Slapping evolved beginning in the 1980s as a way for fast players to utilize their speed and take advantage of the short distance (60 feet) between bases by batting from the left side of the plate.

Who invented slapping in softball?

Florida coach Larry Ray is credited with developing the slap attack while working as an assistant coach at Arizona in the mid-1980s.

Why do they slap hit in softball?

Slap hitting can be used to try to get the batter on base or to try to advance a runner who is already on base. The goal of the hitter is to slap the ball in a place that is farthest from the base where they don't want the throw to go.