Baseball/Softball power?

AirChair · 07-13-2009, 06:51 PM

What exercises in particular am I neding to do to generate more power in my swing?

I already know that power is generated by a combination of mass of the bat and bat speed; my problem is that at the moment I can't get a 28/30oz bat through the zone fast enough to make up for the extra mass, and a 26oz bat just isn't cutting it. It might have something to do with the humeral stress fracture in my right arm being aggravated by swinging, but for now let's just assume I'm not strong enough.

As a baseball player it was never a problem, but now that I've switched to slowpitch softball and the fences are 300' away as per the rules, I'm finding I can't clear the warning track with even my hardest swings. I can consistently hit to the track, just coming up that extra 15-20' short of putting it over.

flexin007 · 07-13-2009, 10:46 PM

Legs, abs, forearms. In softball, the biggest factor is your BAT. Oz.'s don't make much difference. I've hit slow pitch softballs over 450ft. Just sayin...

L3THAL41 · 07-14-2009, 07:58 AM

I would say call Barry Bonds, or A-Rod! LMAO. I agree with flexin, Legs, Abs, Forearms - with emphasis on the legs. One hugs factor, these days, in softball also depends on what kind of bat you are using - composite, aluminum shell, etc. and what rating. I have seen guys that have no power to hit a softball, and then switch to certain composites and all of a sudden they hit HRs.

AirChair · 07-14-2009, 02:45 PM

Sadly, I've gotten the answer before that the bat makes more a difference than anything else, and have seen firsthand what a well broken-in Miken can do in the hands of the average Joe. Also heard that the specific balls make a world of difference; sadly I'm limited to .44 COR 375 compression balls as per ASA rules.

Guess maybe it's time to retire my old Triple 7 and finally go full composite.

BigD#23 · 07-15-2009, 10:51 AM

a baseball and softball swing are totally different. you need to use your entire body while hitting slow pitch. you want to generate power with your legs core and upper body.

check out swingmechanics.com and look up rotational hitting on Youtube. you should find some good info on hitting slow pitch at both spots. also check out softballfans.com they have a huge forum section over there.

a good swing will make a huge difference in how hard you hit a ball.

burty--5 · 07-16-2009, 08:43 PM

to say it is all in the bat is ridiculous yes that plays a big role but your swing is what counts stay on your back foot and lightly step forward hit the ball when its still 12-18 inches from the plate make sure that you are getting a full rotation with your hips as far as body parts to train the ones mentioned are correct do squats to build hip and leg strength

Im_Possible12 · 07-17-2009, 02:51 PM

Sound mechanics.

Loading with the legs driving with the hips while keeping your hands back shoulders in line and a short compact swing.

Having strong abs helps as well.

Also dynamic movements such as quick explosive swings in repetitions of course, will help you to be more consistent at the plate.

AirChair · 07-17-2009, 08:26 PM

Maybe I'm reading some of the responses wrong, but I think my initial post was misinterpreted...

With a .44/375 ball I can consistently hit to the warning track on a 300' fence, it's just that last bit I'm looking for. I posted a couple up that I'm using an Easton Triple 7 ('04? Has ASA 2004 logo), and from what I'm being told by others and reviews I've found online my best option at the moment is simply to switch to a more advanced bat. If I weren't hitting it over 220' I'd re-assess my mechanics and go back to the basics, but I'm making the (maybe bold) assumption that if I can drive it this far, just not the rest of the way over the wall, at 180 lbs it's probably not a mechanics issue. I was looking specifically for the muscles to strengthen, but the replies have led me to believe I'm working them already and will eventually just progress.

That said, I've ordered a new Miken Nemesis through the local dealer. Went with balanced instead of their Maxload variant, just because I've traditionally found heavily end-loaded bats to be awkward to handle. Hopefully I understood Miken's flex ratings properly, as I understand this bat to actually have a stiffer handle than the Vicious.

I will, however, take the time to record myself at the plate during batting practice and assess my swing. Maybe I'll notice an obvious mistake I'm continually making that's limiting me.

Im_Possible12 · 07-18-2009, 06:21 PM

Not really the bat.

Pros hit with wood... Have you hit with wood before?
It's difficult because you have to get it on the "sweet" spot of the bat while have explosive mechanics.

I decent bat with some good pop on it should be able to drive the ball easily 330.

I'm a d1 pitcher and our hitters have Demarini bats the crack all the time. But I've seen some balls get out in a hurry.

Our hitters aren't Albert Pujols looking, but they do get their hips going with fast hands.

Same for a pitcher. Explosive hips and dynamic movements will create more torque which generates more power and swiftness.

AirChair · 07-19-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Im_Possible12

Not really the bat.

Pros hit with wood... Have you hit with wood before?

I don't mean to be a dick, especially since I posted here asking for help, but that's slightly irrelevant to slowpitch softball for more than one reason. Professional slowpitch players use the hottest composite bats available. Professional baseball players are also dealing with pitches in the 80+ range, and a smaller ball than slowpitch...greater incoming kinetic energy with a smaller aerodynamic profile results in a longer hit.

On the note of "It's the bat", I borrowed a well broken in Miken Maniac 282 (34/27) and went 4/7 with 3 HR, 2B, and three flyouts :-/

Im_Possible12 · 07-19-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirChair

I don't mean to be a dick, especially since I posted here asking for help, but that's slightly irrelevant to slowpitch softball for more than one reason. Professional slowpitch players use the hottest composite bats available. Professional baseball players are also dealing with pitches in the 80+ range, and a smaller ball than slowpitch...greater incoming kinetic energy with a smaller aerodynamic profile results in a longer hit.

On the note of "It's the bat", I borrowed a well broken in Miken Maniac 282 (34/27) and went 4/7 with 3 HR, 2B, and three flyouts :-/

This is true but we are talking about hardball correct?
Slowpitch is way different. And there is pro slow pitch lol???

Brian-13 · 07-19-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Im_Possible12

This is true but we are talking about hardball correct?
Slowpitch is way different. And there is pro slow pitch lol???

all of that is a factory in softball be you could try two step swing that we give you more power to the timeing is hard to get down be it work good. what bat do you have?

CoolHandTodd · 07-19-2009, 11:26 PM

hip excercises are good for going big fly.

AirChair · 07-20-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Im_Possible12

This is true but we are talking about hardball correct?

Ha nope. First post I talked about having made the switch to slowpitch and finding it difficult to clear the fences. The games we play on are all on a 300' fence, although we've occasionally played pickup games on 250'-270', which makes for a lot of fun.

Quote:

Slowpitch is way different. And there is pro slow pitch lol???

I guess not professional per se, but there's the World Softball League which is essentially top level slowpitch.