The off-season is a true test of character for any player in any sport. Players who are complacent and content with being average love the off-season because it gives them time to relax and enjoy the time off. Players who strive for greatness love the off-season because they know while they’re taking hacks in the batting cage getting better, their “competition” is sitting on the couch. Since we know you’re in the category of the player striving for greatness, we know you can benefit from integrating a training bat into your off-season workouts.
There are four basic types of training bats that help to improve some of the most important components of a swing: hand-eye coordination, bat speed and bat path. Lets take a look at these training bats and the purpose of each one.
Hand-Eye Trainers
Hand-eye trainers are designed to feel like normal bats, but feature a narrower barrel. The smallest hand-eye trainers have a barrel diameter of only 1” in diameter. The reason for this is to improve hand-eye coordination, which is arguably the most important component of hitting. Here are a few examples of hand-eye trainers:
Flat Bats
Flat bats are similar to regular wood bats with the exception of a flat hitting surface. The purpose of the flat hitting surface is to give the hitter instant feedback when they do not make solid contact. The result will be a level, more efficient swing and the ability to keep the barrel of the bat in the hitting zone longer (better bat path). The longer the bat is in the hitting zone, the better the chance of making solid contact. Here are a few examples of flat bats:
Brett Bros. Flat Bat Wood Training Bat
D-BAT Flat Bat Wood Training Bat
One-Hand Trainers
One-hand training bats are typically between 18” and 28” long and are one of the more popular and widely used training bats. They provide multiple benefits to the hitter. Not only do one-hand trainers help to strengthen hands and forearms, they also aid in improving hand-eye coordination and overall bat control. Here are a few examples of one-hand traners:
Louisville Slugger One Hand Trainer
Americas Bat Co. One Hand Trainer
Old Hickory Bat Co. One Hand Trainer
Weighted Bats
Weighted bats are regular length but extra weight, designed to make the bat much heavier. This extra weight helps to increase bat speed. Some of these bats are designed only for use while on-deck, whereas some can be used while hitting off a tee or during soft-toss drills. Here are a few examples of weighted bats:
Louisville Slugger Wood Training Bat
Bones Bat Maple Wood Training Bat
Brett Bros. Warm-Up Training Bat
Do you have any experience using one of these awesome training bats? If so, we’d love to hear your feedback and how your training bat took your game to the next level. Do you have pictures or videos of yourself putting in hard work with one of these training bats? Submit them for a chance to win a JustBats.com gift card for $25 or $300 in our Gift Card Give Away!
