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| Nov. 16, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | hr hitting what does it take,i mean like what pitch,how you strike the ball,bat to use,and if you play in any other assoc than senior ball i would like to know about that also,thank you for all who respond intelligently. |
| Nov. 16, 2010 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Shouldn't the question be intelligent to start with? (couldn't resist, Robert you put it on a tee for me) You don't know how good you look compared with some, Robert. You're a stand up, stand in guy win or lose and I respect you for it. We've had battles but you're really OK with me. I like and want to play with lively bats and balls and you don't. Maybe the answer is specific tournaments designated by equipment standards just like SSUSA did with 44x375 and 1.21 senior bats. Also, Robert. You have played in lots of 52x275 tournaments. How does the ball hop on hard ground. Have any infielders complained about bad, kicking hops? I play in ASA tournaments with ASA bats/balls and have the same approach to hitting.i.e. dead center The ball just doesn't go as well. |
| Nov. 16, 2010 gary c 418 posts | Now you say maybe separate tournaments sre the way to go JUST LIKE MY FIRST POST that you attacked me on. GLAD YOU HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT. What would know about inelegance? Read your posts.If you were half the man mad dog is you wouldn't be laughed at by the sane on this site.Please don't talk hitting you sound like a fool. |
| Nov. 16, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | ssusa,i have asked a simple question and i get crap from this clown,can you please do something about him(einstein). |
| Nov. 16, 2010 gary c 418 posts | THE FUNNY THING MAD DOG IS HE CRY'S ABOUT ME BUT his thinking is so illogical he think's it Ok if he attacks but if someone dose to him they should be banned he must be out of RIDDLIN,IRON PILLS AND VIAGRA SORRY OLLIE |
| Nov. 17, 2010 goforit 97 posts | Mad dog, The key for me hitting home runs is two fold --- balance and confidence. I'm not a big guy but i have the confidence to know that i can hit one if i need to at any time. I try to always get set at the plate the same way everytime and then make adjustments based on how i'm being pitched to. The bats do not make much difference for me i've used Ultra's and combat's (have not tried the Reebok yet). I also like to hit with power to all fields which makes the pitcher not sure where to pitch the ball. With the ball's we use now adays you do not have to get all wound up and swing hard, you just need to make good contact and the ball will fly. One other thing that usually helps----practice, practice, practice. I would like to see other people's thoughts, this is just what works for me. |
| Nov. 17, 2010 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | goforit, I'm much like you. Confidence is a biggie for me. My problem is that at times I think I can hit any pitch out. When I'm thinking like this I find myself swinging at pitches that are outside my optimum zone and the result isn't so good. I need to concentrate on good pitches only. You're right about making good contact. Many times I'm just trying for a base hit, swinging at probably 80% and the ball carries the fence. I also agree with practice, practice. |
| Nov. 17, 2010 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hard to add anything to what said, Bruce. All on time and having seen you hit the proof is in the pudding. You're a monster with a bat. Confidence is the key for me, too. With it, anything is possible and without it I always end up, somewhere else. |
| Nov. 17, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | goforit,bruce,kinda what i was thinking also.where do you want the pitch(i like from the waist up to my shoulders),do you look to get backspin on the ball,or dead center hit? i will only hit one out in about 1 out 10 when i'm really trying to(another reason i don't do a lot of hr derby's),tho i have called a few in the last couple years with the kids,i love the laugh they give me when i call it,than the surprised look when i do,LOL.bruce i call that the golfer's swing(80-90%),LOL. confidence has never been a factor for me,always have it in all i do,otherwise i'm prolly not doing it. do you guys also use a tee to practice hitting the long ball. |
| Nov. 17, 2010 goforit 97 posts | Mad dog, To be honest i like the pitch up alittle so i have a better chance of getting the bottom part of the ball. Anyone that knows me is aware that when i do hit a home run most of the time it goes very high. On lower pitches my right hand tends to come over the top and i tend to hit only line drives and ground balls. That is not a bad thing unless you are really trying to hit one out. When i talked earlier about balance i was talking about keeping your hands back and not get out in front to early. Even if your lower body moves early you can still put a good swing on the ball if your upper body and head stay quiet. I do not use a tee, i have never been one to hit a stationary target. I would rather just invision the ball arc and take practice swings if i'm not actually taking batting practice. This is a good thread Mad dog, i will keep looking for other comments so i can see what works for others. John Giesler Master Collision |
| Nov. 17, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | hey john thanks,does Will still run your team or is he getting to old for ya's,LOL.tell him its #77 from the old stone age team.we had some good battles when we played in the 50's age group,i'm 60 now also. i use the tee for mechanics mostly,b/c it is hard for me to get a BP partner where i live(live 30 miles from both league parks/players i play in/with).it also helps in my mike macenko light bat/heavy bat drill,i hate just swinging a bat,like to see some results. i have been known to golf that lo inside pitch tho(kinda like the lefties)out,down the line. |
| Nov. 17, 2010 goforit 97 posts | Wil is still the man, he is doing great. |
| Nov. 17, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | glad to hear that john.. |
| Nov. 18, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | what no other hr hitters here??????? |
| Nov. 18, 2010 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Thought you'd never ask, Robert. I believe that everyone has their own swing that fits and suits their genes, leverage and musculature and that hitting the ball hard is a function of natural reflexes and athletic ability. So that, confidence and conditioning are the keys and have been my keys to hitting HRs. When confident, in good shape and finding how one's specific body works for hitting the ball hard there's no limit to what pitches or swings can be used to hit a ball as well as one's natural physics will allow. I've hit balls that are off the plate high, low, inside and out a long way when really ready and eager to swing. |
| Nov. 18, 2010 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | And I forgot to mention something very important that works not only on offense but on defense too for excellence and that is anticipation. When I anticipate that I'm going to hit the ball a long way and become grounded in it I find I can hit the ball a long way. I actually look way over the fence and lock in that's where I'm going to hit the ball. Same thing with fielding. Anticipating that each ball is coming to me makes for the quickest movements and reactions to the ball. |
| Nov. 18, 2010 E4/E6 Men's 70 873 posts | My approach has been, (and it has carried me thru little league, high school, and a short stint in Minor league ball), simply see the ball, hit the ball. With hardball we have our selected zone(s) and pitch selection. With softball its more zone. As technology has progressed with our ages the new bats and balls have helped us out to a great degree. What used to be a hard hit 300' shot with a wood or single wall bat, is now a 350'+shot with our composites. A slight over compensation in my opinion, but thats another thread. Bobby, tell your boys to take it easy on us in Vegas will ya? |
| Nov. 18, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | john can't do that...LOL,we are bringing some 65's (4 or more)and over b/c we have a few of us who can't make this trip for our 60 team.i'm sitting here b/c,1) my funds are low and 2) my lefty who bats behind me drilled my calf when i was on 1st 2 weeks back,along with a kid getting me on the mound in the knee(my fault tho) the week before that,all in the same leg,also the same leg that i have been having an achilles problem with the last 4-5 months.leg has been swoled up since than and i prolly should be going to the doc about it, as it is all black and blue and the same leg that i have had cellulitus in 3 times now since 2002. |
| Nov. 22, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | i see no hr hitters able to tell their secrets on this board, but players who want to get on the board and cry about wanting to hit the ball hard.if that is the case why do we need the hottest equipment out there,if no one can/knows how to hit the hr. |
| Nov. 22, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | mad dog-It is hard to answer this question without really sounding like you are bragging, but here goes. I average about 1 hr a game, and that is despite hitting down a lot in the AAA game because we have enough power to get our 3 each game, and my wife counted 11 hr's in 8 games last year in Phoenix Worlds at 50AAA. Over the years I have discovered that different bats do swing differently enough to alter the type of swing I need to execute to hit homeruns. On the older style bats, I concentrated on not only bat speed, but getting as much muscle as I could behind the swing, too. My power comes from my legs and hip rotation, getting open and driving at the point of maximum bat speed. I do believe my bat is accelerating at the point of contact which lessens recoil and drives through better, transferring that extra punch to the ball. For you high average-high rev bowlers, it is the same principle as the ball hitting the pocket while accelerating to carry through the pins and not deflect (8-10 split). With the new trampolines, I concentrate on bat speed-and not so much on the muscling part. The best way I can try to describe it is a 'looser' swing. The bats provide the power. I have hit several balls 350 plus going 'ooops', and one that went close to 400 in Phoenix that the umpire even commented that I hardly swung at it. When I am hitting well, I can hit just about any reachable pitch out of the park on a given swing. After all, the pitcher has to throw the ball 50 plus feet with an arc and hit a mat-he can only do so much. Thanks to good coaches when I was young, I have good mechanics. I really don't think homerun hitting techniques are a secret, either!! There also is a mental aspect to it. Einstein is right (again-darn it)on picking out a point over the fence. I picture the fences at 200 feet. With these bats I know if I execute and hit the ball, it will go! |
| Nov. 22, 2010 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Thanks, Webbie, that was helpful. |
| Nov. 22, 2010 thebull Men's 50 59 posts | mad dog , Webbie25 and I have been hitting HR's against each other for 25 years and once together last year in Prescot. His way works for him but my swing is different, he uses more hip rotation and I rely more on upper body strength. I stand with an open stance with the front foot back about 4", this helps because I have less hip rotation. I use my legs and hips to generate monentum and to position my upper body into position to drive through the ball. I take a short smooth, slow stride into the ball, drive through with my shoulders then power through the ball with my forearms. I've been told often that my swing looks like it's in slow motion and they can't beleave I can hit it that hard moving that slow. Thats because I generate my bat speed with my forearms and wrists and thats hard to see. Also, I never think about where the balls going unless I'm trying for a base hit. When swinging freely I only focus on waiting untill the ball is in my hitting zone and keeping my arms and grip loose. Everything else happens automaticly through muscle memory from taking 1000's of swings. If I can stay relaxed and focus on the ball it's going out,unfortunatly that's easier said than done. My biggest problem hitting is Trying to hit a HR, when I think HR I overswing , tighten up and pull my head off the ball. Bottom line is that players bodies and strenghts are different and you'll need to figure out what works for you. If you can find someone who understands different hitting techniques to watch you they should be able to help. Unfortunatly everybody you ask will think they know exactly what you need to do, most will be wrong. good luck PS. the secret to hitting HR's is good technique (mechanics) developed through hard work and practice-no real secret. theBull |
| Nov. 22, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | bull-you're right-my little toothpick arms versus your guns is no contest!! You have the strength that I don't-it has to be mechanics for me. |
| Nov. 23, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | webbie,bull thanks a lot,lots of great info.i do about the same as you guys(i might be bigger than webbie,by the way he talks,not sure about you bull,i'm 5'10" 240 lbs).i like to just hit the ball that is above my waist most of the time,and with a slightly closed stance,with an open one i have a tendency to dive at the ball and hit it near the handle. yeah asking someone else can be a crap shoot as they will most likely be swinging different then yourself.i'm just trying to see how many have similar swings and such. again thanks for you input,webbie,bull..... |
| Nov. 23, 2010 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | First of all find a pitcher that you just OWN.(Einstein) Then get him to play for as many teams as the organizations will let him. (Manny) After every game that you blast him, you make sure he knows that you got lucky that day and he is the toughest pitcher you face. (Gombos) If nothing else tell him you have to focus more intently when he is pitching than against anyone. (Any pitcher for Black and Blue)Don't just hit bombs off of him and then be dismissive. Take he and his wife out to dinner, buy him a hot dog or two, bring him a 6 pack of his favorite beer to share after the tourney. (Gilbert) Don't let him forget how much you appreciate playing against him. (Burbank) Now before any of you guys gang up on me.I love hitting HRs, but hitting the 3-4 hole when there is a shift on or splitting the outfield when you go to a 5 man is just as important. The truth of the matter is playing against a great pitcher does make be a better hitter in general because I do have to concentrate more. The hardest game for me to play and hit in, are the blowout wins. I Love this game. Mike Adair Demolition 2011 |
| Nov. 23, 2010 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | I love that post and it's sharpness and bravado. That's really like you Mike and your a great hitter but just like all great hitter/players they have poor memories and never remember all the times they got beat. You're the best, Mike, in many ways and keep on goin'. |
| Nov. 23, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | mike you could hit it out with a broom stick...i do agree with ya tho,i try act like i've done it before(which i have),also will tell the pitcher that i really don't know how that one got out,i must of been lucky,LOL... also agree with the,tighter the ball game is,the more i will concentrate,seems like blow out make me blah for some reason... no better feeling going up with the game/inning on the line and you hit a base hit oppo for the last run to score,whether its the game or inning to be had.... |
| Nov. 23, 2010 gary c 418 posts | softball4b When you own a pitcher like you do are friend we always call them cous short for cousin because only a family member would be so kind to you. If you are a serious player when a game gets out of hand it is always hard to stay focused. The only problem if a team comes back on you it's hard to start the motor up again. Keep buying them beer and telling them how lucky you are pitchers are another breed. |
| Nov. 23, 2010 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Can't sneak up on you anymore, Mike. Let's have some fun. Next time we play, first AB, I say you go 0 for 1 for a soda right after the game. What do you say? |
| Nov. 23, 2010 gary c 418 posts | LIKE TAKING CANDY FROM A BABY! |
| Nov. 23, 2010 canIjack Men's 60 322 posts | Mike is right on when he said " Find a pitcher that you just OWN(Phillip Cobb for me). For the last 30 years we have faced each other hundreds of time. I feel like I could hit phils pitching in my sleep. In Georgia this year I used Phillip as my pitcher in the HR contest, I won with 5 Hrs out 7 piches,that just how much confidence I had knowing that I just kill this pitcher when I play against him. But with any pitcher, the pitch from him has to be EYE level on it was down. So I can send it back at the same angle. And I'm a base hitter, learning to hit the long Ball,(Thanks to Senior Bats) Kennard Get ready 60s Here I come, looking forward to it, BW, I need some more Rings |
| Nov. 23, 2010 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Ken, You're a monster with a bat but I wonder what Phil's perspective is on the same subject. I remember you launching some missiles off me but I remember getting you sometimes, too. As I said to Mike Adair it's the sign of a very good to great hitter/player (michael jordan comes to mind) to have little to no memory of all the misses and both of you qualify in my book. |
| Nov. 23, 2010 gary c 418 posts | Thanks Kannard for helping me make my point. (And I'm a base hitter, learning to hit the long Ball,(Thanks to Senior Bats) Your words not mine.If that's what you want great but it dose say sometimes it's the bat not the talent of the hitter. |
| Nov. 23, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | mad dog-I'm 6', 210 so you are definitely bigger. My arms are so weak I can't beat my wife in an arm wrestle. LOL ok, maybe not that bad, but nothing like you guys. I also agree it is fun to hit the hole with 2nd and 3rd and two out, or burn the outfield in a 3 man set. I really don't make hr's any kind of priority. In AAA you have to hit to the situation, and not waste them. For me, .800 is my 'mendoza line'. If I do that, the team benefits. |
| Nov. 23, 2010 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | I don't ever remember a pitcher getting me. I do remember me screwing up and hitting a pitch I really couldn't handle and or me reading my press clippings and getting full of myself. Seriously though for those who asked a serious question about HR hitting. Find 3 pitches that you know the end result when you put a good swing on it. You look for the PITCH,(your cookie), count does not matter until you get a strike. Pitch selection expands to the PITCH and the next best one you can handle. Two strikes and your swing becomes defensive rather than offensive, but you still look for a pitch you can place. That is all you are going to get because no freaking way am I going to tell the pitchers on this board my favorite pitch. Just know this, I am an equal opportunity batter and the count is for the umpires. I don't care. Serve it up Big Boy. |
| Nov. 23, 2010 gary c 418 posts | LET ME GET THIS STRIAGHT EINSTEIN IS SOFTBALL4B'S BITCH.(IN SOFTBALL) |
| Nov. 23, 2010 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Hey Mike. What makes you think we don't already know the one you like and the one you don't like. Pitchers number 1 rule. Keep 'em sleepin'. Pay no attention to the disparaging terrorist, in disguise and as un-American as his 9/11 counterparts. There's no place on this website for such bad intention, characterless attacks. Just follow his comments down the thread and you'll see it loud and clear. |
| Nov. 23, 2010 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | I don't rile easy. Words are words and action are facts. See you on the field. |
| Nov. 23, 2010 gary c 418 posts | You can tell when a hitter owns a pitcher. |
| Nov. 24, 2010 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Words can be lethal, Mike but I like your attitude nonetheless. Somehow I don't see you wanting to take any crap off anyone but there's always time and place for sure. Sometimes you don't pick the fight. It picks you. Happy Thanksgiving and I'll be looking forward to that first AB with you. |
| Nov. 24, 2010 gary c 418 posts | HE OWNS YOU JOEY! |
| Nov. 24, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | as per his usual way,joey boy brings nothing to this thread but trash. for the rest,thank you for your thoughts,there has been some very insightful comments. webbie,i'm in the same boat AAA and need to use our hrs judicially.my mendoza line is .750 with 3-5 hrs per 10 games,it seems like a more reasonable goal. kennard don't tell me you never hit balls out with other bats than senior ones,i have,and pretty sure you have.yes the senior bat has made it very easy to do,but........ you are right about hitting it out with the same arc it came in on,good luck in the 60's.. |
| Nov. 24, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | mad dog-think you meant judiciously, unless you were hitting off Da Judge! LOL-just kidding-please don't take offense and start a word war!!!!!LOL |
| Nov. 24, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | your dead now ...LOL...hey its what my spell check gave me..... |
| Nov. 24, 2010 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Sponge Bob, good morning. They open their eyes yet, they cannot see. Bummer. I was talking with Bogie about hitting unlimited arc which he and his son play often and he reminded me of this 40 year old guy I watched hit in SF. The ball would be coming straight down yet, he swung level with his normally powerful looking swing and was just crushing it. Bogie said that's his approach, too and he and his son are monster hitters, too. I pitch a lot and I notice a lot of guys don't match the arc of the ball. Some even swing down and are successful. It's all very interesting and suggests there's more than one way to skin a cat. |
| Nov. 24, 2010 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Bobby. I'm very curious and never got a response. How does the 52x275 ball that you play a lot with bounce, behave on hard ground. My sense is that it would kick like a mule, sharply up and unpredictable and hit a lot of shoulders, necks and faces. Anybody? |
| Nov. 24, 2010 canIjack Men's 60 322 posts | Mad dog Oh yea, I've hit home runs with wood bats, The Easton connection was my bat of choice, Loved hitting them out of Yankee at the field of Dreams, back in the 90’s. I’m 5’11" - 235lb, for the last 20 years. And No comments Please Mike Adair on the weight. But I I've always hit the ball HARD. But I like line drives. So I would hit line drives in the alleys and take two. Home runs were accidents. I had to learn to let the hands fly when you throw them at the ball (for the long ball). I used to roll the Top hand (for base Hits and line drives). The only thing that is different now is. I'm weaker and the bat now compensates for the lost of strength over the last 10 years. I love trying to knock the glove off of a player’s hand. I still have no idea, as to how not to hit pitchers when I go Middle. I’m trying no to, but sometimes I hard. But I came into senior softball as a hard hitting player that hit through the infield, by u or thru you. No harm meant. I’m just not a place hitter. JUST HIT IT HAR D… Don’t Think. Just hit it hard. |
| Nov. 24, 2010 gary c 418 posts | GOOD HITTERS HIT WITH ANY BAT IT'S THE WEAK HITTER THAT GETS THE MOST HELP WITH FROM THE HOT BATS. I HAVE SEEN ONE OF MY TEAMMATES HIT IT OUT WHEN HE HIT IT OFF THE HANDLE. GREAT HITTER BUT THAT'S IS RIDICULOUS. MAD DOG HAPPY THANKS GIVING ! |
| Nov. 25, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | i can totally agree kennard,i still roll some,specially when i try to hard to go oppo,i end up getting a pitcher the same way as you,ugh. happy thanksgiven to all..... |
| Nov. 25, 2010 garyheifner 649 posts | In regards to the original question, I play in the 65+ age group now. Not as many Hrs as 3-4 years ago. I need a little bit of wind blowing out. If it's coming in, no chance. I had no Hrs this year when I tried. The 6 I had came when I tried to hit a hard line drive between the SS and 3rd baseman. My hrs are not towering blasts but liners that don't come down. So my normal Hr travels about 315-320'. My pitch for driving it is just above my belt. I use a Miken and can't hit a Hr with the 27 or 28 oz. bats. It has to be a 29 oz. for me, choked up about 1/2 inch. The above might sound strange for some but its' me. |
| Nov. 26, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | so far most of you have followed the script per say,except one.if this was a ball thread maybe there would be an answer,but since it is not there will be none,if you want to talk about the ball,start your own thread,this one is for the hitters here,which it seems like you know not a whole lot about.oh your boy has done nothing in his video that hasn't been said for over 30 years now(starting with a bob murphy,demarini,todd grahamn-swing mechanics is his video,been out for at least 5-6 years),so why is it this vid,the vid of all vid's,its not,just rehashing what someone/s has already put out there,like i said a fluff video,with old guys swinging hero bats,with rocks to hit.... |
| Nov. 26, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | canljack-you have a good point about going up the middle inadvertantly. I did it once in Phoenix, once in Vegas and I thought I got the KC pitcher in Vegas, but he semiflagged it with his glove. Sometimes when you are struggling a bit, you go back to just hitting the ball hard where it is pitched and it happens, especially in situations where a home run is actually detrimental to the team effort. garyheifner-you also bring up a GREAT point that really hasn't come out here. BE YOURSELF!! Everybody has their own hitting style. Make it work for you. Teaching bowling for a lot of years, I saw some of the strangest styles, but they worked for the person I was working with, so I tried to work within his or her style to help them. Same in hitting. |
| Nov. 26, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | webbie,kennard..yep,i have always been a middle hitter,b/c that is the way i was taught as a kid,and you now the old adage about teaching an old dog new tricks....just happens sometimes,i have been very lucky as not to hurt someone on the mound yet,now for the infielders,can't say that,i have gotten my share of them. as you 2 say along with gary h,be yourself and let it flow,don't think about it,just hit it.. as for bowling,well forget that,can't understand that i can hit a bucket behind the plate at 50',but can't roll a damn ball for 60' and can't get the 1-2 pocket..... |
| Nov. 27, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | mad dog-I can average 210 plus bowling and can't throw a strike from the mound-go figure. |
| Nov. 27, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | tell me webbie,some sports just don't transfer over do they,LOL.... |
| Nov. 29, 2010 canIjack Men's 60 322 posts | Hey guys, which swings do you use to hit Home runs with? The conventional swing? The Golf swing, The TOMAH HAWK swing? And were do you want the Ball pitch? Knee ht. waist, Chest, Over- head and how much? I’m trying out the Tomah hawk and I’m popping up a lot (missing the ball), but I like the pop when I hit it,BUT I fear its to late to try a new swing just for more POP(My BA will drop also). Which do you use and why? |
| Nov. 29, 2010 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | Don't change your swing. Do 1 thing. Look at the bottom of the ball not the middle. Guaranteed to hit it in the air. Don't upper cut don't do anything else just look at the bottom of the ball. Quit thinking, you know it gives you headaches!!!!!!!! |
| Nov. 29, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | mike u saying.duh see ball hit ball...LOL..basically thats all it is,and yet so many people try to make it so complicated.i was a wrist-er playing BB,waited till the last second,was deadly on off speed,would foul off a lot off fastballs tho,oh well.my swing has finally gotten more of a longer swing for softball,but every now and again my BB swing will surface. kennard like mike says don't change,to much work..LOL.... |
| Nov. 29, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | oh forgot,i swing basically level,and hit anything thing from the knees on up to almost my eyes,just depends on the situation i'm batting in... |
| Nov. 29, 2010 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | To say "Look at the bottom of the ball not the middle. Guaranteed to hit it in the air" is a bit short-sighted. That is fine if you have the power to consistently hit it out. If not, and that is most players, you are just hitting most likely catchable fly balls. So for true power hitters that might be good advice, but for the typical guy it will do him little good. |
| Nov. 29, 2010 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | Shortsighted If I was talking to anyone other than Kennard, Maybe. He is 5'11" and 235ish and strong as a freaking bull..LOL..if you are 235 then I am 245. Pitcher releases the ball..Wait for the ball..1001..1002..1003..Once the ball reaches its apex..Look at the bottom of the ball..stride..front foot down before the swing starts forward..swing level through the strike zone..bat strikes the ball..wrists ahead of the barrel of the bat..In my case grunt like you mean it..finish with your hands no lower than your armpits..wherever your bell button finishes will usually indicate the direction of the ball..It sounded better though when it was see the ball hit the ball. |
| Nov. 29, 2010 canIjack Men's 60 322 posts | Mad dog you are so right See Ball Hit ball, U can't hit what U don't see, Well Mike, you have tried to get me to swing for the bottom of Ball for years(Cracking too many Mikens with the Mavericks ) ; BW is trying to get me to swing at the lower half also. I think it’s easier to hit the middle of the ball. I tried to hit the lower 1/2 in BP but too many long high fly’s that are outs or barely make it over the fence. Oh I hit some nice shots but I wasn’t consistent with a 750 avg. more like 500 avg. I like the ball Eye level, but when I'm trying to hit HRs, I seem to dip to try and get under the ball instead of driving thru the ball. I also think that Patience, yes Patience is a really big part of hitting the ball. Mike I just weight in at 242 lb, Holidays you know. All those Sweet Potato Pies Mikey. |
| Nov. 29, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Canljack-It sounds like you have not hit that many homeruns in the past. My advice is don't change your game. Making the wholesale change like that almost never works without a big drop in average. Then, if they back the game off to less power, you have to go back to the old swing. Make a homerun a mistake-and integrate that into your game (which if you play with the Mavs I bet you already have). (Especially if you are hitting 750 plus. Which also makes me think this is a tongue in cheek question as I hear the Mavs are a very powerful team). |
| Nov. 30, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | kennard how about looking just south of center on the ball,instead of looking at the bottom of the ball(i'm like you and like to hit near the center of the ball,but get a lot of knuckle balls off the bat),all you need to be is 1/4" below center for you to get the good backspin that makes a ball travel. |
| Dec. 1, 2010 canIjack Men's 60 322 posts | Webbie I came from fast Pitch to slow pitch, I would bunt or slap hit before I even think about a hr. And like I said before, I’ve hit Hrs in the past with wooden bats. I really never thought about hrs that much until I played for the Mavericks (2001-4 2005-7), its part of their DNA. Last week I had a bad weekend (6-11) trying to hit every ball out of the park, using the Tomah hawk swing. Bad move, I almost lost my regular swing.Hey Mad dog & Mike I tried to hit lower part of ball again last night but a lot of High flies. I'll stick with the middle of ball to hit knuckles and line drives. I rather have a hard line out instead of a easy fly out. Thanks Guys for the remarks |
| Dec. 1, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | kennard,i think mike and i might have to throw the BS flag on the bunting and slap hitting part,DOH,LOL... biggen..... as far as looking at the bottom,try (like i said)to look just below dead center and not at the bottom of the ball,its what i attempt to do,yeah i do get my share of knuckles,and like you i love to hit them,as they are harder to catch.LOL... |
| Dec. 1, 2010 canIjack Men's 60 322 posts | md, Like everything else, I'll have to practice.....looking just below dead center, Sound good, we hitting today and tomorrow...I will let you know. Now with this new location on the ball, I'm expecting to hit 7 out of 10 pitches over the fence and the other 3 line drives some where up the middle(with pracice of course). Hey just leting you know, just what my expectation are. I just want to be like Waddy,Mike A,Steve I, Those guys do hit alot of Hrs. Its crazy, I get Old and now I want to hit Hrs. I just love this game. |
| Dec. 2, 2010 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | canljack-your experience last week kinda makes the point not to mess with what works for you.I came from baseball and fastpitch and it took a while to learn to hit slowpitch. First game I grounded to the pitcher 4 times.wow!!Do what you do best!!! (Albuquerque has several fields with 250-275 fences if you want to hit dingers--and 5500 feet!Come on out and we will have a beer after the game! |
| Dec. 2, 2010 canIjack Men's 60 322 posts | Same swing, different location on ball was working pretty well on our 2nd round of hitting yesterday. I like what I saw. And the experiment goes on. Bye the way guys, I'm hitting with a Hall of Famer (Waddy), and Ron of double Play, these guys can hit. Thanks again Guys for your remarks. "’Always trying to get better". |
| Dec. 2, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | hey don't watch conny's swing,i have seen some of the ugliest swings out of him for hrs,don't know how he does it. good luck even tho i'm sure you don't need any.. |
| Dec. 16, 2010 Mario Men's 50 451 posts | If you look at all the Super Division Players and watch what pitch they hit the farthest, then you will find out that the chest high to the head high pitch goes the farthest. Not everybody can hit this pitch, but everyone can learn to hit it. The key to hitting HRs is to position yourself in the batters box so that you get your pitch the most. For example, if you like the chest pitch then you will have to be in front of the plate in senior ball because the plate is a strike. Next you need to draw a box over the part of the plate that you hit the best. This box faces the pitcher, then you wait for a pitch to go in your box. Hitting Hr's is all about decipline. When your pitch goes in that imaginary box then you have to swing on the same plane as the pitch comes in. If the pitch is a little flatter, then you swing is flatter, if the pitch has more height to it then you swing will be at a higher angle. You send the ball out just like it comes in, and boom, HR!!!! |
| Dec. 17, 2010 surf88 Men's 65 1000 posts | Mario, Talk a bit more about the imaginary box if you would. I'm not a HR hitter but I hit hard and I want to better my average next year. Had shoulder surgery last November and was a bit weaker this season in hitting. Also any feedback on bat weight. I am thinking about going up one ounce from 27 to 28. Thanks to all for feedback. |
| Dec. 17, 2010 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | ed stay with the 27,your arms are not big enough to pick up a 28 oz bat,LOL... personally,i think the box is a good example mario.i feel mine is just below that(belly button to chin),i also can golf them out on occasion tho.i have taken that inside and low pitch right down the line,don't ask me how i keep it fair, i just do. for the guys who don't think of themselves as hr hitters,i would just make sure i hit the ball hard,the rest usually takes care of itself. |
