Why do some players perform better with an end loaded bat while others are more productive with a balanced bat?
Batting power is all about bat speed. There is a myth among some players (usually newer players) that the heavier the bat, the farther the ball will travel; this is not the case. The faster the bat speed at point of contact, the farther the ball will go.
This relates to the original question as that same logic is applied to the end loaded bat. The more the weight is moved to the end of the bat, the faster the bat speed. As I just pointed out, a faster bat hits a ball farther.
So the question remains, why would you use a balanced bat? The balanced bat keeps the weight of the bat closer to your hands, and therefore easier to manipulate. When you let your swing out, it is harder to make minor adjustments in your swing using an end loaded bat than with a balanced bat.
A balanced bat it better for a base hitter and a spray hitter, or against a pitcher who has a lot of movement on their ball. Even slopitch pitchers are learning how to manipulate a ball's path to the plate causing more pop ups and ground outs; this can be combated with a balanced bat. To truly hit the ball as far and as hard as you can, however, the end loaded bat should be your choice.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Batting Gloves
A reader from www.softballfans.com/forums posted the question:
"Why do some hitters wear only 1 batting glove while others wear two and a few wear none?"
Batting gloves increase the grip on the handle of the bat. This isn't to combat accidentally letting go of the bat as much as the little bit of rotation that can happen at contact and during your swing. Not all players have an issue with this or know why to wear them, and thus they don't.
Traditionally, you put a batting glove of the bottom hand as that it where the most problems occur. Having two batting gloves provides a more consistent feel while holding the bat, or the batter may be a switch hitter and either hand can be at the bottom at any given at bat. I personally wear two batting gloves as I switch hit.
"Why do some hitters wear only 1 batting glove while others wear two and a few wear none?"
Batting gloves increase the grip on the handle of the bat. This isn't to combat accidentally letting go of the bat as much as the little bit of rotation that can happen at contact and during your swing. Not all players have an issue with this or know why to wear them, and thus they don't.
Traditionally, you put a batting glove of the bottom hand as that it where the most problems occur. Having two batting gloves provides a more consistent feel while holding the bat, or the batter may be a switch hitter and either hand can be at the bottom at any given at bat. I personally wear two batting gloves as I switch hit.
Easton "See-Through" Bats
Easton is rolling out a new line of bats that are transparent so that you can see if the bat has been rolled, and if / when it is 'too' broken in. Once it is it becomes an illegal bat.While this might "even the playing field"... I don't like it. If they're trying to get rolled bats out of the leagues, fine, that's something that gives a competitive edge to somebody who intentionally goes out to produce an illegal bat. But when I spend a season to break a bat it by playing with it... I want to keep playing with that bat.
You can see a demonstration from easton at: http://www.clearlythefuture.com/
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Blog Name Change
I changed the name of the Blog today from 'Slopitch Coaching 101' to 'Unconventional'. I think a lot of readers got the idea that I was trying to tell them how to play the game of slopitch, or the only way to play the game; not the case.
A programmer by trade, I am analytical, and lucky for me baseball is a game of analyzing and statistics. I like to apply that same theory over time to slopitch and have had a lot of fun doing so. So, take this blog for what it is: a blog on viewing slopitch situations from a baseball background and a love for the game that enables me to wite about it in my spare time.
A programmer by trade, I am analytical, and lucky for me baseball is a game of analyzing and statistics. I like to apply that same theory over time to slopitch and have had a lot of fun doing so. So, take this blog for what it is: a blog on viewing slopitch situations from a baseball background and a love for the game that enables me to wite about it in my spare time.
Cool Red Sox Mug
If you're a baseball fan, you're watching October baseball. I was searching for Red Sox info and I came across this awesome mug. They have Red Sox shooter mugs too!http://www.buddysemporium.com/product.asp?dept_id=83030&pfid=38633
There are a couple other teams too: Cubies, Yanks, and I think the indians.
This blog is primarily on slopitch coaching, but every once in a while I find things that I think are super neat. There are other products related to coaching that I will post too later on!
The Appeal
One of the most frustrating events in baseball is when a player clearly misses a bag and the umpire just doesn't see it. You can appeal the call, but it isn't going to do any good cause the umpire did not see it.
Frustrating as it may be, there is usually only one umpire in a game, and even with two umpires, they have a lot to pay attention to. Most games they're not even in the mind frame of checking runners feet - they're simply watching. How do you combat this? How do you remind the umpire to check the feet?
In the beginning of the game, and the middle of the game, appeal a runner who gets more than one base. You have no limit in appeals in a game and two is not overdoing it throughout a game. By adding a simple appeal throughout your game you will train the umpires to watch the feet of the opposing players and when a real appeal situation occurs, you'll be more likely to get that call.
Like most things, however, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, the umpires won't only watch your opponents feet more, but also your feet more, so make sure your team is diligent in touching their bases as they pass.
for Slopitch Coaching 101
Bradley Holbrook
Frustrating as it may be, there is usually only one umpire in a game, and even with two umpires, they have a lot to pay attention to. Most games they're not even in the mind frame of checking runners feet - they're simply watching. How do you combat this? How do you remind the umpire to check the feet?
In the beginning of the game, and the middle of the game, appeal a runner who gets more than one base. You have no limit in appeals in a game and two is not overdoing it throughout a game. By adding a simple appeal throughout your game you will train the umpires to watch the feet of the opposing players and when a real appeal situation occurs, you'll be more likely to get that call.
Like most things, however, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, the umpires won't only watch your opponents feet more, but also your feet more, so make sure your team is diligent in touching their bases as they pass.
for Slopitch Coaching 101
Bradley Holbrook
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Drawing in Your Outfield
Have you ever seen a team with their infielders at the minimum distance away from the plate and the outfields almost on the dirt? There's good reason for this and is a very strategic play used often in the majors.
If you are in the bottom of the last inning, with the winning run on 3rd, and less then 2 away, this is when you do it. A deep fly ball caught will still score that 3rd base runner, so it doesn't matter if you catch it or it lands on the grass, if it's out in the outfield, it's effective. So here's how you set it up.
Your infielders need to be close to the batter to protect against the dreaded power bunt. 50 feet from the batter is ideal, but not all players are that comfortable at that distance. The exception is first base, who needs to be ready for a throw. If the ball is hit to an infielder, quickly check the runner, and throw to one, who then needs to start moving towards home plate if the 3rd base player is dancing. If the runner is going, throw it without hesitation.
Your outfielders should position themselves about 10 feet off the grass, close enough to make a throw home. If the ball gets to them, hold the runner. Any throw to make a play could advance the runner, so get the ball to the pitcher.
Lastly, your pitcher needs to be aware of the fields positioning and throw low pitches, inside. By low, I am not saying flat. A low flat pitch will be sent over the fence in no time. I mean a pitch with good arc that comes in low in the strike zone. The pitcher also has to be strategic in who he pitches to. Is a good hitter up with a mediocre one behind? Walk him. His run doesn't matter, it's all about the guy on 3rd base.
When you get 2 outs, remember to move your outfielders back out, as the catch signifies the 3rd out. This may seem simple, but being caught up in the moment this can be a costly oversight.
for Slopitch Coaching 101
Bradley Holbrook
If you are in the bottom of the last inning, with the winning run on 3rd, and less then 2 away, this is when you do it. A deep fly ball caught will still score that 3rd base runner, so it doesn't matter if you catch it or it lands on the grass, if it's out in the outfield, it's effective. So here's how you set it up.
Your infielders need to be close to the batter to protect against the dreaded power bunt. 50 feet from the batter is ideal, but not all players are that comfortable at that distance. The exception is first base, who needs to be ready for a throw. If the ball is hit to an infielder, quickly check the runner, and throw to one, who then needs to start moving towards home plate if the 3rd base player is dancing. If the runner is going, throw it without hesitation.
Your outfielders should position themselves about 10 feet off the grass, close enough to make a throw home. If the ball gets to them, hold the runner. Any throw to make a play could advance the runner, so get the ball to the pitcher.
Lastly, your pitcher needs to be aware of the fields positioning and throw low pitches, inside. By low, I am not saying flat. A low flat pitch will be sent over the fence in no time. I mean a pitch with good arc that comes in low in the strike zone. The pitcher also has to be strategic in who he pitches to. Is a good hitter up with a mediocre one behind? Walk him. His run doesn't matter, it's all about the guy on 3rd base.
When you get 2 outs, remember to move your outfielders back out, as the catch signifies the 3rd out. This may seem simple, but being caught up in the moment this can be a costly oversight.
for Slopitch Coaching 101
Bradley Holbrook
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Illegal Batter
Every once in a while the situation occurs where the opposing team puts the wrong batter out. Often when you or another teammate notices, they or you start hollering at the umpire. When an illegal batter gets to the plate, this is the best outcome for the OTHER team.
Why?
If you notice that the batter is out of turn, and you tell the umpire, the correct batter will assume the count and come up to bat. Because the illegally batted spot is still up to bat, there are no further penalties. So how can you make their blunder pay off for you?
Wait. Let the batter bat. Regardless of the outcome of that at bat, and before the pitcher pitches the next pitch to the next batter, appeal the batter. The result of this is that the batter is out, all runners return to the base they were on before the at bat, and the proper batter comes to the plate.
How do you catch this? There are two ways to be diligent in getting these outs: 1) Even as a player, check every batter as they come to the plate. You can get a wrist sleeve much like quarterbacks use and keep the opposing lineup card in there. 2) you have a hand signal from your scorekeeper on the sidelines that signals the illegal batter; make sure to check every at bat.
This is one small difference in handling an appeal play that can make a huge difference in an inning.
for Slopitch Coaching 101
Bradley Holbrook
Why?
If you notice that the batter is out of turn, and you tell the umpire, the correct batter will assume the count and come up to bat. Because the illegally batted spot is still up to bat, there are no further penalties. So how can you make their blunder pay off for you?
Wait. Let the batter bat. Regardless of the outcome of that at bat, and before the pitcher pitches the next pitch to the next batter, appeal the batter. The result of this is that the batter is out, all runners return to the base they were on before the at bat, and the proper batter comes to the plate.
How do you catch this? There are two ways to be diligent in getting these outs: 1) Even as a player, check every batter as they come to the plate. You can get a wrist sleeve much like quarterbacks use and keep the opposing lineup card in there. 2) you have a hand signal from your scorekeeper on the sidelines that signals the illegal batter; make sure to check every at bat.
This is one small difference in handling an appeal play that can make a huge difference in an inning.
for Slopitch Coaching 101
Bradley Holbrook
Monday, October 6, 2008
Patience at the Plate
We've all heard the ever constant chatter from the bench as we approach the plate:
"Wait for yours!", "Never swing at the first pitch!", "Be patient!". But what does this mean? These cliche calls have turned a strategic at bat into a free strike for a pitcher and patience reserved to going down 0 - 1.
Know Where You're Hitting the Ball
I wrote yesterday about how to select where you want to hit the ball, so you know before the first pitch your destination for the ball; now all you need is the right pitch. Pitch selection is key to properly placing a ball while maximizing power and maintaining a comfortable swing.
To send a ball off field, take an outside pitch. Beware of the high and outside as it has a tenancy to go back at the pitcher. Middle and/or low and outside is your best bet for a solid off field hit. The lower it is the more 'slice' you'll put on it making it that much harder to field.
To send a ball back up the middle, again, try to avoid the high outside pitch. I does put the pitcher in danger, but usually ends up in a reflex catch where nobody advances. Instead, look for the pitch right down the middle; the less spin the better.
To send a ball down the line, look for a middle/low inside pitch and get on top of it a little bit. You don't want to hit a line drive that goes through 3rd base, but lands down at foot level on the left side of the 3rd baseman. This is a great way to obtain a base hit, and if the grass is moderately slow, runners from 2 will score.
Keep Your Hands Back
Besides the bats themselves, the largest change in slopitch in the last 10 years is the pitchers. You have change ups, knuckle balls, curve balls, screw balls, cutters, sliders, and the backspin. The slopitch 'lob' (or 'watermelon') is forever gone except for those players who've played forever and never adapted.
Because the ball has more movement to it, it is evermore important to keep your hands back when you swing until you're ready to make contact with the ball. When you let your wrists go in your wing and you start to move your hands through the zone, you lose the ability to adjust your swing mid swing. If the ball elevates a little, or breaks a little more than expected, you cannot adjust if your hands have already been let out. If you've kept your wrists and hands back, you'll be able to move the bat ever so slightly and explode your arms into the ball.
for Slopitch Coaching 101
Bradley Holbrook
"Wait for yours!", "Never swing at the first pitch!", "Be patient!". But what does this mean? These cliche calls have turned a strategic at bat into a free strike for a pitcher and patience reserved to going down 0 - 1.
Know Where You're Hitting the Ball
I wrote yesterday about how to select where you want to hit the ball, so you know before the first pitch your destination for the ball; now all you need is the right pitch. Pitch selection is key to properly placing a ball while maximizing power and maintaining a comfortable swing.
To send a ball off field, take an outside pitch. Beware of the high and outside as it has a tenancy to go back at the pitcher. Middle and/or low and outside is your best bet for a solid off field hit. The lower it is the more 'slice' you'll put on it making it that much harder to field.
To send a ball back up the middle, again, try to avoid the high outside pitch. I does put the pitcher in danger, but usually ends up in a reflex catch where nobody advances. Instead, look for the pitch right down the middle; the less spin the better.
To send a ball down the line, look for a middle/low inside pitch and get on top of it a little bit. You don't want to hit a line drive that goes through 3rd base, but lands down at foot level on the left side of the 3rd baseman. This is a great way to obtain a base hit, and if the grass is moderately slow, runners from 2 will score.
Keep Your Hands Back
Besides the bats themselves, the largest change in slopitch in the last 10 years is the pitchers. You have change ups, knuckle balls, curve balls, screw balls, cutters, sliders, and the backspin. The slopitch 'lob' (or 'watermelon') is forever gone except for those players who've played forever and never adapted.
Because the ball has more movement to it, it is evermore important to keep your hands back when you swing until you're ready to make contact with the ball. When you let your wrists go in your wing and you start to move your hands through the zone, you lose the ability to adjust your swing mid swing. If the ball elevates a little, or breaks a little more than expected, you cannot adjust if your hands have already been let out. If you've kept your wrists and hands back, you'll be able to move the bat ever so slightly and explode your arms into the ball.
for Slopitch Coaching 101
Bradley Holbrook
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Batting: Having a Plan
Beyond popular belief, batting in slopitch is much more than going up to the plate and swinging your heart out. While this creates the odd home run, you're usually going to either strike out, fly out, or the dreaded power bunt.
When you bat, have a plan. Know how many outs there are, how fast the runners on base are, who has the good throwing arms in the field, where the holes are, how fast the fielders are, and where your base runners are. After analyzing these you need to ask yourself: "What is my job right now?". Every time you get to the plate, you have a different job depending on the situation.
For instance, your plan will be dramatically different in a 2 out runner on 3 situation versus 1 out and runners on 2 and 3. We're going to analyze a lot of these scenarios and consider our available course of action.
Unless you are the 1st batter in the 1st inning, always ask the umpire how many are away. There is never an excuse for not knowing and knowing is vital in having a successful at bat. Once you have the outs, you can start to create your plan. Every plan starts with the same philosophy: "How can I aid my team in scoring to most amount of runs?".
Less Than 2 Away
Less than two away gives you that extra tool in your belt: the sacrifice. Keeping that in mind, we need to analyze our base runners.
When you bat, have a plan. Know how many outs there are, how fast the runners on base are, who has the good throwing arms in the field, where the holes are, how fast the fielders are, and where your base runners are. After analyzing these you need to ask yourself: "What is my job right now?". Every time you get to the plate, you have a different job depending on the situation.
For instance, your plan will be dramatically different in a 2 out runner on 3 situation versus 1 out and runners on 2 and 3. We're going to analyze a lot of these scenarios and consider our available course of action.
Unless you are the 1st batter in the 1st inning, always ask the umpire how many are away. There is never an excuse for not knowing and knowing is vital in having a successful at bat. Once you have the outs, you can start to create your plan. Every plan starts with the same philosophy: "How can I aid my team in scoring to most amount of runs?".
Less Than 2 Away
Less than two away gives you that extra tool in your belt: the sacrifice. Keeping that in mind, we need to analyze our base runners.
- With no runners, or a single runner on base a base hit will do. Get on so the next batter can do their thing.
- With runners on 1 and 3 or 1 and 2, we need to move both of those runners. A proper sacrifice fly will only guarantee the runner on 2 to advance, 1 will be handcuffed protecting from the force out; keep with the base hit game plan.
- With runners on 2 and 3 or bases loaded, the sacrifice is extremely useful.
2 Away
- Base hit. That's all that is left, a base hit.
So now that we know what we're after (base hit, or a sacrifice), we analyze the field and find out: where are we going to get this. Look for the players who are cheating at their position: are they playing you too deep, too shallow, shifting to one side? If you're wondering where the extra base hit went, it's still here, in the base hit. The better you execute a base hit, the better chance you have at the extra base hit.
Going for the Base Hit
First off, out the infield is (99 times of 100), the safe bet for the base hit, so look at the outfielders. We first want to look for the players cheating in; a hard line drive is extra bases on the player, they simply cannot move fast enough to catch up to a line drive. Aim over their head.
Next, look for the wide open gap. A gap isn't as advantageous as the outfielding cheating in as players are already closer to the ball's destination and are moving more laterally then having to run back, but it will still get you on base.
Then, look for the player too deep and drop it in front of them. This will give you the base hit, but if fielded properly will only move you and every other runner on base one base. The danger here is hitting it a little too far creating that no mans land that causes the other base runners to get caught in either a force out on the next bag or from not tagging. This leads to more botched base hits than most other reasons.
Last, when the outfield looks rather unbeatable, see if the infielders are giving you too much room in between two players, or in front of them. Sometimes your only option is a light hit down the third base line when the 3rd base is at the grass. Don't be afraid to take that one; like the garbage goal in hockey, it all look sthe same on the scorecard.
Going for a Sacrifice
The trick to a successful sacrifice is getting the outfielders to turn around. If all four fielders are deep, revert to a base hit attempt. When hitting for the sacrifice, you also want to give runners on 2 and 3 an opportunity to score; off field is your best chance for this, unless that fielder is too deep. The reason we try to get those fielders to turn around, is so that they don't have the opportunity to set up under then ball and get a clean throw, and there is more chance of the fielder dropping the ball, or just not getting to it.
The Plan
All of this information must be processed in a matter of seconds. You don't have a long time to decide your plan; it will seem difficult at first, but it will increase your AVG and RBI columns dramtically and if your entire team is on board, the W column should too.
For Slopitch Coaching 101
Bradley Holbrook
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