Finally got in the 'core' mechanic! Whenever your bat/racket makes contact with the soda can (being used as a ball here) it ends up being a totally different thing somewhere on the gradient between 'bat' and 'racket.'

Each variant has its own 'batting' and 'racketing' ranges (see the circles with 'B' and 'R'.) Some variants can do both, and some are specialized to do just one thing.

Batting the soda can makes it fly straight and predictably. Racketing the soda can causes it to bounce around, which can be good to trip up your opponent. But, if the can lands on one of the 'X'-marked penalty zones, you may lose some points.