What Makes A Good Slapper?

[InSider]

Seeing the poster asking for slapping instruction recommendations got me thinking about slapping. The relative lack of instructors REALLY got me thinking.

What makes a good slapper? Yes, speed is crucial. However, can a girl who may be a little above average speed, but quick out of the box, be an effective slapper? How do you measure this? I think that very good slappers have a little bit of an intangible quality. Sure, you can teach the footwork. Sure, you can teach the swing. But can the "swagger" needed to excel at slapping, be taught? I believe it can. I do believe it takes an instructor who was an experienced slapper to give a girl the confidence in the slapping mechanics.

Why are there so few great slapping instructors? Is it due to a dearth of truly great slappers? We have quite a few excellent hitting instructors, pitching instructors, catching instructors, and fielding instructors. I truly do hope that as these girls who DO slap well, would pass on their knowledge to the up and coming players.

 

[MD 20/20]

It is difficult to do no doubt, heck it's tough to stand in and swing away, let alone moving toward a moving object. That being said, obviously foot speed is important, as I've never seen a slow slapper, but I think brains (being able to read a defense) and bat control are most important. I also think there are so few instructors is because there are so few slappers to begin with, coupled with "not everyone ends up coaching"

 

[daboss]

On base % is truly the number you need to monitor when judging a slapper. Like so many other things in this game and in real life, there are so many different ways to slap that no 1 way is considered better than another. remember, a slapper has to perfect drag bunting, bunting in general, slap for effect, as well as slap with power to be fully effective. Any or all of these methods can help a team just as bunting is normally overlooked by most teams. As already mentioned, moving and hitting takes talent. While it can be taught it is more natural for some. Do you have the patience to teach it? Many coaches don't.

 

[Long Baller]

I think that the reason you don't see more slappers is because of coaching. Unfortunately, the vast majority of women that played softball at the highest level never put on the coaching shoes when their careers are over. No fault to them, as it is just so easy to become consumed with life, a career, a family, ect., after college is over. But I think that there is more to the problem than just the lack of successful slappers that aren't coaching the younger players.

After being around softball for a number of years, i have noticed that there seems to be a shift away from small ball and more to a baseball mentality. There was a thread here a few weeks ago about "when to bunt", and I was surprised by number of replies such as "bunts are a waste of an out", or "you bunt to move runners forward a base". Slapping and bunting for a hit is always an option when the defense isn't defending against it. I think another contributor to this "baseball" mindset is that the "average" softball player is bigger, and not as quick around the bases as what they were 10-20 years ago.

I also think (actually, I know) that some coaches just don't want to "deal" with the whole slapping issue. Just like anything else, there is a learning curve involved, which means struggles. You see it all the time where a coach will let a struggling hitter go up and hack away, trying to hit herself out of a slump. Its ok, because "when she finally gets ahold of it, its gone...". I've noticed that coaches don't have as much patience with a struggling slapper, and they discourage it when the struggles arise. I think that some of it is because coaches don't know how to coach slapping, and other coaches don't see the value of a ball bouncing around the infield. Because of this, i think that the only girls that continue to slap in later years are the ones that picked it up right away naturally without much struggle.

I feel that girls need to be learning to slap at 10u and 1st year 12u, even if it means struggling through a lot of the season. But we all know by reading the coach's poles that winning is everything at this age, and there is no time to develop players. It's really a shame, because I think that there are a lot of athletes out there that could become good slappers, they just need someone to give them the time and tools to develop.

 

[Slapper00]

Amen brother.

 

[CARDS]

daboss hit it...
The good ones (and I was blessed to have a few over the years) had a great eye to go along with exceptional speed.
They could drag, directional slap and just had a knack for putting the ball in play and rarely struck out.

These ladies generally were team leaders in walks and "forced errors" resulting in additional bases.
Here is some video of one of the ladies I am talking about and one of the best I have had...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqDROjCT1wE

 

[FastBat]

The problem with slapping, there are just too few slappers anymore, it's almost scarce. Last night I watched two 14u games, I didn't see one girl run through on the left side.

If they aren't slapping from the left side, why bother? Yes, I have seen some players run a slap through the right side, I think they are missing the point, JMHO. Besides, most hitters/parents want to hit it over the fence, rather than slap or be a bunter.

When I played, 20 years ago, a large portion of my teammates slapped or did something (bunt, push, slap) from the left side, as righty's, and it was encouraged. And your parents were proud! Now most kids/coaches/parents are almost scared to have them even try from the left side.

My point, it doesn't matter what makes a good slapper, because IMHO, they are under utilized. Slapping is an advanced skill, but it just takes reps, it's really not that hard. I think it's harder to drag bunt, then throw your bat out and "slap". There's more movement with the drag bunt, feet and hands (physically moving them on the bat).

 

[krrcoach]

On base % is truly the number you need to monitor when judging a slapper. Like so many other things in this game and in real life, there are so many different ways to slap that no 1 way is considered better than another. remember, a slapper has to perfect drag bunting, bunting in general, slap for effect, as well as slap with power to be fully effective. Any or all of these methods can help a team just as bunting is normally overlooked by most teams. As already mentioned, moving and hitting takes talent. While it can be taught it is more natural for some. Do you have the patience to teach it? Many coaches don't.

Errors don't count for On Base Percentage. Good slippers will reach base on errors also, however it doesn't count towards their OBP. A good stat for slippers should be OBP+ROE. I wish this was used more. Even with electronic scoring (in, Gamechanger) you have to figure it manually.

 

[manitoudan]

To me , other than the Obvious -- Speed , what makes a great slapper is the ability to hit a ball hard , or burn an outfielder that is cheating in too far . I see quite a few that bunt and tap it pretty well. But when the D shifts and really makes adjustments to take the short game away the great ones will drill a laser beam thru the outfield . So the ability to pull the ball and the ability to bust one in my opinion is what makes a GREAT slapper .

 

[heater]

I posted the original post looking for help, but I can add a few observations. First, Cassie Cunningham kept coming up as a good instructor, and I got to meet her in Columbus this weekend. She seems great but has a waiting list od students, so there must be a little bit of a demand. The coach of our summer travel team has been amazingly patient with my DD while she tries to master the art. She was a decent hitter this past season in high school, but we felt that she needed to take advantage of her speed, and the fact that she is 5'3" she is not going to be bouncing it off of the fence so she may as well get 2 steps closer to first! At first, we would flip her back to right handed when she got 2 strikes, but that did not work out well, and now we are fully committed to slapping. She finds the drag bunt the easiest and has been pretty successful with it. Sha hs had a few hits this weekend with the hard slap over 3rd baseman's head. It seems like the biggest challenge is bat control and being able to soft slap it to SS. Her last game today she put the proper speed on it but pushed it to third instead and was thrown out both times. As Manitoudan suggested, if they can develop the ability to drive the ball hard it would really keep the defense honest. I think it would be very difficult to do and will be the last part of the process that we work on, but we know it needs to be part of the arsenal. If you can master that, you will be able to play anywhere you want. I know I have seen some of the girls in the WCWS do it so it can be done. We are super happy that we have done it and are fully committed to it. We just have not had the time to work on it as much as we want this summer. Thanks to everyone for your advice on this!

 

[MadT]

Are there any slaphitting instructors in SW Ohio?

 

[DanMaz]

If it was easy.... Everyone would be doing it. Slapping has NOT left the game..... you all just don't have patients i guess. My DD is a natural righty batter. We turned her to a lefty slapper at age 11 because of her speed and athletic ability. It has been a struggle at times but patients is key. Working hard and learning from mistakes... not taking the easy way out... work work work. slapping is a huge part of the game and me as a coach would love to fill my line up with 5 or 6 great slappers..... remember... good slappers hit away too... reading defenses.... moving runners..... manufacturing runs. Score 2 or more every inning and you will be fine. hmmmm..... last time i watched college playoffs seems that there are still a lot of slappers.... home runs just look good and are exciting because they are home runs.

 

[Stingrays08]

If anyone needs an exceptional slapping coach in Central Ohio, look up Mark Redfern at Field of Dreams in Lancaster Ohio. He has been my daughter’s slap coach for 2 years...he is excellent!

 

[DanMaz]

anyone starting at a young age can go to good ol youtube..... you will find a lot of slapping instructional videos from top tier college players and Team USA players like Jessica Mendoza, Caitlin Lowe, India Chiles, Team USA coaches and more..... Its a good start for finding out the footwork involved and see how things work. Thats where we went at first. GOOD LUCK and don't stop slapping!!!!!!

 

[BA824]

I think now a days a good defense can shut down a one dimensional slapper. Someone that just pokes the ball and run. To be an effective true slapper you must be a triple threat. Soft slap, power slap and be able to bunt off slap at last minute. This girl still has a huge place in the game but need to keep D honest by learning all 3

 

[DanMaz]

good slappers have 4 threats not 3...... hitting away when the defense is playing up.... PRICELESS

 

[Passion4theGame]

I posted the original post looking for help, but I can add a few observations. First, Cassie Cunningham kept coming up as a good instructor, and I got to meet her in Columbus this weekend. She seems great but has a waiting list od students, so there must be a little bit of a demand. The coach of our summer travel team has been amazingly patient with my DD while she tries to master the art. She was a decent hitter this past season in high school, but we felt that she needed to take advantage of her speed, and the fact that she is 5'3" she is not going to be bouncing it off of the fence so she may as well get 2 steps closer to first! At first, we would flip her back to right handed when she got 2 strikes, but that did not work out well, and now we are fully committed to slapping. She finds the drag bunt the easiest and has been pretty successful with it. Sha hs had a few hits this weekend with the hard slap over 3rd baseman's head. It seems like the biggest challenge is bat control and being able to soft slap it to SS. Her last game today she put the proper speed on it but pushed it to third instead and was thrown out both times. As Manitoudan suggested, if they can develop the ability to drive the ball hard it would really keep the defense honest. I think it would be very difficult to do and will be the last part of the process that we work on, but we know it needs to be part of the arsenal. If you can master that, you will be able to play anywhere you want. I know I have seen some of the girls in the WCWS do it so it can be done. We are super happy that we have done it and are fully committed to it. We just have not had the time to work on it as much as we want this summer. Thanks to everyone for your advice on this!

Heater if you are looking for a good slap instructor in Central Ohio i would highly recommend Haley Widner @ the Bo Dome. We have visited several over the years and she is one of the best in our area. IMO. Check her out.

https://bjescolumbus.com/blast-softball/softball-staff/

 

[DanMaz]

Are there any slaphitting instructors in SW Ohio?

i know a great instructor in NE Ohio.... if you can make the trip... PM me and i will send you her info. Former OSU standout!!!!

 

[Itaintsoft]

Good hand/eye coordination is a must. You have to be able to hit the ball on the "button" when hard slapping to gaps and catch the top of the ball when using the dirt. Also when drag bunting it does no good to pop it up etc. DD was turned around 6 years ago and typically leads every team she plays on in every offensive stat. Including slugging due to solid gappers resulting in doubles and triples.
Loved watching her work the left side thru the years.
BTW, having speed helps a little too.

 

[Long Baller]

i know a great instructor in NE Ohio.... if you can make the trip... PM me and i will send you her info. Former OSU standout!!!!

Dan, sent you a message...