Softball Hitting Mechanics Aren't Enough

unfortunately, as much as I talk to Vision Training drills with teams, it seems most coaches stuck in their ways, say they agree, though don't enforce any drills to improve their players vision.  There are MANY drills and most times, the girls say they enjoy them, and some ask for doing them, but without emphasis by the coaches (and buy-in??) , and planned/organized activities, the girls don't have buy-in.   Seems same as Dynamic stretching. I hear coaches talk about hw stati stretching is not good BEFORE an activity and Dynamic stretching is important, but coaches don't enforce it!

I agree, I teach eye-hand co-ordination as the number one drill in practices. We work on mechanics and they are very important when facing the best pitchers, but geneally speaking you are dead in the water without eye-hand co-ordination. One other item that is extemely important is bat spee Give me a quick bat with great eyes and you have a very good batter.

I have have been surprised at how little time is spent (if any) on actually teaching hitters the strike zone and how to recognize balls and strikes. Everyone has helpful advice "be a hitter" or "swing at your pitch" after the fact rather than work to help the hitter 'see' balls and strikes. I start with showing the hitter that anything above their hands in the ready position is too high - don't swing. This gives a reference point they can relate to. (The hitter is the ONLY person on the field who can not see the ball and plate (knees and armpits) at the same time. And they are the ONLY one who has to do something with a ball in the strike zone. Teaching a young hitter to recognize balls and strikes and only swing at good (strikes) pitches is the fastest way to reach productive at-bats for a young hitter. Best drill I have found is to pitch about 1/2 distance from behind a screen. I throw about 50/50 balls and strikes talking about each pitch and explaining why they should/should not have swung. I point out the pitch they want to hit is right down the middle. I point out 2nd strike pitches that are borderline, and bad pitches they should never swing at. This increases the chance of walks (not singing at bad pitches ) and making contact (swinging at balls in the strike zone). It is amazing how quickly at-bats can become productive.

I agree 100%...this is something I've been telling players and arguing with coaches for many seasons now. One of my best arguments came when I asked one of my coaches, "If a player hits a homerun, how can you tell her she's not swinging the bat correctly?" I got no answer.

First let me adrress Coach Daveenov comment: If your Bench players dont resect the mental side help them dont condem them because with proper teaching they will become your best asset. I watch Travel Coaches all the time forget about the kids on the bench then get upset because they dont perform when call upon. If you want them to perform when called upon keep them informed as you go: Example when your defence is out in the field have one of your Coaches explaining why this happened or why that happened let them understand the game through your eyes as a Coach. The results will suprise you and your Coaching staff.
As far Hitting: Proper Mechanics are important as well eye hand coordination. Babe Ruth said it best in a interveiw one time if i can see it i can hit it and he didnt have the best mechanics but was one of the all time greats.

I'm a HUGE believer in teaching during the game.  15 years of Softball, after 7 years of Baseball (and 10 yrs of footall!)  For me, live game situations make more of an impact when the players can see results of actions (good or bad).   I've actually been asked by one coach NOT to teach the game during the game, that the players should just be loose and not have to learn during the game!  I respect his policy for his team, though never heard that before or since, so I'm glad to hear someone else disuss teaching during the game.

i agree. i am a college player myself and i notice we work both hand eye and mechanics at bp. both are needed for the other

Very true - lots of my players have perfect swings down the middle, but have trouble really seeing the ball and keeping their hands up to hit high strikes or moving the bat down to get the low ones. You also need to be on time of course. It's a combination of both good mechanics and knowing where the ball is and taking the bat to it. No question.

So correct. The vision and hand eye coordination is one of the most over looked parts of the hitting mechanics. So many times I see parents spending thousands of dollars sending their daughters to hitting coaches teaching them to hit off a tee and a pitching machine and never taking the time to teach the hand eye coordination it takes to hit in game situations. There are many drills and exercises for hand and eye coordination that should be used every day.

Yes, hand/eye coordination is essential. However (as a coach on a travel team), I wish players on the bench would respect the mental side of hitting. I often say "You might as well lock them in a room, and call them when it's their turn". Batters need to know what the pitcher is throwing (can they only hit the outside corner High/low ?), do they have a change-up (do they only use it late in the count ?), what is the umpire's strike zone (are they calling the low ball)?, and what did the last batter say about the pitcher ? (she threw 4 pitches high and outside, etc..). If you plan on batting and you are not watching these elements, your sweet-swing is helpful, but not the total solution. Also, get rid of the "home-run" swing. As you indicate, it's contact, contact, contact...

To help our rec team get ready to bat, we started having the 3rd batter (in the hole) sit on a ball bucket at the dugout opening. From that position her 'job' is to retrieve the bat when the current batter hits or walks. I just have to ask "who's on the bucket?" and they are already getting ready (helmet, gloves, bat) to sit on the bucket. They love sitting on the bucket waiting for their turn to bat. Their focus naturally is on the field not the dugout. Once they have hurried to retrieve the bat before other players/catcher/umpire have tossed the bat back, they are ready to take their swings and prepare in the on-deck circle. At first I was just concerned about the bat retrieval so no one got hurt from tossing bats around. But after a game or two I saw the difference in their attention being directed on the field before they bat. They love siitting on the bucket. I also know where to find them if I want to talk to them before their at-bat Early enough so it does not interfere with their on-deck preparation, but late enough so I can address the particulary situation as it is unfolding.

Attitude and the mind. Do you have your hitters going out there excited and just looking to hit the ball. Any ball that is in the right area, for that batter, should be smacked.(If that's what the coach has ordered of course).
Rather than the batter who goes out there hoping for a walk, looking for balls, and only wants to hit the ball if they really have to.
Further, much of technique is set up by what the mind has already decided to do. "I want to hit it over the back fence!" then the back shoulder has to drop and the weight stay back......basicaly. "I want to slap hit or bunt it down third" then the shoulders remains up, the weight forward and over.........
so the mind and the attitude, and the decision making prior to the pitches are more important than the pure mechanics of hitting. the mechanics mearly enhance what the mind has decided to do.

My question is more aimed at fastpitch bats. My daughter has used the Rocket Tech for the last 3 years. We have gone through 3 of them because she keeps getting flat spots in the barrel. I am looking at the Demarini CF4 ST -9 drop, and the Easton Stealth Speed -9 drop. I want her to stay with an end loaded or slightly end loaded bat. Which of these 2 bats is the better bat? I have talked to many people that claim they both have bigger sweet spots than the ROcket Tech. With the lack of durability of the Rocket Tech we have had, I want something that is more durable with just as much pop of the ball off the bat. ANYONE have any info for me on this one????

everyone loves that demarini. several of my rec and select players use it and its a sweet bat. demarini makes a great product. i see a lot of rockettechs 14u select and lots of hard hits with them - but i find it very interesting - watching a ton of college softball on espn, i have never - not once seen a rockettech and i don't think the newer ones are banned. i also see a lot of easton stealth and synergys - whole college teams using them and demarini, so i don't think you can go wrong with either. i'm staying away from true composites myself - i think they will possibly very shortly be banned. and then you are out $300. There are a lot of new alloy non-composite bats out there that you will never have to worry arout being banned. College baseball banned composites this year. And some local baseball leagues here as well in Cincinnati. Good luck, it's a tough call.