Slap or Swing Away (Slapper's Decision)
Also known as: when should a slapper swing away, slapper swing away, should a slapper hit away, slapper hitting away, slap or hit away, slapper swinging away
A slapper should swing away when the defense crowds in to stop the slap and bunt, when she gets a pitch up she can drive, or when the game needs extra bases. If the corners and shortstop play back, a soft touch or drag bunt usually works better. The power slap is the swing-away option with a running start.
Her threat is choice. She can bunt, tap it softly, hit it hard on the run or take a full swing. The defense has to guess. When it guesses short game and charges, a hard swing gets the ball past drawn-in fielders.
Reading the defense starts before the pitch. Watch the third baseman, the shortstop and the first baseman. If they creep in, a hard swing has room. If they stay deep, the short game is open. The count matters too. Many left-side hitters swing away early when the pitcher is behind and must throw a strike.
Some also hit from a planted stance. Coaches use it when a hard thrower beats the running approach or when a big hit is needed. Either way, the decision usually comes from the coach's sign or a plan made before the at-bat.
Tips by skill level
Before each pitch, look at the third baseman and shortstop. If they are in, think hard contact or a full swing.
Show the swing early in the season. Once the defense respects it, the short game opens up again.
Example
With a runner on second, the third baseman and shortstop creep in. She power slaps a hard ground ball through the hole for an RBI.
Why it matters
A hitter who only bunts and taps lets the defense crowd her. Swinging away at the right time keeps the infield honest.
Common mistakes
- Swinging away into a deep, ready infield
- Bunting into a charging defense
- Deciding during the pitch instead of before it
- Never showing the swing so the defense ignores it
Frequently asked questions
When should a slapper power slap?
When the infield is drawn in to stop the bunt and the soft short game. Hitting hard gets the ball past them.
Can a slapper hit away from a stationary stance?
Yes. Some hit from a planted stance against hard throwers or when the team needs a big hit.
Related terms
- Power SlapA power slap is a slapper's full swing taken with a running start through the batter's box. It drives hard grounders and line drives past a drawn-in infield.
- Soft SlapA soft slap is a short, controlled slap that places a slow ground ball where the infield cannot make a quick play. The slapper runs through her crossover, keeps her hands inside the ball and meets it out in front with a short, firm stroke. Most slappers aim it at the left side of the infield, where the throw to first is longest.
- Slap HittingSlap hitting is a left-handed offensive technique where a fast runner moves through the batter's box toward the pitcher while making contact, converting their running start into a head-start toward first base.
- Left-Side Defense vs SlappersLeft-side defense against slappers adjusts the shortstop's and third baseman's positioning and first-step reads. It covers both a slapped grounder and a bunt.
- Reading the Bunt DefenseReading the bunt defense means checking, before the pitch, how the corners and pitcher are set to field a bunt. That read decides bunt type and placement.
Related guides & benchmarks
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