Choosing the right bat is important. Several things to consider are the weight, length, and type of bat. Once you select the right bat for you, you’ll also need to know how to tame it.
Bat speed is probably the most important factor that should influence your decision to buy a baseball or softball bat. A bat will give the ball more momentum, but the heavier the bat usually means slower speed. With a lighter bat, you’re much more likely to make contact because you’ll have higher bat speed. You will find that most players with high batting averages use lighter bats.
Swing as many different bats as you can. If your team doesn’t have a wide variety of bats to try, try a sporting goods store. Try not to select a long bat that allows you to hit pitches that may end up going into the opposite batter’s box. Consider where you are in the batter’s box to make sure you can spread across the entire strike zone. If a pitch is outside the strike zone, don’t swing it.
Aluminum beats VS. Wooden baseball bat? Aluminum bats are more durable and less flexible, causing the ball to bounce off the bat. Wood bats have a more flexible, classic feel and are generally a bit safer for the pitcher, less of a concern for returns here.
Head to a batting cage to see how comfortable you feel when trying to make contact. Don’t be afraid to have a friend or family member videotape a series of swings so they can examine your swing and make sure the bat allows you to reach the entire strike zone. Once you’re comfortable in the batting cage, you’ll know you’ve found the right bat for you.
Now that you’ve selected the right bat for you, it’s time to tame it. Aluminum bats don’t really need any adaptation. Instead, there are things you can do to adjust to your new bat and ensure you don’t buy a dead bat. Hit about 20 to 30 balls off a tee, rotating the bat a little each time, making sure the entire body of the bat is touched. Then during a game, switch between your trusty wait and your new bat to make sure your new bat is working properly.
To break a composite bat, you must hit 200 to 500 actual bats during infield practice or use a tee if necessary. Continually rotate the bat slightly after each time you make good contact until the entire barrel of the bat makes good contact. Avoid hitting the bat against a tree or putting cleats on it, as these practices will void the warranty.
Wood bats don’t need to be tamed either. Some rules to follow to help extend the life of your wooden bat are to store it at home and to avoid extreme temperatures, such as inside a car or in your garage. Also, there are 2 points on a wooden bat with the highest chance of missing, the logo and the area opposite the logo. Don’t hit the ball in these 2 areas. If you do, you’re almost guaranteed to break the bat.
Bats these days are expensive. If you take care of them and break them in properly, your bat will last you a long time. In the long run, this will save him money and, more importantly, he will become a more consistent and feared hitter.
