Posted by: Mark H. () on Fri Mar 22 11:03:15 2002

My 12 year old daughter plays fastpitch softball. No matter how fast the pitch, she hits it on the Label (center of the bat) and hits the ball to the right. Any suggetions?
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> JPB

This is certainly not the way to hit for power as Jack and others have explained, but...in fastpitch, I have seen this be very effective at the highest levels in terms of obp. However, since the rf plays up so close in fp, when your daughter gets to 16U, 18U or gold level ball, sharp grounders and one hoppers through the right side will often get her thrown out at first by the rf. IF your daughter continues to hit this way, I would have her do it from the left side and combine it with slapping and dragging (assuming she is fairly fast). OR your daughter could learn rotational mechanics and be one of the hitters who drives in runs rather than just getting on. On the other hand, when facing a truly dominant pitcher, I have seen the left side linear/slapper be the one who gets things started. One of the things I like about fastpitch (I am involved in both) is that the offense tends to be more varied. On the other hand, sometimes it tends to be non existent. : )