How to develop a slap hitter in fastptich softball

The big challenge is mastering the crossover step and the timing of the swing. The knob of the bat moves forward with the crossover step. The batter is stepping toward the pitcher, not first base. The slap hitter wants to make contact as she reaches the top of the batters box to maximize her head start.

The slap hitter must turn her hips to the pitcher while keeping her shoulders square to the ball. The hands start out high and close to the body. The slap swing is slow, smooth and inside out -- and slightly downward on the ball. Contact is made deep in the strike zone, not out in front. The top hand releases on the follow through. The classic slap swing dumps a slow ground ball to the left side of the infield, allowing the batter to beat the throw to first base. The slapper can't open up too soon, since that would make it impossible to reach pitches on the outside corner.

Dumping the ball

The slapper will also look to dump bunts down the third base line on her way out of the box. Some coaches advocate a one-arm bunt to make this happen -- extending the bat over the plate with the left arm while heading forward. Also, the slapper can change her bat angle and "drag" a bunt up the first line. Bunts directly in front of the plate, beyond the easy reach of the catcher, are also very effective.

The "power slap" must also be used to keep defenses honest. In this case, the batter uses the crossover step but takes a full swing to drive the ball through the pulled-in infield. This tactic is a nice change-up to keep defenses honest.

In addition to the slap, bunt and power slap, a hitter should also use a conventional left-handed swing (if possible) with her feet planted to keep the fielders honest. The stance and box positioning should remain the same for each approach, so as not to tip off the fielders.

The skilled slapper becomes adept at directing the ball away from defenders. For instance, "punching" the ball over the slap defense (third baseman, shortstop and second baseman all in) is another effective play. The slap can be especially effective with a runner on first, since the shortstop is hard-pressed to defend the steal and the slap at the same time. Since slappers keep their hands back, they can learn how to guide the ball through infield holes.