Hitting and Hitters Discussion Situational Hitting vs Showcase Hitting

[default]

Had this discussion the other day. Wondering what others think. Showcase game with a runner on first base. Should batter swing away or look for a pitch to move the runner?

I guess what my question comes down to is this, does a college coach want to see or appreciate a batter approaching an AB in a showcase game from a "situational" perspective? Move a runner by hitting behind them? A sac fly to score the runner from third, etc? Or, just swing away all day?

 

[default]

How about bunting with a 1-2 count with runners on 2nd and 3rd, no outs, and down 1-0? ;&

 

[default]

The question is does the batter approach their AB differently in a showcase than they would in a "competitive" game?

 

[default]

We have had the good fortune of having Alabama, ND, Georgia, Northwestern, OSU, LSU and Oregon come to watch us play this fall and I will have to say that we went on business as usual. Bunting when situation dictates, squeezing when available etc... I think there is a lot over thinking here.. When a top school comes to watch you specifically, they are looking at many aspects of your game. They won't just watch you play one time, so bunting is something they might want to see you perform..as well as, seeing how a hot corner fields a bunt and or squeeze. Your prospective school will do their homework on you because this is big business to them.
You will see on the showcase trail that there are many different opinions on the style and unwritten rules. We played a team down South this fall where the coaches did nothing but stand on the corners and cheer on their respective hitters and let the catchers call their own games. On the other hand, there are teams that call all pitches in showcases because they argue that the pitches are called from the dugout in college. We have never had a college come up to us after a game and say "why are you bunting?" So my personal opinion is go on business as usual unless you have a coach that want to see a player perform specific tasks. If you are hoping to get noticed by a coach by hitting without having contacted them beforehand or going to their camp, it is my belief that you are going about this the wrong way.

 

[default]

I'm sorry. Didn't necessarily imply to take the first pitch. Just pointing out the difference between a batter looking for a pitch she can drive to the fence or out vs. a pitch on the outside half that would give her a better chance of moving the runner into scoring position.

 

[default]

I think college showcases and what college coaches are 0looking for in them is the most over analyzed part of softball. Ask 10 coaches, get 10 different answers. Just play the game between the lines to win, showcase your entire unsigned uncommitted roster and you'll be fine.

 

[default]

I totally agree. The team comes first. That is exactly what I would want to see as a college coach.

 

[default]

Amen Uber, from a HS coach and college scouts perspective, just play the game when the game is being played. There are ample oppotunities to showcase individual skill and talent during individual sessions. I want to see how the player interacts, reacts and plays within the framework of the game being played.

 

[default]

Perfect!!!

amen uber, from a hs coach and college scouts perspective, just play the game when the game is being played. There are ample oppotunities to showcase individual skill and talent during individual sessions. I want to see how the player interacts, reacts and plays within the framework of the game being played.

 

[default]

How about playing Offensively to win every game, then showcase them defensively in the their #1 and #2 positions. If Showcases were played this way, the College Coaches would get more benefit from every game. This allows for you to insert the kid that the College Coaches want to see HIT and then you know the situation doesn't matter at that point! I wish everyone played to win and only showcased when it's requested for a specific batter. Most dont need to see a hit or a bunt, just need to see a kid swing the bat in every aspect of the count! JMO

 

[default]

I haven't done a lot of coaching girls who are getting scouted, but when I have, I've introduced myself to the college coach, put in a word for the player, and then asked the coach if there was anything in particular they wanted to see offensively or defensively. In the maybe handful of times I have done this, only one had a specific request for the player to play certain positions. The ones who didn't ask for anything specifically ... I played to win.

 

[default]

Based on the original post, I am wondering what pitch a batter should be looking for to move a runner who is on first base? It is pretty hard to hit behind them when their lead will most likely only take them 10 feet or so off the base. Any ball on the ground in front of them should get them forced out at second against a good team. Any fly ball to the outfield will have needing to return to 1B. It seems like about the only way to advance the runner from first base with a swing is to get a base hit. The best choice to advance the runner might be a bunt.