Baseball bat grips and angles

The bat grip is what connects the baseball player to the bat and affects the way the bat moves through the strike zone.

The benefits of holding the bat correctly

1. You will have a faster bat speed. By getting more whip.

2. Your entire body will be more relaxed.

3. Your bat will be in a stronger position when you hit the ball.

▷ With the speed of the ball, if you don't have a strong grip, the bat will actually slow down or bounce on contact with the ball. This obviously leads to weaker contact.

▷ You should be able to drive across the baseball field.

4. If you are fooled on the field, your hands will be able to make adjustments to be in the best position.

Hold the racket correctly

1. Place the handle on your lower hand and place the end of it on the ground in front of your front foot.

This small movement will tilt your bat slightly and help your wrist get a little extra whip.

2. The index finger of your bottom hand should be bent around the bat, but separate from the other 3 bottom fingers that surround the handle. Your knuckles should be pointing down the barrel.

3. Hold it in your fingers as far away from your palm as possible.

4. Pick up the top hand and hold it the same way, placing the handle on your fingers.

The second knuckle of your finger should be almost aligned.

5. Keep your fingers as light as possible. As the swing progresses, your grip will automatically tighten until it touches the strongest part of the bat's grip. This all happens automatically.

▷ When you are about to start your swing, just focus on a light grip.

▷ Your upper body will usually be as relaxed as your grip. Remember, the more relaxed you are before an explosive movement, the more explosive it will be.

How to be in the strongest possible grip position

▷ Hold the handle with both hands and walk to where you will make contact. 

▷ Look at your hands. 

▷ The strongest position is when your bottom palm is facing down and your top palm is facing up. 

▷ If you open your hands, they should be parallel to the ground.

▷ When you make contact, your grip will naturally tighten and your thumbs will not let the bat hit backwards.

Angle of the bat

When you complete the separation phase of your swing and your hands are cocked back and ready to shoot forward, the angle of your bat can determine who you are as a hitter.

Bat angle 1 - S straight up and down (perpendicular to the ground)

▷ The back of the swing takes longer to reach the batting cage.

▷ Naturally, your swing will have a small circle

▷ This position generates more power because of the extra length at the back of the swing, you create a longer space to increase your bat speed.

Bat angle 2 - flat lie (parallel to the ground)

▷ The back half of your swing will be shorter than the ball.

▷ You will have a more direct path to the ball

▷ You won't generate as much energy because your bat will move a shorter distance.

Option 3 - A combination of the two

▷ Most people use an angle between upright and lying flat.

▷ It depends on how you control the bat and what type of hitter you are.