Baseball or softball: In the swing, what is the difference between...?

Question

What is the difference between 'pulling' the ball and hitting the pitch to the opposite field? Please be specific! Thanks!

Sooo much good answers so far... it's gonna be tough to choose best! Thanks to everyone so far!

Sooo much good answers so far... it's gonna be tough to choose best! Thanks to everyone

Answer 1

The placement of the ball, either pulling it or hitting to the opposite field has a great deal to do with the positioning of you feet in the batters box. Also whether you coke up on the bat or hold it down on the knob. If you're going to hit the ball to the opposite field usually the batter will drop the rear leg behind the front leg. I'm left handed so I would drop my left leg behind my right. It forces your body to turn slightly toward the opposite field. If you want to pull the ball step with you front foot slightly toward the foul line just out side the batters box. You will see the difference when you hit the ball. The concept is the same in both baseball and softball so I would say there is no difference. I hope this helps!

Answer 2

First of all, there are over thirty aspects of a baseball swing that you can break down and focus on in practice. Thirty little things for a swing that takes less than two seconds to execute. The kicker is that you can only work on a few at a time. For most younger players, it is too overwhelming to put the time and effort into

I always try to send the ball up the middle on a line drive. By doing this, you can react effectively to the pitch that is coming to you. On outside pitches, you are more likely to send the ball to the opposite field. On inside pitches, you are more likely to pull the ball.

You can also adjust the timing of your swing. The earlier you swing, the more likely you are to pull. If you wait just a fraction of a second later, you can send it to the opposite field.

You can adjust your feet, but that only works in slow pitch softball. In baseball and fast pitch scenarios, you will throw off your swing and weakly ground out or pop up because other aspects of your swing will be compromised. If you are changing the stance before the pitch comes, the pitcher and fielders should recognize it and adjust to take away the advantage you thought you were gaining.

Answer 3

A lot of people will suggest putting your front foot forward more in the batter's box (closed stance) to help you hit the ball to the opposite field (for a right-hander opposite field is towards right-center or right field) but personally I find altering your swing at all can hurt your production at the plate, as it is best to keep a consistant swing, I would recommend adjusting your timing instead. If you want to go to right field (opposite field for righties) Rather than changing your stance or your swing, try to time your swing so that it is a bit later. For pulling the ball (left field for righties) try to swing a little bit earlier. This way you keep a consistant swing, and only alter your timing.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

I disagree with Mick7. Your feet and stride have a little to do with it but not much really. To go to the opposite field simply "keep your hands inside the baseball." To understand this concept, think of the baseball split down the middle vertically. There is an inner half (closest to the hitter) and an outer half. When the bat makes contact with the ball on the inner half, it goes the opposite way. When the bat comes around the ball and contacts the outer half you will pull the ball. Also the point where you contact the ball in the "zone" matters. Let the ball travel deeper through the zone to go oppo or hit it in front of the plate more to pull the ball.

Answer 5

In a softball swing u push ur hands toward the ball instead of in baseball wen u just pretty much swing. I had a really hard time with this because i was taught a baseball swing and in highschool my coaches made me change. But anyway pullin the ball to different fields and stuff its just about how u turn ur body and the timing of ur swing. I hope all of this makes sense, or kinda makes sense.

Answer 6

As a Right handed hitter, pulling the ball is anything from left-center field to the left field foul line. Opposite field is hitting it from right-center field to the right field foul line. Vice versa for left handed hitters.

Answer 7

There is no difference. Softball coaches will get mad about a softball player's "baseball swing" but that same swing is also bad in baseball. The way baseball coaches teach you and softball coaches teach you is the same.

Answer 8

The Mick "7" is correct! He should get the points.

Answer 9

The MICK7 has got it WERE NOT WORTHY,WERE NOT WORTHY