Spring Break
Slap-hitting: softball's evolution
Joey Harvey
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Sports
Two-spot hitter Nakita Boyce differs from Bramlett in that she had to learn the slap-hitting technique once she got to MSU. It was the first real slap-hitting training she had ever had.
"It was a long, hard and very frustrating process," Boyce said. "Having to learn how to hold the bat in different hands, and how to move and to hit the ball was tough. I started learning a little bit in the summer before I got to MSU, but I wasn't really taught the right way."
Boyce currently sits second on the team offensively, batting .349 with 25 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.
Miller explained how he and his staff went about training Bramlett and Boyce to become solid slappers.
"We start with basic fundamentals, just like we train anything," Miller said. "It's just like throwing, hitting or fielding. We break things down to fundamentals and start drilling them. It's the same thing with slappers. We break things down and introduce one thing at a time, and it grows from there."
Boyce said that most teams she plays against have at least a couple of slap-hitters in their lineups.
"I think it's great to have at least two slap-hitters," Boyce said. "A lot of things can happen during slap-hitting. The defense is very boggled. When they're up against slappers, they're more on their toes, but they're more likely to make mistakes, too.
"Tennessee is very good in slap-hitting. Their girls can put the ball in play pretty much anywhere they want to. That's what good slap-hitters are supposed to be able to do."
Tennessee's leadoff slapper, India Chiles, is currently batting a remarkable .454. She has scored 32 of the team's runs and has stolen 26 bases, getting caught only once.
Miller said it's rare to see a team in the current era without slap-hitters.
"Most teams will have at least one or two in their lineup," Miller said. "I think if you look at the top teams in the country, you'll see at least a couple on most teams."
"It was a long, hard and very frustrating process," Boyce said. "Having to learn how to hold the bat in different hands, and how to move and to hit the ball was tough. I started learning a little bit in the summer before I got to MSU, but I wasn't really taught the right way."
Boyce currently sits second on the team offensively, batting .349 with 25 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.
Miller explained how he and his staff went about training Bramlett and Boyce to become solid slappers.
"We start with basic fundamentals, just like we train anything," Miller said. "It's just like throwing, hitting or fielding. We break things down to fundamentals and start drilling them. It's the same thing with slappers. We break things down and introduce one thing at a time, and it grows from there."
Boyce said that most teams she plays against have at least a couple of slap-hitters in their lineups.
"I think it's great to have at least two slap-hitters," Boyce said. "A lot of things can happen during slap-hitting. The defense is very boggled. When they're up against slappers, they're more on their toes, but they're more likely to make mistakes, too.
"Tennessee is very good in slap-hitting. Their girls can put the ball in play pretty much anywhere they want to. That's what good slap-hitters are supposed to be able to do."
Tennessee's leadoff slapper, India Chiles, is currently batting a remarkable .454. She has scored 32 of the team's runs and has stolen 26 bases, getting caught only once.
Miller said it's rare to see a team in the current era without slap-hitters.
"Most teams will have at least one or two in their lineup," Miller said. "I think if you look at the top teams in the country, you'll see at least a couple on most teams."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Confused in VA
posted 3/06/08 @ 9:41 PM CST
I am a former baseball coach (coaching softball now) trying to understand slap hitting. We play in a league where most pitchers (ok maybe the best pitchers)are pitching 60mph and above. (Continued…)
Emily
posted 10/28/08 @ 3:41 PM CST
Thanks for this! I'm a freshmen and a slap hitter. My coach told me I could go to college on a slap-scholarship he called it. I wasn;t sure if colleges would take me just because I'm fast and can slap/ This was really encouraging!
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