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Softball Bat Holding Guide For You
Read this article to master the fundamentals of softball bat grip. It’s an excellent resource for anyone contemplating taking up softball as a sport or struggling to get the hang of properly holding a softball bat.
Introduction
Sporting softball appears to be a simple sport to pick up. Following proper techniques aid in gaining mastery of the sport. To have a powerful swing in softball, you need to have a firm but loose grip on the bat. Most of the time, athletes improperly handle their bats, so their agility and swinging abilities are compromised. This raises the question of the optimal manner to hold the bat.
back to menu ↑Gripping a Softball Bat
Softball grips, like other sports, have techniques peculiar to them. The typical softball grip has its distinguishing feature of automatically rotating your wrist when you swing. The traditional or finger grips are commonly used, and when using either, your middle knuckles must be lined up properly, with the bat kept within reach of your fingers, not your palm, to avoid injury.
- Identify the softball bat’s handle and maintain a comfortable stance.
- Place your right hand (if this is your dominant) on the handle of your bat, above your left hand, and hold it low.
- With your right hand placed on top of your left hand, line up the handle of the bat against the base of your fingers. To ensure that you are on track, stretch the bat in front of you.
- Grip the bat’s handle solidly but not too tightly.
- With your fingers wrapped around each other, the knuckles are then straightened and positioned parallel to the ground.
- You can rotate your hands so that your knuckles line up from your right to left hand.
- Take the bat over your shoulder and back to your front to determine the strength of your grip. Your knuckles should remain in position.
- Maintain a relaxed light grip to ensure a faster swing with little wrist pain.
NOTE: Position your hands correctly at all times and don’t grip the bat too far back to avoid injuring the base of your thumb.
These tapes are perfect for improving the grip on your new or existing bat:
Easton Bat Tape, Blue
MIZUNO BASEBALL ACCESSORIES - SPEED HELIX BAT GRIP TAPE (2-PACK) - 370314
Marucci 0.5mm Bat Grip, aluminum
Vulcan 1.00mm Bat Grip / 1776
- 1. 00mm - Advanced feel/control on alloy and composite bats; suitable for wood bats
- Advanced polymer grips that deliver maximum feel in dry or wet conditions
- Features state-of-the-art "maze" imprint for the ultimate gripping solution
CHAMPRO Extreme Tack Bat Grip Tape, Camo Red,White,Blue, One Size (A031CRWB)
- EXTREME TACK: Wrap bat handles with this extremely tacky tape to improve grip and control. Give yourself an edge and boost your confidence at the plate.
- PERFECT FIT: Tapered edges allow athletes in baseball and softball to give their bat a professional-style contour fit.
Franklin Sports - Cloth Tape - Baseball + Softball - Black Tape - 10 Yards
- NO-SLIP GRIP: Engineered to maintain grip during practice or competition with no adjustments
- SUPERIOR ADHESION: Ultra-strong adhesive is built to stay tight and in place
- ULTRA DURABLE: Constructed with a premium tensile strength and extended life-span
Rawlings 1.00mm Bat Grip (Purple Jolt)
- BAT ACCESSORY | Bat Grip provides extra control for your bat while adding personality and design elements
- 1.00 MM THICKNESS | Provides the perfect balance of control and feel
- HEPTAGONAL PATTERN | Embossed for exceptional grip
Lizard Skins 1.1mm Camo Bat Grip, Caribbean Camo
- DSPBW LIZARD SKINS BAT GRIP 1.1 MM COLOR Caribbean Camo
- Lizard Skin Bat Grip
- Caribbean Camo (1.1 MM)
Steps to Hold a Softball Bat
It is critical to select the most secure and comfortable bat grip for your fingertips. Right-handed batters must keep in mind that their left hand supports the bat, while their right hand aids control.
- Take up the ‘power position’ by placing your hands in front of your chest, between your shoulders.
- Swing by rotating your hips and bringing your back knee in. While rotating, keep your hips parallel to the ground, your chin up and your eyes closed
- Keep your hands at an angle to get more direct swings.
- When swinging a bat, allow your front shoulder to follow the ball. Note that a broad swing arm affects both strength and efficiency.
- Make contact with a pitch coming down the middle right in front of your front hip. During a pitch, it is critical to receive as much force as possible. The hips open more quickly when the pitch is thrown inside.
- Because the contact point is between the centre of the body and the back hip when taking an outside pitch, you must wait for the ball. In the process, the hands outpace the bat.
- You must be patient and have an understanding of the pitch to be able to hit the ball at various locations.
- Depending on how fast the ball is moving, you are to keep the swing going after the bat has struck the ball.
- Ensure your back shoulder, hip, and knee are aligned by holding your weight firmly on the front leg.
The Finger Grip
The most important thing to remember when grasping a bat is to constantly ensure your middle knuckles are aligned, whether you use a traditional grip or a finger grip. In the finger grip, you’re still folding your fingers around the bat, but you’re gripping it more in the joints of your fingers than in your palm. Straight up and down alignment of the middle knuckles. When it comes to batting grips, the finger grip is very similar to a golf grip as such a golf player might find this easier. The following steps may guide you in the finger grip
- Bring the bat over and put it in front of you (middle of your palm).
- Begin by placing the bat over your left hand’s palm and then wrapping your fingers at an angle around the bat to form a ‘v’ shape at the top with the thumb in the pointing finger.
- Stick the heel of your right hand in the ‘v’, then wrap your fingers around.
- Adjust the height of the bat by aligning the middle knuckles and straightening them.
Lining up your Knuckles when Batting
It is best to use the thumb grip to keep your knuckles perfectly aligned. This is not a well-known technique because it is difficult to detect. Players frequently visualize themselves lining up their knuckles as if they were about to knock on someone’s door. It’s utilized to keep your posture straight and prevent you from rolling over too soon after the swing through is completed. When someone is taught to line up their knuckles, they do so, gain a good grip on their bat, and then realize the knuckles aren’t lined up anymore.
The key to properly aligning your knuckles is to keep your fingers from slipping off by placing your thumb on the handle rather than your palm. It is held with the left thumb underneath the right thumb. Some people perform the same thumb trick, but they move their thumb to one side instead. If you pay attention, you will notice that most college softball players do not wrap the bat around their hands when they play. They all use alternate thumb positions to keep their finger grip and knuckles aligned. You could use their methods by keeping your body in that position at all times to achieve a proper wrist snap. However, if your knuckles are not properly aligned, and you attempt to drive forward, your wrist will remain straight rather than reversing direction, resulting in a significant loss of force.
These help with choking up on the bat especially for youth:
Easton Bat Choke
Grippi Ring Bat Grip Choke up Rings 2-Pack for Youth Baseball, Softball and Tee Ball (Black)
- Compatibility: The Grippi Ring is designed to improve the grip on your baseball, softball, or tee ball bat. This 2-pack is perfect for youth players looking to improve their swing and increase bat control
EASTON CHOKE UP Bat Knob, Black, Ultra Soft to Absorb Bat Sting Fits Over All Baseball and Softball Bat Knobs...
- UNIVERSAL DESIGN | Easily fits over the knob of any baseball/softball bat
- REDUCE VIBRATION | Ultra-soft design absorbs impact to reduce vibration
- INCREASED CONTROL | As you shorten the grip using the bat choke, the bat becomes easier to control
Grip-N-Rip Bat Grip Taper, Black/Pink (GNR-BK/PK)
- The Grip-N-Rip Ii Features A 10% Larger Design As Compared To The Original Grip-N-Rip
- A Larger Through Hole Makes The Grip-N-Rip Ii Easier To Get On And Off Your Bat
- Made With A New Material That Is Very Durable And Long Lasting
Swinging the Softball Bat for Power
When you grip the bat with your fingers rather than your palms, you have a greater range of motion and, as a result, more control over the bat. Consider how much more control you have over a crayon when you hold it between your fingers rather than in your palm like a child. Similarly, the bat control is more efficient when it is held with the fingers.
You’re practically swallowing the whole thing with that bat. Traditional grips allow you to extend the bat by a few inches, generating the same amount of force as if your hands were at the end of the bat.
back to menu ↑Take Home
Finally, softball bats are about more than just the grip; they’re about optimizing your strengths and enhancing your weaknesses. A bat with more end-load is the way to go for power hitters. If you’re just getting started, you might prefer something more toned and controllable that will help you develop your position. The Easton Wonder bat is an ideal choice for both beginners and young players. Because of its lightweight and good balance, this bat is simple to use. It’s glove is best suited for players who want to be extremely comfortable as it will not fall off your hand no matter how much you swing, and it also prevents stinging of the fingers when they hit the ball
If you’re searching for a bat that offers the maximum swing weight advantage, especially if you’re looking between the ages of 6 and 10, the Dudley Lightning Lift bat is your best bet. The Rawlings Quatro Pro Fast pitch softball bat is a good option for those with smaller hands or young intermediates. This bat is designed to be more responsive and long-lasting. Using this model, you can also strike the ball more accurately and reduce barrel drag.
There are numerous softball bats on the market to choose from, so do well to keep an eye out for future articles in which we investigate each one in greater depth. Read more about each bat performance on our ultimate guids of the Best Slowpitch Softball Bats as well as the best Fastpitch and Youth Bats on the market.
All the products for bat grip mentioned in this article, sorted by price:
Are you a little confused about the grip? Watch this complete explainer video by Softball Spot
