Selecting The Baseball Or Softball Bat Thats Right For You Can Be A Tough Decision

My hope is after reading this I will have simplified the process for you

, as much as one can anyways. Looking here at the bat size chart, you will see the average bat length for your corresponding weight and height. Selecting the bat length is actually the easy part. The next step is choosing the desired weight, which of course is a much more difficult decision. Your ideal baseball or softball bat will feel comfortable and well balanced when you swing it. Well balanced means not too heavy, not too light, but comfortable. If you select a bat thats too heavy it will result in a slower than natural swing, which results in a bad approach as you make contact with the ball. On the other hand, swinging a bat that is too light may cause you to open up too fast, and result in wasted power.

A couple popular tests for determining the proper swing weight are described below:

1. Take the handle of the bat in your right hand if you are a right-handed hitter (left hand if you are a lefty). Point the bat straight out from your side, keeping your arm straight, flat and parallel to the ground. If you can hold the bat in this position for about 25-30 seconds without dropping the barrel, then it's probably a good bat for you. If the barrel drops, the bat is probably too heavy, and it's recommended to try a lighter swing weight.

2. A coach or parent takes the bat at the barrel end and extends it to the hitter. The hitter places his or her bat across the palm of his bottom hand, with the palm facing upward, and then wraps their fingers and thumb around the grip in a comfortable position. The coach then releases the bat. If the hitter cannot control the barrel end of the bat - meaning it drops more than one inch or two - the bat is too heavy, too long, or both. The grip of the bottom hand should be firm, with most of the grip strength coming from the middle two fingers.

When in doubt between different swing weights, it's usually suggested to go with the lighter one. Never swing a bat that feels even slightly overweight, as it will be too difficult to control.

Another important factor in selecting your bat is barrel length. In general, longer barrel length increases the potential hitting surface, and will directly increase good bat-to-ball contact, which should then increase your batting average. To put it simply - a longer barrel will get you on base more.

by: bennasir

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