Administrator
06-11-2008, 11:05 AM
TEXT BY Greg Hartwick
So you want to hit a softball 400ft? I can’t promise after reading this article you will be able to do that but I do believe by applying the right tips from some of the sport’s most acclaimed hitters you will improve your swing. After all, all good swings have to start somewhere, right? Today’s Man sat down with three of the best softball hitters in the world; Rusty Bumgardner (Team Mizuno), Johnny McCraw (Team Combat), and Brian Wegman (Team Easton). All three have a different approach to hitting bombs. But they do agree that the one constant element for a rip roaring swing is bat speed. And to have the best bat swing starts with the right grip. Let’s look at what each has to say.
Rusty Bumgardner is the face of Mizuno Softball. As a USSSA Hall of Famer, Rusty began at a young age playing baseball. His success in baseball led him to play in the Florida Marlins organization. In fact, he hit the first homerun in the history of the organization. Now as one of softball’s all time greats we asked Rusty a few questions about his techniques and power.
Wick:
Rusty, how can the average
player hit the ball farther?
Rusty: To hit a ball farther, there are many elements: pitch selection, equipment, strength and the most important bat speed. “The quickest way to increase bat speed is to change your grip. In baseball the pitcher throws 80 to 100 miles per hour. He supplies all of the power with the speed of the pitch. Unfortunately, in softball we do not have the luxury of a hard fastball. It’s the batter’s job to supply all of the power.
Wick:
So, what grip do you prefer when
hitting a softball?
Rusty: I use a pinky on the bottom hand hanging off the knob. This allows the bat to be longer for more leverage. Then I overlap the bottom two fi ngers of my top hand over my bottom. When you swing try to let your top hand release at contact.This grip gives me the ultimate bat speed without sacrifi cing control.
Johnny McCraw has been the face of Team Combat and Bombaah sports apparel for three years. To see how far Johnny hits YouTube his name and watch in amazement.
In 2007, Johnny won the Long Haul Bombers Tour and holds the distinction of hitting a ball completely out of Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington.
And he, like Rusty also has a baseball background playing professionally in the Houston Astros organization.
Wick: Johnny, to watch you hit the ball
is an awesome sight. I don’t think I have
ever seen a ball travel as far as some
that I have seen you sky rocket. What
is your secret? How do you hit the ball
so far?
Johnny: I use a typical baseball grip. I hang a pinky off for more leverage like Rusty, which I have found gives me more consistency.
Wick:
It helps that Johnny is built like
a Mac Truck also.
Johnny: I swing the heaviest bat possible. I realize that this technique isn’t for everyone. However, I think you should swing the heaviest bat that you can swing while maintaining quickness. Bat speed is key but in my opinion so is the weight of the bat. “ My personal bats are typically 30 to 32 oz.
Brian Wegman has been with Easton sports for five years and is in line to be the face of Easton for many years. He is young and very talented and we personally believe he is the best allaround player in the country. Brian hits big home runs but oddly enough is known for his precision base hitting.
Wick:
Brian, how do you hit such long
homeruns and still be able to dissect the
infield?
Brian: I go up there with a hit line drive mentality. I use all the torque in my legs and hips to drive the bat through the zone. I am not as big as Rusty or Johnny but I use patience and timing. “My grip is consistent with Rusty and Johnny’s. I drop a pinky off the bottom of the knob. It increases the length of the bat which in turn increases my bat speed. If you can increase your bat speed then you increase the distance you hit the all.
So you want to hit a softball 400ft? I can’t promise after reading this article you will be able to do that but I do believe by applying the right tips from some of the sport’s most acclaimed hitters you will improve your swing. After all, all good swings have to start somewhere, right? Today’s Man sat down with three of the best softball hitters in the world; Rusty Bumgardner (Team Mizuno), Johnny McCraw (Team Combat), and Brian Wegman (Team Easton). All three have a different approach to hitting bombs. But they do agree that the one constant element for a rip roaring swing is bat speed. And to have the best bat swing starts with the right grip. Let’s look at what each has to say.
Rusty Bumgardner is the face of Mizuno Softball. As a USSSA Hall of Famer, Rusty began at a young age playing baseball. His success in baseball led him to play in the Florida Marlins organization. In fact, he hit the first homerun in the history of the organization. Now as one of softball’s all time greats we asked Rusty a few questions about his techniques and power.
Wick:
Rusty, how can the average
player hit the ball farther?
Rusty: To hit a ball farther, there are many elements: pitch selection, equipment, strength and the most important bat speed. “The quickest way to increase bat speed is to change your grip. In baseball the pitcher throws 80 to 100 miles per hour. He supplies all of the power with the speed of the pitch. Unfortunately, in softball we do not have the luxury of a hard fastball. It’s the batter’s job to supply all of the power.
Wick:
So, what grip do you prefer when
hitting a softball?
Rusty: I use a pinky on the bottom hand hanging off the knob. This allows the bat to be longer for more leverage. Then I overlap the bottom two fi ngers of my top hand over my bottom. When you swing try to let your top hand release at contact.This grip gives me the ultimate bat speed without sacrifi cing control.
Johnny McCraw has been the face of Team Combat and Bombaah sports apparel for three years. To see how far Johnny hits YouTube his name and watch in amazement.
In 2007, Johnny won the Long Haul Bombers Tour and holds the distinction of hitting a ball completely out of Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington.
And he, like Rusty also has a baseball background playing professionally in the Houston Astros organization.
Wick: Johnny, to watch you hit the ball
is an awesome sight. I don’t think I have
ever seen a ball travel as far as some
that I have seen you sky rocket. What
is your secret? How do you hit the ball
so far?
Johnny: I use a typical baseball grip. I hang a pinky off for more leverage like Rusty, which I have found gives me more consistency.
Wick:
It helps that Johnny is built like
a Mac Truck also.
Johnny: I swing the heaviest bat possible. I realize that this technique isn’t for everyone. However, I think you should swing the heaviest bat that you can swing while maintaining quickness. Bat speed is key but in my opinion so is the weight of the bat. “ My personal bats are typically 30 to 32 oz.
Brian Wegman has been with Easton sports for five years and is in line to be the face of Easton for many years. He is young and very talented and we personally believe he is the best allaround player in the country. Brian hits big home runs but oddly enough is known for his precision base hitting.
Wick:
Brian, how do you hit such long
homeruns and still be able to dissect the
infield?
Brian: I go up there with a hit line drive mentality. I use all the torque in my legs and hips to drive the bat through the zone. I am not as big as Rusty or Johnny but I use patience and timing. “My grip is consistent with Rusty and Johnny’s. I drop a pinky off the bottom of the knob. It increases the length of the bat which in turn increases my bat speed. If you can increase your bat speed then you increase the distance you hit the all.