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Online now: 3 members: Bob Downs, OutdoorLife360, TABLE SETTER 11; 126 anonymousDiscussion: POWER HITTERS
| Posted | Discussion |
| March 21, 2016 SJV Men's 60 21 posts | POWER HITTERS Why is it 2 guys using the exact same bat with the exact same swing speed can hit the ball so differently ? One guy is 5ft 8in 195lbs just a monster power hitter. The other guy 6ft 1in 235lbs a good line drive hitter but very few homers. What is the reason behind this, just technique ? Seems like the bigger guy would hit it farther, but we all know that's not always the case. |
| March 21, 2016 DaveDowell Men's 70 4312 posts | If you're sure the bats are identical, or if they are using the same bat, then I vote for technique ... Same thing on the PGA Tour where some 5'-8" 150 lb. guys hit the golf ball a MILE (something I have never been capable of doing!) |
| March 21, 2016 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | It probably isn't the same technique. It could be when contact is made, ie one striking the ball before the wrists snat, the other at the moment just after the wrists snap. It could be the differences on the bat, different weights, endloads, different manufacturers etc. If I had to guess without seeing the two, it probably is technique/mechanics. |
| March 21, 2016 crusher Men's 75 524 posts | As an addition to Dave and Bruce, one thing you must have in power hitting is ATTITUDE. There is such a thing as Powering Thru The Strike of the ball. This is where a major increase in distance happens. James |
| March 21, 2016 B94 Men's 50 138 posts | If their swings appear as identical as you suggest I'd offer that it's where they are striking the ball that is the biggest difference. The line drive hitter is likely squaring the ball up hitting it almost on the center line and the "power hitter" I'd guess is striking the ball slightly below the center line generating back spin (cutting the ball) to cause it to lift and carry further... |
| March 21, 2016 Joncon 328 posts | Bat speed is only one ingredient. I think it would be due to the subtle techniques like the wrist snap just before contact and the hip/back leg dynamics. Slight differences can have a huge impact, good and bad. |
| March 21, 2016 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | My suggestion to the guy without power is to attend one of the softball camps offered or look at some videos on Youtube.com. Bogie has a great series there as does Bob Woldike (sp?). There are very capable instructors at the camps, Bogie, Davey Reed, Steve Imlay and others. I probably shouldn't have listed names because some will feel slighted by my omission of theirs. |
| March 21, 2016 DCPete 409 posts | In golf they say the Pros hit the ball with effortless power while the amateurs hit it with powerless effort . . . |
| March 22, 2016 xavier 20 posts | their is no reason for attending any hitting clinic save your money if you don't know how to hit by now then you never will as far as power hitting goes either you can or you cant once again you cannot make yourself a power hitter or can anyone else these vultures love praying on you guys be like taking golfing lessons at 50 and above your brain is already set in its ways not gonna change it in a 3 day camp it would take years |
| March 22, 2016 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Any comment on this Bogie? I beg to differ X. A friend of mine, 69 years old, (never reached the fence in his life) attended Softball Magazine's Senior Camp in December. Through tweaking his swing he now has hit added about 40 feet to his distance with a few hrs. I wouldn't expect someone to leave the camp and start hitting it further. It still takes hours of bp practicing the changes. |
| March 22, 2016 Turbo 34 Men's 50 47 posts | I watched a Ray DeMarini video with Larry Carter swinging the bat for speed checks, then hitting off a tee speed after impact. The purpose was to show bat speed and then bat speed after impact. The best power hitters drive through the ball and finish their follow through after impact thus losing less speed and hitting the ball harder and further. Good eye hand helps batters swing their guts out and still make great contact. Lots of really big dudes can't swing with all their might and still hit the ball as solid as some smaller players. I also believe hitters that bat opposite of how they throw have an advantage with their strong side pulling the bat through the ball. |
| March 22, 2016 crusher Men's 75 524 posts | Bruce so true on the training. If you are a power hitter training and tweaking your swing will help KEEP your power as you advance in age. We can fall into swing traps, that is why professional golfers have swing coaches. |
| March 22, 2016 xavier 20 posts | bruceinGa not calling you a liar but I find it highly impossible for anyone let alone some 69 year old man to put on 40ft from a camp or anything that he does pertaining to softball including steroids and a juiced up bat like I said before either you are a power hitter or your not don't get me wrong you can make yourself a better hitter but 40ft common if your happy doing these camps im sure their happy to take your money |
| March 22, 2016 StevenL.Imlay Men's 60 174 posts | I'm not Bogie and he is the best at this, but I have done a lot of work with individuals including Softball Magazine Senior/Spring camps. Everyone has valid points including Xavier that you're not going to change into a power hitter in three days, but you can start the process and it doesn't matter how old you are you can still improve. As we age we have to make adjustments to continue to hit the ball hard. We did get some great responses and improvements from several people who did pick up 40-60 feet when their mechanic's improved. Even more important many hitters went from fly balls to line drives hitters. These gentlemen and ladies came to camp and worked very hard. We saw some very impressive improvements in the majority of these guys and girls because they listened and applied the advice they were given. After they went home they could still reference back to Bogie's principals in his Swing Makeover series as well. Bat speed is important but what you have to improve is the ball exit speed off the bat. For every 1 mph improvement in exit speed, you can get up to 5 ft of distance. To improve exit speed you have to improve several items, especially good mechanics. Bat speed can be misleading because people can swing like mad to improve speed but have terrible mechanics which doesn't help their hitting. So don't give up just because you're aging, you may just have to work a little harder to maintain or improve. Look at Bruce I would challenge most guys 10 years younger to duplicate his hitting. If you get the chance to go to these camps you will have a great time and maybe even learn a few things. Sorry for long response. Steve Imlay |
| March 22, 2016 nails Men's 70 71 posts | iam in so cal , are there any hitting clinics here,,,i do ok but lots of room for inprovement,,i would gladly take some lessons. Watching hitting videos is nothing like hands on instruction |
| March 22, 2016 Joncon 328 posts | xavier seem awfully concerned with our money :) I believe we are all able to learn and improve anything, no matter how old we are. |
| March 22, 2016 xavier 20 posts | Buddy don't really care how you waste your money just saying if you can't hit by now I don't care how many camps you attend not gonna help you not saying anything negative about the camps if you feel it helps you and your happy then who am I to tell you any different |
| March 22, 2016 Joncon 328 posts | Maybe there is a camp for stubborn old guys??? I will pay for you :) |
| March 22, 2016 xavier 20 posts | Don't really need it have better things to spend my money on |
| March 22, 2016 Dbax Men's 65 2100 posts | Xavier, you are clueless. |
| March 22, 2016 DOLFAN 90 posts | I'm 5-9 210 lbs and hit Bombs all the time. It’s all about pitch selection, wrist and hips...if you can stay inside the pitch and turn on the ball without pulling your hips out, you can even miss it and the ball will still go out. Now that easier said than done....all of us HR hitters can go bad really quick by opening up to fast...if you can stay inside the ball and generate bat speed, it’s gwon… You will hear HR hitters many times say they missed it (almost feel embarrassed ) and it still went out and guys will say "yeah right, you missed it " but we know we missed it. When HR hitters really connect, they feel good. Those want-to-be Hr hitters will be happy when they hit it 301 ft… Timmy D |
| March 23, 2016 bogie Men's 65 448 posts | Many great power hitters like Bruce,Steve,Crusher.. constantly work on their game and improve as they age, which is amazing. The best part is with the internet, you have so much free information, you don't have to pay anything to improve. Most athletes video their swings and compare it to great swings and by working with teammates and sifting thru internet info...improve power immensely and some don't even start until after retirement. Aside from technique, Strength retention thru training and nutrition is a trend that has really improved power in seniors along with a selection of bats that tailor all hitters desires. The camps I've attended seem to have a motivated group and very good success for the minority that attend those. |
| March 23, 2016 xavier 20 posts | Dbax as long as ive been playing this game im pretty sure that I have a clue in regards to softball been around a long time and played at the highest level and still playing major plus so in regards to your statement of being clueless idk every statement ive made was only my opinion let me ask you who or where have you ever played that makes you the expert |
| March 23, 2016 Benji4 Men's 55 289 posts | I'll vouch for Dbax he can play. We were teammates back in the day on the Softball Whores. |
| March 23, 2016 xavier 20 posts | Dbax anything better to do 1471 post I just noticed what your good at if I were you I would stick with it maybe you could start a camp for message board posting should not have to come on here to defend yourself |
| March 23, 2016 Dbax Men's 65 2100 posts | Thanks Benji. What I do know is that you are never to old to improve your game. |
| March 23, 2016 hombre Men's 60 240 posts | Just a comment about old age improvement. I began working with a 70 year old last fall. His swing speed from the tee was 68-72 MPH. We worked all winter indoors using a tee radar, and net. He now swings in the mid 80's and will occasionally hit 90. You can make some dramatic improvement in some areas. I wish I could improve that much. |
| March 23, 2016 Joncon 328 posts | Xavier isn't completely clueless. He's just a stereotypical, stubborn old guy. He is the guy that I strive not to be :) He might be an excellent player but he is simply set in his ways and there will be no further discussion as far as he is concerned. That said, he does seem pretty clueless and negative when it comes to learning something new.....but at least he stopped talking about money :) |
| March 23, 2016 xavier 20 posts | you guys make me laugh once again my opinion don't really care what you think not on here to bash anyone but I might as well start you guys have no problem doing it seems to me im the only one with a clue as far as learning something new whats their to learn its slowpitch softball |
| March 23, 2016 Joncon 328 posts | areyoutoooldtolearnpunctuation? :) |
| March 23, 2016 Joncon 328 posts | Thanks! I'm here all week. Don't forget to tip your waitresses and bartenders. |
| March 24, 2016 xavier 20 posts | joncon money money money keep attending camps maybe someday you will graduate to water boy you Slack jaw |
| March 24, 2016 PoollShark Men's 50 90 posts | xavier, perhaps you're new to internet forums so I'll try to help out. Since you've joined this site you have done nothing but give people a hard time yet you complain that you're being bashed. Now you're starting with the name calling(Slack jaw) and you think anyone's going to take you serious? You may be a great hitter and may have lots to offer but the way in which you're trying to do it is very abrasive and will rub people the wrong way. Lighten up a little bit brother, we are not the enemy here. |
| March 24, 2016 xavier 20 posts | poolshark im in full agreement with what your saying never once did I attack anyone only gave my opinion if you read back I will not come on this board and allow these guys to throw jabs at me an not Retaliate |
| March 24, 2016 SilverGhost 32 posts | Underhand lob ball and some need lessons now that's funny to some, like ole Don Arndt use to say "just give it a lick". What's better a 12inch barrel? oh next week it will be a 10inch barrel and only use this ball when its warm outside, and if you roll your bat your the scum of the earth, and in a study from Dr Blue Balls back in day the core minus the rubber plus the glue makes the synthetic last longer blah blah blah. Now some of the funniest post's of the year are the responses to Tim's claims on illegal players at the worlds, those are real funny absolutely hilarious. |
| March 24, 2016 Joncon 328 posts | Slack jaw? lol You need to attend an insult camp :) |
| March 24, 2016 PoollShark Men's 50 90 posts | xavier, you may want to reread what I wrote. After reading your response I think you may have misunderstood it. |
| March 24, 2016 Hail Ragna! Men's 55 40 posts | Silverghost, you really know Don Arndt? I heard he was really good in his day. Automatic...I never got a chance to see him play...Might have learned something from him. Hail Ragna! A tale is but half told when only one person tells it. |
| March 25, 2016 xavier 20 posts | poolshark I read your post and understood what you are saying im in agreement with you my approach should of been a little more subtle |
| March 25, 2016 SilverGhost 32 posts | HR- No did not know Don Arndt met him in 1983 Burlington Nc and watched him play several times, his line give it a lick just stuck with me because he would just walk up to the plate, big gut and just give it a whack, I bet he never took a lesson in underhand lob ball or tested bats and half the guys on this board are in same class can hit with anything. It would be a nice experiment to play a senior tourney with aluminum and super blue dots wonder what the scores would look like. |
