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:

Easton Thunderstick

BamBooBat Soft Toss Trainer

MaxBat Hand Eye Trainer

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:

BamBooBat One Hand Trainer

COMbat One Hand Trainer

Louisville Slugger One Hand Trainer

D-BAT One Hand Trainer

Easton One Hand Trainer

Americas Bat Co. One Hand Trainer

Old Hickory Bat Co. One Hand Trainer

Bones Bat One Hand Trainer

MaxBat 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:

Bratt Bat Wood Training Bat

Louisville Slugger Wood Training Bat

D-BAT The ‘Log’ Training Bat

Bones Bat Maple Wood Training Bat

BamBooBat 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!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c_qYU78nHGs

RIP-IT’s new AIR technology is now available for baseball players in the Prototype BBCOR AIR and for fastpitch players in the Prototype -10 AIR. Simply put, these two bats will be some of the most balanced bats on the market. This will result in better bat control which can help keep you alive at the plate with two strikes or turn a foul ball into a double in the gap. The extreme balance in the new Prototype AIR will also result in an increase in bat speed allowing you to hit for more power!

First, lets take a look at the technology behind the Prototype AIR BBCOR model. Rather than using rings on the inside of the barrel to meet BBCOR standards, RIP-IT uses Rifle Technology to make the inside of the barrel grooved. The Rifle barrel is responsible for making the bat feel so light. In fact, the Prototype AIR has 7.2% better weight distribution than the Prototype II. The Prototype AIR features RIP-IT’s revolutionary R1 alloy. The R1 alloy produces a stronger and more responsive barrel which allows you to hit for more power. The handle of the Prototype AIR is armed with RIP-IT’s Contact grip which provides an amazing level of comfort and eliminates vibration to the hitter’s hands.

Now lets look at the Fastpitch model of the Prototype AIR. The new Prototype AIR will deliver nearly twice the performance as the Reaper and Force bats of old. The main difference between the baseball and fastpitch models of the Prototype AIR is the fastpitch model features R1 composite rather than alloy. The R1 composite is thinner, which allows for more layers, and stronger, which makes for a higher performing bat. The Harmonic barrel not only gives players a larger sweet spot, but creates the sound of a perfect hit. The Ridge grip on the handle is composed of Advanced Memory Foam for added comfort and is designed to eliminate vibration. The elimination of the fear of bad vibration will result in a more confident hitter at the plate.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out the reviews from some very satisfied customers.

RIP-IT Prototype AIR BBCOR

“Wow.... just wow, if you thought the first rip-it bat was sweet. you need to get this bat. larger sweetspot, more comfortable grip. most balance bat i've ever held. this new technology they were talking about is legit.” - Kballer

RIP-IT Prototype AIR Fastpitch

“swings really fast, giant sweet spot, and amazing pop. Favorite FP bat ever!” - Tracey

To make the deal even sweeter these bats are made in the U.S.A. and come with RIP-IT’s 30-day “Love It or Return It” performance guarantee. Check out RIP-IT’s full line of high performing baseball and softball bats and use our Bat Comparison tool on JustBats.com to compare these bats with all of our other fantastic options. If you need help figuring out which bat is right for you, be sure to utilize our Bat Coach and Bat Resource Guide.