The Truth's post is anything but. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and some folks don't care for the short game. That's fine. I am a big proponent, because I have seen it used effectively to postively impact team offensive production. I also like it because I think it is one of the unique elements that sets fastpitch apart from its hardball brethren, which many feel is too slow and boring. The Truth made statements that were factually incorrect though, not just opinions.
Truth (NOT) #1: "Slapping works best against young inexperienced fielders." Factually incorrect. It is used at the highest levels--it's not even a point to argue. Just watch top-level NCAA teams, the NPF, and national teams. Very common to see #1, #2, and #9 hitters as slappers.
Truth (NOT) #2: "At higher levels, slappers are low-average hitters. Most are liabilities to their teams." Factually incorrect. Again, there are slappers at the top of the lineup across many top D1 college teams, NPF teams, and national teams. Even the dumbest coach won't put low average hitters at the top of the lineup, whether slappers or not. The one Truth that I will agree on is that there ARE low average slappers just like there are low average regular hitters. I do not necessarily believe that there is a significantly higher percentage of high-average slappers compared to high-average regular hitters. In general, I do think slappers will hit for higher averages, though, simply because if leftys don't eventually master the short game, they will likely quit slapping and focus on hitting away.
Truth (NOT) #3: Using Caitlin Lowe as an negative example of slapping is just silly. Her and Natasha Watley are the "poster children" for slappers. Using a 10 AB sample to make a point is senseless. Look at Lowe's body of work over her career. The numbers speak for themselves. You can find multiple 0 for 10 sequences that Albert Puhols has had this year, but I don't think anyone would draw conclusions about his ineffectivness from those small samples.
Truth (NOT) #4: "Kids: Don't throw your scholarship hopes away. Stand up and HIT!" All I can say to this is, Kids, don't take that advice. It is merely one person's view. I have first-hand knowledge on this one--my daughter has committed to a D1 college, and that schollie was earned, by and large, because of her ability to slap and use her speed to mess with the defense. That's a fact, not an opinioin.
I am admittedly biased and a big fan of the short game. I can respect opinions even if I disagree with them, but I do feel compelled to chime in when factually incorrect statements are made, especially when advice is given to kids based on such statements.
As a proponent of slapping, though, I will say that it is not a "magic bullet". Just like with regular hitters, there are great slappers and there average slappers, and yes there are some bad ones too. Not all slappers hit for high averages, and certaily not everyone can our should slap. In fact, most players should NOT slap. The first and most important criteria is speed--if God hasn't blessed a kid with above-average foot speed, then slapping should not even be considered.
