I am thinking about getting back into baseball again in 2009, after not playing for 14 years (last played as a senior in HS). I have been playing slowpitch softball since then. Here is a video of my slowpitch softball swing. What do I need to do to change it to a baseball swing again? Maybe a wider stance & shorter stride? Its been so long, I forget what my baseball swing used to be like....
With that swing - and a wood bat in your hands - you will be lucky to hit the ball past the pitcher.
Stick with slo-pitch softball and a couple of beers IMO.
You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time. ~Jim Bouton, Ball Four, 1970
Posts: 5809 | Location: Huntersville,NC | Registered: December 27, 2002
If you really wanted to see a ball hit, you should have seen my friend Dirk Androff hit a ball. He missed once and I was playing 3rd base on the opposing team. Never saw the ball. Took one of my front teeth out.
Originally posted by BlueDog: Td25, what do you believe are measuring points for a good swing?....As per body movements, what are you attempting to do in your slowpitch swing?
Basically, I just try to hit hard line drives to all parts of the field. That video only shows me working on pulling the ball, though.
As far as measuring points for a good swing, playing baseball, I was always taught to have as little movement before the pitch as possible, stay balanced, and drive down and through the ball on the swing.
Here are a couple pictures of my swing at contact, and follow through. Maybe it helps more to see this. The 1st 3 I am pulling the ball, the last 2 I am hitting opposite field....
Posts: 11 | Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Registered: March 07, 2008
As far as measuring points for a good swing, playing baseball, I was always taught to have as little movement before the pitch as possible, and drive down and through the ball on the swing.
Is that what these two hitters are doing?
Read the Bible often...
Posts: 3623 | Location: Southern U.S. | Registered: December 30, 2002
As far as measuring points for a good swing, playing baseball, I was always taught to have as little movement before the pitch as possible, and drive down and through the ball on the swing.
Is that what these two hitters are doing?
No, but I don't believe Sheffield's swing is a good one to teach people how to hit. Its probably the noisiest swing in MLB. He is the exception to the rule. Wallace swings for the fences every time (he is hitting in a HR derby there). If I try to emulate their swings, I would be flying out all the time (I am 5'8" with very good speed).
My swing more resembles Justin Morneau, except that my hands are already back during my stride, and Morneau brings his back.
Posts: 11 | Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Registered: March 07, 2008
With the slo-pitch swing you have bravely posted - against an 85-90 MPH pitcher - you would be getting your wood bat busted alot.
That swing will work with a ball coming in at about 20 mph - and getting hit with a $400 rocket launcher - but it wont ever work in baseball.
If you want to play baseball -you need to go back to the drawing board on the swing. IMO.
You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time. ~Jim Bouton, Ball Four, 1970
Posts: 5809 | Location: Huntersville,NC | Registered: December 27, 2002
With the slo-pitch swing you have bravely posted - against an 85-90 MPH pitcher - you would be getting your wood bat busted alot.
That swing will work with a ball coming in at about 20 mph - and getting hit with a $400 rocket launcher - but it wont ever work in baseball.
If you want to play baseball -you need to go back to the drawing board on the swing. IMO.
Well, give me some concrete tips, then. I used to be a very good baseball player in highschool, and we played against some good competition, but that was 14 yrs ago. As with normal highschool pitchers, most pitched in the 70's and low 80's. I remember facing only 2 pitchers that approached 90 mph. One guy I hit well (3-5, 2BB), and one guy blew me away (0-2, 2K), but that was basically mixing his 90+ mph fastball with an incredible curve. Now, I am looking to play in a league that is 28+, and from what I hear, noone really has a great fastball anymore. Allot of junk.
Posts: 11 | Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Registered: March 07, 2008
I am sure getting back into baseball would be alot of fun - and I hope you do it and do great and enjoy it.
But if you play in a competitive baseball league - you are going to need to go to a good hitting instructor - and completely revamp your swing. You may also find that hitting a 80-90 mph fastball is pretty difficult when you havent played baseball for 14 years.
I do hope you do it and do real well too - but I dont think that swing is going to make it happen on a baseball field.
Good luck and have fun!
You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time. ~Jim Bouton, Ball Four, 1970
Posts: 5809 | Location: Huntersville,NC | Registered: December 27, 2002
If your hardball league is anything like the one I have participated in the last 7 years, I wouldn't be too worried about the pitching being too over powering. Most of the pitchers try to live on the outside corner and yes, mixing in a ton of junk.
Your swing isn't Joe Mauer caliber, but who cares. It is somewhat compact and if you can drive a ball on the outside part of plate, you'll have a blast playing hardball again. Its a chance to leave real life for about 6 hrs a week and be a kid again. I'm 38 and I look forward to catching up with guys every year.
Teach the 3 P's. Pride, Poise and Perseverance
Posts: 84 | Location: Tulsa, OK | Registered: February 12, 2008
