How fast should a slapper be?

[frito_burrito]

Oh i see.

The answer is faster than the throw to first!!!!!!!!!!!!!

frito_burrito

[jofus]

Just curious, what do you have the girls do to time them?

What I mean is, do you have them get in a sprinter's start position right on home and go when you say "go", or have them hit a ball off a T from the left side, starting the clock as the bat hits the ball, or what?

[dodgerblue]

When the bat makes contact with the ball is when the timer should start and anything 3.0 and under is pretty good.

[PLCSara]

I suggest timing from 1st to 2nd - running through second. Have her go from a rocker start - starting the clock(straddling the bag) when her front heel lifts off the bag. Stop the clock when she hits 2nd. A slapper should run 2.5-2.8, an athlete below 3.0. This can be done with out special devices, is controllable, and limits human error. Good luck!

[3Bsnag]

Just curious, what do you have the girls do to time them?

What I mean is, do you have them get in a sprinter's start position right on home and go when you say "go", or have them hit a ball off a T from the left side, starting the clock as the bat hits the ball, or what?

When people are quoting H-1st times, it is usually NFCA guidelines which are:
standing in the right batters box (lefties), time is started when the runners first step touches the ground and is stopped on touch of 1B.
That is how it should be quoted, if at all, on profiles, resumes, etc. No need for a fake hit and yes they can be in sprinter form.

But like everyone else said, that has margin of error and really isn't indicative of how fast a batter really gets to first base. I've heard rumors of them doing the 1B to 2B timed run in the future, but hasn't changed yet.

[PLCSara]

That's a great point. I did not know the NFCA had something in print. That link might be helpful. I find those to be the same - heel up or foot touching. They are the same time, just something different to look at. I use the bases because it is easier for the runner. I DO NOT like going off the swing as there is a lot of room for error. Thanks again for that specific link info...great!

[3Bsnag]

http://ftp.nfca.org/camps/FAQs/events.pdf

Funny how they only mention H to H and yet I've seen H to 1st runs at NFCA camps. Does anyone else get the feeling that SPARQ may replace all of it, except pitching and pop times?

[traveldude]

Slappers are kind of a sore subject with me. But i'm pretty sure mife wife can slap me in approximately .6 seconds.
Traveldude (SoCal)