Plate Performance with Coach Paul: Softball And Baseball Swings (Should they be different?)

Plate Performance with Coach Paul: Softball And Baseball Swings (Should they be different?)

It is important for me to divulge upfront that I do not believe baseball and softball swings should be different. I understand the arguments of those who believe they should be different, but I have never been convinced to change my strong opinion.

Pitching is often cited as the primary reason hitting mechanics between baseball and softball players should be different. Also, the physical strength of men and women has caused coaches to concede that their swings cannot be the same. I will disprove both these theories.

The best fastpitch softball pitchers in high school and college deliver the ball with velocities that range from 60 to 70+ mph. With the pitching mound at 43 feet, this equates to a baseball fastball over 90 mph. An ESPN Sport Science study compared the reaction times between baseball and softball hitters. They found the reaction time of a softball player is 20% shorter than a baseball player. This would lead people to believe that softball players need shorter swings to catch up with the ball. They are wrong.

I also acknowledge the angle of the ball coming toward home plate is different between softball and baseball pitches. The angle of the ball thrown by a baseball pitcher is on a slightly downward plane, compared to the flat or slightly upward path of the ball thrown by softball pitchers. This is proof the path of the bat in softball must be different, right? Wrong!

Finally, there are those who point to the anatomical differences between baseball and softball players. Baseball players are typically stronger physically than softball players, which leads those same people to conclude that softball and baseball swings are naturally different. Also, wrong.

I have been teaching the same swing to baseball and softball hitters my entire coaching career with enormous success. Here is why:

But The Pitching Is Different, Right?

Let me first address the issue of the two different trajectories of baseball and softball pitches. No matter the angle of the pitched ball, the swing path of baseball and softball hitters should be at an upward angle of approximately 20%.

Many hitting coaches teach a steep downward swing path to hit the ball with backspin. This flawed instruction leads to ground balls. There is no need for any hitter to intentionally swing down on the ball. The path of the bat will naturally start on a slightly downward path because the hands are higher than the strike zone at setup. The path will quickly change to an upward path as the bat travels to and through the strike zone.

When hitters with upward swing paths hit the bottom of the ball, they enjoy greater distance than hitters with a downward swing path. More importantly, an upward swing path that contacts the middle or top of the ball will still have extra-base trajectory.

But, What About Rise Balls?

Contrary to popular opinion, softball hitters do not need a specialized swing to hit the rise ball. I teach my softball hitters the best way to hit a rise ball is not to swing at it! The rise ball in softball is just like the sweeping curve ball in baseball. These are sucker pitches that are intended to make hitters look silly as they swing and miss.

When hitters alter their mechanics with the hope of hitting the rise ball in softball or the curve ball in baseball, it is a poor decision. Most softball and baseball pitches approach the hitting zone in the same flat or sinking path. The bat position and swing path I teach to softball and baseball hitters are effective for pitches with upward, flat, or downward trajectories.

If softball and baseball pitchers miss in the upper portion of the hitting zone, hitters with an upward swing path have an advantage. Hitters with flat or downward paths will have difficulty hitting this pitch. A powerful upward swing path that connects with a high pitch will result in BOMBS!

The Secret

By now, it should be clear that I strongly believe the mechanics of baseball and softball swings should be the same. The secret is bat speed! For a baseball player to hit a 90-mph fastball or a softball hitter to catch up to a 65 mph pitch, both need to employ similar hitting mechanics. These mechanics will generate the mandatory bat speed to hit fast pitches on-time, powerfully, and consistently.

I have always tried to pattern the hitting mechanics I teach after the best baseball swings in the history of the Game. When I began teaching the “baseball swing” to fastpitch softball players, I received comments that ranged from skepticism to criticism. The only way I have found to respond to these critics is through the performance of my hitters.

The average bat speed of high school and college softball players before I start working with them is typically between 55 mph to 65 mph. After incorporating the core swing keys I teach, softball hitters immediately enjoy greater bat speed. It is common for softball and baseball hitters to increase their bat speed by 5-10 mph after the first one-hour workout.

The goal of every softball player I work with is bat speed of at least 70 mph, which is comparable to the best college and professional players. My elite softball players will achieve bat speeds well over 70 MPH and even over 80 mph. High bat speed not only translates into more power and hitting distance, but it also allows hitters to see the pitch longer before committing to swing at the pitch.

Softball and baseball coaches who believe hitters need a short swing to catch up to high velocity pitches have it backwards. A short swing will result in low bat speed. This forces hitters to swing earlier with less power.

Girl Power

The assertion that the differences in the physical strength between baseball and softball players requires different swings gives fuel to my hitting theory. The hitting mechanics I teach will force both baseball and softball players to use their entire body to generate power to all fields.

Unfortunately, many baseball and softball hitters rely on their upper bodies as the primary source of power. Baseball players have more upper body strength than women, while softball players have more relative lower body strength than men. Too many baseball players erroneously believe they can generate enough power using just their arms. Even though softball players lack the same upper body strength as men, they are wrongfully taught to rely on their arms to hit.

Gender Equality

Hitting mechanics that result in optimal power and consistency require the kinetic connection between the lower body and the upper body. I am an advocate of holistic hitting mechanics that are common to both baseball and softball players. This hitting equality will result in crazy bat speed, power to all fields, and a high average.

**The players in the featured image are Carly Oliver and Max Harper. Both are two-time All-Americans at University of Cumberlands. They also have the same hitting mechanics!

*****

JOIN OUR EIS TEAM!

COPYRIGHT © 2024 Extra Inning Softball TM