The Right and Wrong Ways To Hold a Baseball Bat

Understanding the right and wrong ways to hold a baseball bat can elevate your game as a hitter by altering you to hitches in your grip, stance, or swing.

Hitting a baseball is arguably the most challenging feat in sports. It can be even more of a chore if you’re holding the bat incorrectly. Knowing the right and wrong ways to hold a baseball batcan make you a better hitter than you thought possible.

Get a Grip

The most crucial component of holding a bat is finding the perfect grip. Anyone who picks up a baseball bat must have an effective and comfortable grip. However, there is no universal method of gripping a baseball bat, so the right grip can range from person to person. What we proclaim may not be the right fit for you, but let’s touch on the two most frequently used grips: the “door knocker” and “box” grips.

Door Knocker

The door knocker grip is relatively new to the scene, though it’s picking up traction as hitters at every level begin to implement it. This grip is ideal for making contact because it gives a hitter elite bat control, and feeling the bat on your fingertips gives you a better sense of where you want to swing. Batters behind in the count may go to this grip to foul off any tough pitches to extend their at-bat or put the ball in play.

Box

The box grip remains the most common grip hitters employ. A box grip can add power to any swing by keeping the back elbow up, adding more torque to the swing. A box grip also prevents you from rolling your wrists, limiting weak groundouts from your repertoire.

Find Your Stance and Bat Angle

Like a batting grip, a stance can vary from person to person. But even with unique batting stances, the bat’s angle is usually one of three possible options. The first bat angle is perpendicular to the ground. With your bat locked in this stance, you will elongate your swing, generating more power overall.

If contact is the name of the game, you should opt for a parallel angle because it is the shortest route to the baseball. You’ll lose some power but annoy opposing pitchers with long at-bats. A hybrid between the two may also benefit well-versed sluggers who want to add power and contact.

Review Frequent Mistakes

There are several bad habits that a hitter may inadvertently develop, so it’s vital to recognize two common flaws now. One major issue is putting the bat in your palms. This fault will cause a hitter to worsen their reaction time, making it difficult to react swiftly to a certain pitch. Instead, let your fingers dictate your swing.

The second grave mistake a hitter can make is white-knuckling your bat. There’s no need to put a herculean vice grip on your bat. Let your bat do most of the work while you focus on loosening your grip. Once you find the right baseball bat, all you have to worry about is your mechanics.

Learning the right and wrong ways to hold a baseball bathelps baseball players at any level. Whether you’re teaching a child how to hit or trying to add power to your arsenal in your adult league, learning the science behind a swing aids you immensely.