Monday, July 13, 2009

Choosing Your Next Baseball Bat

By Colby Brister
People want a baseball bat that looks good and is productive. That's why it is of the utmost importance to choose an appropriate bat. The bat does many things for the hitter. For example, the baseball bat can determine the velocity of your swing, as well as how far the ball will travel after contact. Choosing the right bat will ensure that you use less effort compared to an ineffective bat which will require more effort to get the results you want. You should consider length, weight, and type.

A short bat will not let the hitter hit as many balls within their strike zone as a longer bat will allow. Also, a short bat causes the hitter to reach out and hit the ball, which is definitely a no-no in the world of hitting. Reaching out and hitting the ball causes the hitter to lose their stance as well as their rhythm. To remedy this problem, just get the right size bat. A very long bat is often too heavy. Also, the person will swing the bat slower and this will cause him or her to miss more often than not.

A hitter should stand in the center of the batter's box and put the bat on the home's plate inside corner. The end of the bat should be right where the batter's palm is at. A long bat will extend beyond the palm. A short bat will end where the fingers are at.

Weight is a big concern. There have been several professional players who have been caught up in a cheating scandal involved with lightening their bat in illegal ways. A lighter bat is easier to swing and thus, allows you to hit the ball further due to increased velocity and then you are in control. Cork is illegal in professional baseball because it gives an obvious unfair advantage to the hitter. However, the down side is that a lighter bat will cause batters to over swing. This often causes the hips to fall behind the shoulders. Players are often taught that the hips should be the leader of the swing. The shoulder can't be used too quickly because there won't be enough power in the batter's swing.

You should consider whether you want wood or aluminum for your bat. The type is an obvious consideration you will make because it affects how your bat looks and swings. You should check out the league rules to figure out if either is not allowed before even considering either. If the league you play in doesn't have specifics about what type, then this definitely needs to be discussed.

Aluminum bats are newer than wooden bats. There are different techniques that you can use for aluminum bats that you do not necessarily need for wooden bats. It's important to use the proper mechanics for the particular bat because if you don't then you will do more harm than good.

The weights in the two are different. Wooden bats are heavier than aluminum ones. Players that use aluminum bats on average have a higher hitting percentage because they can adjust at the last minute, whereas players with wooden ones really can't. The density and weight causes a wooden bat to hit the ball further. If you use these tips, then you are on your way to being a good hitter.

Writer and editor, Colby Brister, is a former athelete and a current sports fanatic. His love of the game of football and baseball is reflected in his words and memories of playing sports throughout Junior College with his, cousins and neighborhood friends. His favorite pastime is watching college football on TV and attending every sporting event in person every chance he gets. Colby Brister is a huge fan of the -3 Aluminum Bats and the Aluminum bats from Easton, DeMarini, Louisville Slugger, and Worth, are one of his all-time favorite baseball bats. Check out a few of his favorite Baseball Bats and read up on Baseball Bats here OpinoNated Sportz

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