Posted by: Drew Ford (plaves@hotmail.com) on Mon Apr 18 09:18:08 2005

As a player of both fastball and slowpitch, I have noticed on obvious key to success in terms of generating power. Fastball ("windmill") requires a closed stance - front shoulder in. I think this is even more important in slowpitch. By simply keeping the front should in and maybe front leg closer to the plate than back, the hitter is able to naturally uncoil in body so he can utilize the muscles in his back and not just arms. I see too many slowpitch hitters with open stances hitting the ball using only their arm strength. These are often ground balls or lazy flies. Right handed batters should aim their front shoulder at the second baseman - lefties at the shortstop.