BASIC PHILOSOPHY

Slap hitting is an offensive strategy designed to place stress on the defense and provide more opportunities for our offense to score runs.

The slap hitter must be concerned with getting on base anyway she can. Thus, on base percentage is much more important to her than batting average is.

WHAT IS SLAP HITTING?

A batting technique that is used to hit a medium to weak ground ball to the farthest point in the infield (the 3B/SS hole) from first base. Using this technique, the batter first begins by running in the batter's box and then contacts the ball. RUN FIRST, HIT SECOND!!!!


WHY DO TEAMS USE SLAP HITTING?

The more things a defense has to consider or do to gain an out, the more difficult it is to get that out. By making use of team speed through slap hitting, pressure is placed on the defense, especially the SS and 1B. Hurrying a throw after fielding a slowly hit ball, trying to catch a throw on the run and find the base, and not knowing if the batter will slap, bunt, or swing away, usually will produce more base runners and thus more opportunities to score.


WHAT PLAYERS BECOME SLAP HITTERS?

Left-handed hitters or right-handed hitters who learn to hit from the left side and who can reach first base in 3.00 seconds or less.


HOW IS IT DONE? WHAT ARE THE MECHANICS OF THE SLAP?

A. RUN FIRST - Toward pitcher as the pitch is delivered. Not peeling off toward first base.

1. Front foot pivots (may use jab step when advanced)
2. Rear foot crosses over (aggressively) the front foot
3. Land on the front line of the batter's box
4. Hips open toward pitcher/front shoulder remains closed

B. HIT SECOND - INSIDE OUT SWING

1. Hands held high and close to body.
2. Hands come forward with the crossover step
3. Throw knob of bat inside path of the ball
4. Head of bat remains back (toward the catcher)
5. Contact is made deep in the strike zone - as the ball reaches the middle of the body
6. Slow easy swing, slightly downward
7. Follow through - release top hand to help with running start

VARIATIONS

1. Slap
2. Drag bunt - use same hand positions as the slap
3. Plant feet and hit away
4. Hard slap - through the SS/3B hole in to left field or over the heads of the infielders
5. Selecting the Options
a. Infield and outfield back = Drag bunt or slap
b. Infield in/ outfield back = Hard slap or punch over infield
c. Infield and outfield in = Plant and swing away