With upgraded scouting/video programs I was able to track nearly 329 groundballs from last spring. The first hop occurred in zones 1 and 2 NEARLY 70% of the time. More surprisingly, over 50% of those occurred in zone 1. That’s ONLY 6 feet from the front of the batters box.

So what does this mean? I know confidently when I fungo groundballs my 1st hop occurs between zone 2 & 3. Do these happen in games? Yes. But practice design needs to replicate what players see in games. How to replicate? Machines can help create spin & different angles.

It’s also important to note… 1. 60% of zone 1 & 2 GB’s resulted in bunny hop (small hops) or a “snake” (nearly no hops). Not a “kangaroo hop” (high). 2. The video shows hitters are either above the plane of the pitch or below the plane of the pitch. Swinging “down” OR “up.”

S/O to @casey_dem for getting me fired up about this topic!

Correction…6 feet from tip of home plate. Not from the batters box.

@casey_dem @RobertFrey40 @UBBullssoftball @ThatGuy__Kai This is pretty legit stuff. Nice job

@casey_dem @RobertFrey40 @UBBullssoftball @ThatGuy__Kai Question: what is your spacing for zones? 6 foot radius per zone from home plate?

@casey_dem @RobertFrey40 @UBBullssoftball @ThatGuy__Kai Yes…but i made a mistake in my tweet. It’s 6 feet from tip of home plate.

@casey_dem @RobertFrey40 @UBBullssoftball @ThatGuy__Kai Good stuff! Could also fungo groundballs from knees would cause the first hop to be earlier.

@casey_dem @RobertFrey40 @UBBullssoftball @ThatGuy__Kai Good stuff