Why cant I hit a HR in Slowpitch SB?

Question

I am farily strong, I can bench 260lbs and squat 275lbs for reps. I am 5'10'' I could hit HRs in baseball but can't seem to get the hang in slow pitch. I get the ball to the warning track with little effort but cant seem to break through to get it over the fence....???? What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

Derek had the best answer that I can say but I can add a little to that.

Check your stance in the box. Most players that change over from Baseball to Softball don't change their stance.

Still have the feet wide apart and take a small stride. With Softball you have to wait a longer time for the ball to drop into the hitting zone and when it does you don't get a full stride and turn on the ball.

Watch the big hitters in your league, they'll have their feet almost together and when the ball enters the zone they launch at the ball. Big stride and Full turn, lots of power!

Also bat weight and type also make a HUGH difference.

Types of bats allowed is determined by the league. So if you can use a Miken or any Double / Triple walled bat, go for it.

Those bats can make an average player look like an all-star.

They also cost a bit more but if it's allowed then spend the money and go yard.

Answer 2

you obviously know something about baseball/softball so I'll spare you the obvious answers... I'd try 3 things...
1... improve you flexibility... you're strong, but flexibility will increase your bat speed.
2... work with an impact bag or a tire or a deflated basketball.. practice hitting those things to improve the finish of your swing.
3... MOST IMPORTANT... be selective at the plate... wait for pitches in your wheelhouse... you can always hit a single once there is two strikes... I made this adjustment to my approach and it paid off.

Answer 3

level swings in baseball produce backspin which keeps the ball in the air longer. In softball the same level swing doesn't give you as much backspin because of the arch of the pitch. you have to swing up a little with a little arch to get under the ball a little bit. You will probably get a lot of pop ups when you start out but you'll get the hang of it. Not everybody can turn their good baseball swing in for a good softball swing. It's a hard transition. good luck.

Answer 4

Part of the problem might also be the speed of the incoming pitch. Part of the energy of any batted ball is a result of the speed it had when pitched. When you change the direction of the ball the vector on the energy changes - Newtons Laws of Thermodynamics

Answer 5

Are these "moon shots" to the warning track, or are they line drives?
If its a moon shot, you need to level it off just a bit.
If its a line drive, you need a little more lift.
There's a lot of good advice here.

Great bat speed and putting all the elements of your swing together will work wonders.

Answer 6

You are not doing anything wrong except maybe trying to hit a home run. Just swing away, and the home runs will come. But if all you do is try to hit one, you will constantly be off balance and will end up striking out a lot. Be patient. The home runs will happen!!

Chow!!

Answer 7

With your natural power, stop "TRYING" to hit home runs. Just concentrate on making good solid contact with the ball, and good things will happen.

Answer 8

u can hit a baseball and a softball the same way but the baseball will always go farther because the softball is bigger and baseballs go farther their in nothing wrong wit u its just the softball

Answer 9

Get under it a little more, get more lift on it, if that dont work, go back to baseball. U just arent meant for the softball leagues

Answer 10

try changing your swing
for example put some more weight on your back leg or rotate your hips more