Posted by: Dumont (doomzday2@hotmail.com) on Sat Jun 25 02:06:22 2005

Ah the crazy world of slo-pitch. James I've played slo-pitch for a long time and I know what you're talking about. I've seen some massive shots when guys "run" at the ball. I don't know why some guys clobber the ball this way but they do. I think it has to do with them hitting the ball waist high. That's why they run into it. Try not running after the ball and standing at the front of the batters box. You will get more waist high meat balls this way. When you play against "A" level teams you will almost never see this. They look like MLB players. Smooth and perfect mechanics. And as long as your mechanics are good you will be successful. Jack knows what he's talking about.. Good Luck.



> >>> I am in my tenth year of playing competitive men's slowpitch softball. Approx. two years ago I learned to "run up in the box" and hit the ball. This has helped me generate more HR's as when I make contact I have all of my weight (200LBS) moving forward. I have read the articles and discussion about generating bat speed and feel that I have more of a linear motion as opposed to a rotational motion on my bat head. What is your opinion of running up in the box to hit the ball as opposed to a traditional hitter. Also, do you think that combining a rotational motion during my swing and running up in the box will help me create bat speed and more power? Any advice or criticism would be helpful. Thanks <<<
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> Hi James
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> If having weight moving forward helped a batter gain more power (bat speed), we would find the best hitters taking longer and harder strides. However, most of the best power hitters are taking very soft strides with little weight moving forward. In fact, during Bonds’ swing, his axis (and therefore his weight) fades 4 or 5 inches away from the pitcher.
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> James, in the long run, you would hit the ball harder learning to rotate around a stationary axis and acquiring sound rotational transfer mechanics.
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> Jack Mankin