What is Slapping in Softball?
A slapper is a unique hitter that doesn’t exactly do what the traditional hitter does. Slappers are hitters who move their feet while hitting in the left hander batters box. They are great assets to a batting order because they are versatile, difficult to defend, and speedy runners. They put pressure on the defense because of their speed and unpredictability – slappers can hit for power, they can place the ball in precise locations, and they can bunt.
This versatility and unpredictability make it hard for the defense to determine what might happen. Slapping allows for a greater emphasis on hand path giving slappers better contact than hitters. This allows them to direct their hits and bunts away from fielders – something that normal hitters can’t do.
Slappers can already be left handed, but many are right handed hitters who converted to the left side because they are very speedy. As a result of their speed they typically have the ability to be an offensive spark. Great slaps set the tone for the rest of the team (and game). Whether it’s putting down the perfect bunt, tapping the ball on the ground, or hitting a gap in the outfield, possibly the best application for slapping may be for getting on base and rally-starting.
Once on base, these fast runners are the thorn in the defense’s side, as they steal many bases and have way too much fun on the base paths. Good slappers know their strike zones, have great contact, and can put the ball anywhere. This makes them nearly impossible to get out!
EXPLANATION from dominique, the main writer behind BusyPlayingSoftball.
For most of my softball career, I batted right handed. But in the beginning of my Freshman year of high school, I began lessons with a new batting/softball coach. The first thing he told me to do was to sprint 60ft. Once he saw my speed he looked me in the eye and said “You’re never batting righty again”. And from that point on I began batting on the left handers side.
Lefties bunting down the 1st base line is almost impossible to get out
When slappers put the ball in play and on the ground, they beat out throws
When switching over to slapping you must put in the work and devote extra time to learning the fundamentals of slapping
A clip of bunting while moving your feet
Because of a slappers speed, when they “power slap”, triples happen often
Slappers can stand in and swing away as well
Slappers can also pull the ball
Being able to soft slap, bunt, power slap, hard slap, and hit away makes it almost impossible to defend you
Slapping isn’t specifically “soft hitting”. Here is a clip of a home run slap (power slap)