most advice on women's fastpitch softball hitting is hazardous to any chance of high level success.

Unless you are developing a slap and run hitter, a rotational type of swing will give your daughter the best chance for success at a high-level.

There are no major differences between a solid rotational style swing in fastpitch or baseball. There are some adjustments and refinements that are useful especially at higher levels of fastpitch competition.

Hitting fastpitch softball at the highest level is more difficult than hitting a baseball. (less time to see the ball and the added dimension posed by the possibility that the ball can go up)
Because you have less time, it's even more important to execute many of the things that Jack and others stress both quicker and with more precision.

One fastpitch adjustment is using a stronger top hand for hitting riseballs than is recommended by many in baseball.

I have a simple exercise that can probably help your daughter hit more line shots and home runs.

Usually hitters who hit mainly grounders hit on top of the ball because their weight is too far on their front foot. This makes staying back and getting under a drop ball or a change up nearly impossible on any kind of a consistent basis.

This is why linear style hitting is not conducive to driving a softball either.

Here is the exercise that should help.

Place a ball on a tee that simulates a pitch on the inside half of the plate.

Have your daughter stand where she feels most comfortable hitting the pitch.

Then simply take the tee and move it back so that it is somewhat even with her front hip. (Probably about 6 to 12 inches closer to the catcher than she would prefer to hit it during a game)

From this new placement, tell her to swing and drive the ball to left field in the air. (for right handers)


The chances are she will find it very difficult. In order to do this successfully, you must employ sound rotational techniques with both your legs and hands. Going forward even slightly with either the hips or arms will not allow the ball to be hit in the air.

By using good rotational methods explained by Jack in conjunction with measuring your progress with this exercise, your daughter will soon be staying back and driving the pitchers best drop ball to the gap and beyond.

In the meantime keep your daughter away from 99% of the women's softball hitting coaches.

Best of luck to your daughter,

sbk