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Hanover Thunder Fastpitch Softball! |
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Thunder Pride... |
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Coaches Corner... |
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“There are 3 kinds of lies: (1) Lies (2) Damn Lies, and (3) Statistics” Here is a tale of 2 batters — Batter #1 is 4 for 10 (0.400) and scored 5 runs. Batter #2 is 1 for 10 (0.100) with 1 RBI. Who do you want up in a crucial game situation? Who do you want in the game? If you answered the question with anything except “Who put the ball in play, who hit the ball hard each time up, who worked hard to keep their team fired-up, who played the best in the field?” then you answered prematurely (too early). What if I told you Batter #1 struck out 4 times and popped out twice — the 4 hits included 2 infield “dribblers” and weak popups over the 2nd baseman’s head? She scored 5 runs because she walked 3 times and had good hitters in the line-up following her. What if I told you Batter #2’s hit was a key double with a runner in scoring position, hit 4 hard line drives that just missed getting through the infield, and didn’t strikeout? Now answer the question — who do you want up in a crucial game situation? Statistics that we put on the website are for “entertainment purposes only” — the manager and coaches know who is hitting the ball well — your batting average for a game, tournament, or for the year does NOT determine your position in the line-up! If you work hard, the results will show (not in statistics, but on the field) and you will be rewarded...
NOTE: The statistics are recorded as they will be in high school — if a fielder misplays a ball, drops or bobbles a ball, an error will be recorded and an at-bat will be charged.
The Mental Approach to Hitting (modified from Wendell Kim article) · Be positive. This is an absolute key to a successful at-bat. When you believe that you will hit, you will hit! · Great hitters fail more than twice as many times than they succeed. You cannot carry the baggage of a previous strike-out or poor at-bat with you when you step up for your next at-bat. Your present at-bat is the only one you can do anything about! How you deal with your failures determines how successful you will be. · "Attack" the pitcher. When you leave the bench, be ready to swing the bat. Don't be passive and dig yourself a hole. In each at bat, you want the pitcher to feel that you are the hunter and she is the prey. · In every RBI situation, you must remember that the pitcher is the one in trouble. · Control your emotions if you do make an out. Pitchers take great pleasure in seeing batters suffer and your anger will act as a "reward". Do not give pitchers the satisfaction of seeing your anger! · Use the bench and on-deck circle! Watch the pitcher very carefully. What is she throwing? What is the release point? What are the pitcher's tendencies (e.g.- fast ball- fast ball- breaking ball)? When in the on-deck circle, use your warm ups to get your timing lined up with the pitcher.
· Have sound practice habits and practice with a purpose. Learn to use the whole field. · During the game, go to the plate with a plan. Know the pitcher and the game situation. · Once in the batter's box, trust your swing and focus on tracking the ball.
· Keep it simple. The bat should be a size and weight that feels comfortable to you and one that you can handle with ease.
· The bat should be held in the base of the fingers; not back in the hands. · Hold the bat loosely, free of tension. Tension is the number one enemy of hitters. · For most hitters in normal situations, middle knuckles should be close to being in line.
Set Up · BE COMFORTABLE. The set up should be whatever is comfortable as long as there is proper balance and plate coverage.
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