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Online now: 3 members: 3_SoftballFreak, TABLE SETTER 11, softball4b; 139 anonymousDiscussion: Open or Closed stance..
| Posted | Discussion |
| Aug. 7, 2012 Olden Slow Men's 75 209 posts | Open or Closed stance.. This may have been discussed before but I am curious..Reasons for open or closed batting stance. I see both and personally I am a closed stance hitter..Any comments.. Thanks |
| Aug. 7, 2012 garyheifner 649 posts | Went to an open stance 2 years ago. I feel like I see the ball better out of the pitchers hand and have less mis-hits or better stated feel like I hit the ball dead center more-result more and better line drives. |
| Aug. 8, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Tom, there is a third option. |
| Aug. 8, 2012 Olden Slow Men's 75 209 posts | G19..Which one ? Take 6 months off and then quit or neutral stance ? :-o) |
| Aug. 8, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | No,no, not quit at all. Neutral is what I was thinking. It is what I use. Comfortable for me, but I have seen many open. Few closed in my experience. |
| Aug. 8, 2012 Mario Men's 50 451 posts | If you start with a closed stance, then chances are you are not totally opening up your hips. Most senior players have a bad hip rotation as we get older. The open stance lets you open your hips more, thus giving you more power. |
| Aug. 8, 2012 Tim Millette 615 posts | It's not how you start.... It's what your launch position is. The more your able to close/pop your hips during your swing, the more power you have. If you have already opened your hips before your hands come through your cheating yourself of a lot of power. But..... No matter what your hips do.... Unless your able to extend your arms and snap your wrists your killing you ability to power the ball. |
| Aug. 8, 2012 ? 121 posts | Truth is there is no "PERFECT" stance. It's up to each individual to figure out what is "comfortable" and "works" for them. Pete Rose, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams all were great hitters using completely different stances. What works for Kevin Youkilis or Jeff Bagwell most likely will not work for anybody else. The stance is only a "starting point". |
| Aug. 8, 2012 Olden Slow Men's 75 209 posts | Tim...Senior softball is fairly new to me..What do you mean "launch position"..I am familiar with "launch angle" in golf...I am basically a line drive hitter with occasional pop and I find this subject interesting... ?: Rose.Ruth etc are trying to hit a 90 mph fastball...Slowpitch is a little different, but I understand your point.. |
| Aug. 8, 2012 0 70 posts | Olden Slow Yes Rose, Ruth were different in that they played baseball. But they used different stances to accomplish hitting the ball? DOES ALL THE PLAYERS ON YOUR TEAM STAND EXACTLY THE SAME? IF NOT...WHY NOT! |
| Aug. 8, 2012 ? 121 posts | Olden Slow So you want to talk slow pitch softball players? OK Does Carl Rose, Brett Helmer, Denny Crine and Mike Machenco all use the same batting stance? |
| Aug. 8, 2012 Olden Slow Men's 75 209 posts | Lighten up guys...0 ?..I'm not looking for an answer...Just curious..And no, all the guys on my teams don't use the same stance...Know the names..Helmer,Crine and Machenko but as most of us..We're not in the same category as they are. I'm sure as heck not.. |
| Aug. 8, 2012 Tim Millette 615 posts | All of those great softball players have/had two important things in common with their swings.... They all got arm extrention with GREAT wrist snaps... Some stood open, some closed, some with feet far apart, some stood tall with feet close together, some squatted, some held their hanks high, some low....All possessed great hand speed. |
| Aug. 8, 2012 ? 121 posts | As I stated previously: Truth is there is no "PERFECT" stance. It's up to each individual to figure out what is "comfortable" and "works" for them. OUT |
| Aug. 8, 2012 ChiPrimeMarty Men's 60 104 posts | Some of us who grew up in Chicago playing hi-arc 16" softball move both feet after the pitch is released to get in better position relative to the location of the ball in the hitting zone. That approach was more necessary for hitting a 16" ball dropping almost straight down behind the plate than in 12", but old habits and muscle memory die hard. My stance at the beginning of the swing is pretty closed and not really different than batters who don't "run up" at the ball (as my approach has sometimes been called) but after iitially struggling to hit barely legal flat pitches at the front of the mat I learned to move my starting point forward to where my lead foot is just behind the front of the mat. I still like to start on the outside edge of the batters box and move towards the plate to hit that outside pitch to opposite field. |
| Aug. 8, 2012 salio2k Men's 60 547 posts | OLDEN SLOW ...... If you are serious about hitting, you should check out Todd Graham's swingmechanics.com. There's a lot of good information there. Even if you are comfortable in your present stance, you might just be an average hitter, compared to what you could be with some work. |
| Aug. 8, 2012 Bubble Gum 122 posts | Maybe SLOW should get off his computer and go take batting practice. That way he can find out the answer for himself! |
| Aug. 9, 2012 Olden Slow Men's 75 209 posts | Guys..Thanks for the input..Bubble Gum, my hitting is fine but I figure a person can always improve by listening...Except apparently for you. I guess you have it figured out. |
| Aug. 9, 2012 CAPT D5 120 posts | Olden Slow, you are correct, this board should encourage,seeking and sharing info. I've noticed too many cheapshots and put downs that aren't warranted. This board is for all senior players and supporters. Some try to use it to put down others, thats a cheap and easy route. The vast majority, I notice, are very helpful, so don't let the ego gamers discourage your efforts to share ideas. |
| Aug. 9, 2012 Full Monty 88 posts | I am a closed stance hitter I am basically a line drive hitter with occasional pop Bubble Gum, my hitting is fine SO WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT TO HEAR? |
| Aug. 9, 2012 Olden Slow Men's 75 209 posts | Monty...Just looking for opinions..My hitting is fine but not great...But I figure until I bat 1.000...It can improve... |
| Aug. 9, 2012 CAPT D5 120 posts | That which is interesting and constructive, is probably what Olden Slow wants to hear. Using an open or closed stance depends on many factors. This can be an interesting subject if the know it alls would allow others some respect to share views. If not interested in the subject you can just ignore with out the need to slight with B.S. |
| Aug. 9, 2012 Full Monty 88 posts | I am a closed stance hitter I am basically a line drive hitter with occasional pop Bubble Gum, my hitting is fine SO WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT TO HEAR? |
| Aug. 9, 2012 Full Monty 88 posts | Can you name anybody that bats 1.000? |
| Aug. 9, 2012 CAPT D5 120 posts | Often when reading a post looking for intent helps to understand the message. Too often the intent doesn't appear to do credit to the writer. I suppose with an open forum some carp is to be expected. It is a bit disappointing to see so many positive posts turned negative. I will follow my own advice and just ignore certain comments, a lot like dealing with attention seeking children. Perhaps I've been expecting too much, thinking seniors more mature. Olden Slow, keep looking to improve by seeking and sharing ideas. I often learn new things that improve my game by listening to others. Seems the older I get the more I realize how much more I can understand. Good luck on improving your game. Believe me, there is much more to learn about the topic you posted about, than what some are implying. |
| Aug. 9, 2012 Shut Up & Pitch 67 posts | So Private d5 I have read your posts on this subject and I have noticed you have not offered Slow any useful information about hitting. What do you suggest to Slow? Closed or Open? |
| Aug. 9, 2012 CAPT D5 120 posts | Shut Up and Piitch, what is your need to refer to me as Private d5. Do you have a purpose. I have been a private and was proud of it. Anyway, your intended slight duly noted. No need to give Olden Slow hitting advice on this thread while the general tone has been turned negative. We could get into a pissing contest which appears your intent. My intent is to encourage constructive posts without the disparaging comments which too often occurs. I realized my efforts would solicit attacks by some, but thats fine, if it contributes to more thoughtfulness toward others. I stopped posting for a while after seeing how often peoples posts were attacked by some people. So I have told you my purpose is to take up occasionally for those I see slighted. I hope my limited effort while make a positive contribution to what is a good message board for senior softball. Again, what is your intent, is it something you can |
| Aug. 9, 2012 swing for the fences Men's 50 1224 posts | Shut up and pitch... I suggest you get comfortable and use good mechanics to get your hips and bat thru the hitting zone simultaneously! you have to have good hip rotation and this happens when you squish the bug with your back foot.... when you see a successful ball strike at any level you will see three things... good balance great timing and a hip rotation that points your belly button towards the pitcher on contact, which means you rotated your hips. how you start is not as important as how you line it all up thru the hitting zone! FYI |
| Aug. 9, 2012 CAPT D5 120 posts | Sorry, I got interrupted, Is your intent something you are proud of, Shut up and pitch. I don't intend on playing a petty game here if that is your intent. |
| Aug. 9, 2012 CAPT D5 120 posts | Swing for the fences, thanks for hopefully getting this back on a constructive purpose My contribution is that I use a different stance based on what I am aiming for. A closed stance allows me to wait longer for the ball with my front shoulder tucked back under my chin. The closed stance allows me more constancy. An open stance allows good vision with my dominate right eye as a right handed hitter. I also get more power if I use a high leg kick. The problem with the high leg kick is you have to get the front foot down in time, which can be a timing problem. Without the leg kick power can be lost with the open stance. An open stance can also help if you tend to not let the ball get deep into your hitting area. Like said, this can be an interesting topic if one wants to get into it. I don't like coming off as a know all and like to hear and respect others ideas. |
| Aug. 9, 2012 CAPT D5 120 posts | Shut Up and Piitch, what is your need to refer to me as Private d5. Do you have a purpose. I have been a private and was proud of it. Anyway, your intended slight duly noted. No need to give Olden Slow hitting advice on this thread while the general tone has been turned negative. We could get into a pissing contest which appears your intent. My intent is to encourage constructive posts without the disparaging comments which too often occurs. I realized my efforts would solicit attacks by some, but thats fine, if it contributes to more thoughtfulness toward others. I stopped posting for a while after seeing how often peoples posts were attacked by some people. So I have told you my purpose is to take up occasionally for those I see slighted. I hope my limited effort while make a positive contribution to what is a good message board for senior softball. Again, what is your intent, is it something you can be proud of. |
| Aug. 9, 2012 CAPT D5 120 posts | Sorry for the above repeat post, I meant to erase it. |
| Aug. 9, 2012 Olden Slow Men's 75 209 posts | Guys..Thanks for all the constructive points. some interesting things to ponder...For the other morons....It must be sad to have to be the way you are...Being an old guy, I tend to look at things on a more positive note. That being said, if you are going to post assinine comments, you're only wasting your time because no one really cares what you think except mommy and daddy.. |
