Posted by: Willy Mays Jr () on Sat Jun 23 11:16:13 2001

Thanks to all that responded to my fastpitch question. Heres 1 other. Besides swinging down into the ball another style im hearing being taught is called the Flat Bat style. It seems to make sense to me. Maybe not for great power but in making contact for base hits. Your bat is held more parallel to the ground, which allows you to be on the same plane as the pitched ball with even less movement it seems than with the bat straight up.
> > > > > Its hard for me to describe but to those here that know fastpitch softball, im sure you have saw it...
> > > > > When used with this rotational therory taught here, it seems like it would work great .
> > > > >
> > > > > As I said im not looking for the homerun power that it seems is being mainly disscussed here, but strictly for basehits, line drives, making contact.
> > > > >
> > > > > Your thoughts on this style would be greatly appreciated.
> > > >
> > > > Congratulations,
> > > >
> > > > You are correct about holding the bat flatter. It is especially true of young people and softball players. Young people don't have the strength or speed to move the bat around alot before starting their forward motion with the bat. Having the bat in the launch position in the stance eleminates this. In softball with the quick reaction time having the bat in postion is a big help. Plus the girls are not as strong as the guys and can't move the bat around and still be in a good starting position.
> > > >
> > > > Holding the bat forward, like near the ear or high and moving it back to a launch position adds nothing. The batter has to stop the bat and go forward any way. Moving the bat alot is a fundemenat flaw for most hitters. But, you wont find any one here to agree with you. They watch the pros and they look good so it "must be right."
> > > >
> > > > Your right, most people in this site think that homeruns are the ultimate in hitting so they try to teach the methods of homerun hitters. But I always say, the people on this site are about themselves not about teaching kids to hit.
> > > >
> > > > Don't pay attention to what you read here, except for me.hehehe You teach the kids to keep the bat back and flat. They will hit better, and thats the goal, right?.......right?
> > > >
> > > > Joe A.
> > > Joe A: My Dad played in the big leagues and is in the Hall of Fame. I'm just a little kid, but from what i can see, you know nothing about baseball, you know nothing about manners, and you know everything about how to act like a retarded punk!!! Go away, Joe A!!!!

> Shawn,
>
> I know you don't mess with gimmicks. But, have you tried clarity?
>
> What are you talking about? I know you coach girls. They are the only ones who put up with the touble talk you are spouting
>
> Joe A.