Softball Hitting Tips ? Choosing the Right Softball Bat Wouldn’t it be great if you could just pick up any bat and yet hit the ball consistently? However, that is never the case. Different types of softball bats would have different effects on the way you perform on the plate. That’s why it’s important that you choose the right bat for you. If you know what softball bat’s right for you and use it, your game will be much better and significantly more consistent. But choosing the right softball bat isn’t just about buying what’s cheap, expensive, or what looks nice. It’s all about knowing what will greatly benefit your performance. So it pays to know how to choose the right bat for you. If you need help in choosing the right softball bat, I have the guide just for you. Bat Length Let’s begin with the length. The right bat length will improve your accuracy and hitting distance because you’ll be able to hit the ball in the bat’s sweet spot much easier this way. An easy way of checking the right bat length for you is by checking its length against your height. Ideally, you would want a bat that’s around half of your height. Or you could also choose the ideal bat for you by comparing its length to your age. Younger players should use bats around 24-31 inches in length. Adolescent players could go for longer bats. Bat Weight Another thing you should check out when buying a bat is the weight. If you’re a young player or a beginner, it would benefit you if you settle with lighter bats to help you develop your swing and to prevent the risk of injury. If you’re a more experienced player, you probably would choose heavier bats for increased swinging power. Materials Used in Softball Bats Then there are the different materials used in bats. Today, you’ll rarely find softball bats made out of wood. The most popular materials being used for softball bats today are aluminum and aluminum bats lined with graphite/titanium. Both of these types of bats are made of light materials so you can swing the bat much easier if they’re made of either of these. Another plus is that aside from being light, these materials are also very durable so they can endure the wear and tear that they’re subjected to during games and practice. But what’s the difference between plain aluminum bats and aluminum bats lined with graphite/titanium? The addition of graphite and titanium to aluminum bats make them less susceptible to vibration, especially when you don’t hit the ball in the bat’s sweet spot. Barrel Size, Taper and Grip You should also consider the bat’s barrel size, taper and grip when buying a softball bat. But what do they mean? I’ll try to explain things simply for you here. A larger barrel size (the combination of the bat’s length and diameter), the larger the sweet spot. However, bats with large barrel size are heavier, so take that in consideration when buying a bat. Then there’s the taper which is the diameter of the bat’s handle. Just like the barrel size, the larger the taper, the heavier the bat will be. Finally, the grip refers to the material used to cover the bat’s handle. There are different materials used in grip, ranging from leather to rubber. Depending on the material, the grip can either increase your grip on the bat or reduce shock when hitting the ball. Now that you know things like bat length, weight, barrel, taper and grip, what should you do next? Check out your local sports shop and look for the type of bat that you think meets your expectations on the right bat dimensions. But more than that, also try to swing that bat several times to see if that’s indeed the bat you need, from the length to the weight. At the end of the day, I hope this guide has helped you choose the perfect softball bat that will take your game to the next level. Marc Dagenais is Softball Peak Performance Coach that helps softball players turn their athletic talent into extraordinary performances and help coaches get more out of their players, turn their struggling team around or get an edge over their opponents. Visit us at softballperformance/softball-tips/softball-hitting-tips.html
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 03:21:48 +0000