Posted by: () on Wed Sep 4 15:44:31 2002

I was wonder what yourthoughts were on the agrument that a softball swing and baseball swing are different. I have heard many differetn approached to this and would like to hear your opinion!
> > > >
> > > > Curious,
> > > >
> > > > The difference non-existent. I think that softball people want to "think" that softball is different because they don't want baseball people to be experts in "their game."
> > > >
> > > > You will find that in softball there are many silly notions that people believe with out any factual bases. A few are: crush the bug, elbow up, stop the hands and whip the bat, the rise ball. Softball people believe this stuff and you can't change their mind. Especially the one about the rise ball.
> > > >
> > > > F. J.
> > > >
> > > > Frank is absolutely right, the best softball hitters have swings like the best hitters in baseball (exculding slappers which is a whole differt thing). Let's just say a great swing is just that no matter which sport you play.
> >
> >
> > Here's a clip (Shawn's I believe) of probably the pre-eminent female fastpitch player in the world alongside baseball hitters. It really depends on your gifts and goals, but if a fastpitch player wants to hit for power and average, this is it. If she is a left side speed burner interested only in obp there are some other options, but someone has to drive in the runs. Doubles change everything.
> >
> > http://members.aol.com/bellshw2/clip0036.mov
> >
> > Mark H.
>
> Mark H.
>
> I wanted to see that clip but I couldn't get it. I got to the site but there was this screen with a design on it and a bar that moves from left to right and back again but no clip. Maybe it won't load on my set up. Should I try something else?
>
> I am in e-mail contact with Joe A. He said he used to post here but doesn't any more. He has taught me a lot. He knows more then any one else I have ever talked to. He has some interesting ideas about the difference between a softball and baseball swing.
>
> It's not about the mechanics, which he claims are of secondary importance. Its about reaction time which, he says, almost everybody miscalculates. He won't explain the whole thing to be because he said I would post it here. I asked him to come and explain it and I don't think they will let me post what he said. He is very creative with the language.
>
> What happened here any way?
>
> F. J.
>
>

As to the clip, you may need to go to quicktime and download some software. Then the clip should come up with a button down at the bottom you can use to run the clip back and forth.

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

As to Joe A., it's all in the archives.

Mark H.