Discount Baseball Bats - Find Great Deals On Discount Baseball Bats

Bat speed is a must for any great hitter.  The speed you are able to swing your baseball bat greatly determines the power that you will hit with.  Luckily, bat speed is something that can be practiced and improved.

Videotape your swing and compare it to a video of a professional's swing.  Being in the correct stance and position is one factor that can affect your swing speed.

Straighten out a metal clothes hanger and practice swinging it every day.  The lightness of the coat hanger will teach you a whip like swing and will increase the speed of your hands.

During the offseason, practice with a heavier bat at the batting cages.  This will help you gain strength which will allow you to swing your regular (lighter) bat with much more force when you switch back during the season.  If you don't have a heavier bat, you can try hitting balls with a donut on your bat.

Is your old wooden bat looking worn and in need of a good cleaning?  Use the following steps to get it shined back up.

1. Scrub the bat with alcohol and a clean rag.  This should help remove any dirt, pine tar, tape residue or whatever else has built up on your bat.
2. Apply linseed oil to the bat and let the bat sit for about 5 minutes.  Once 5 minutes pass, wipe off any excess oil.
3. Take a glass bottle and rub it into the bat, almost like you are sanding.  Rub the bat until it appears smooth and glossy.
4. Wait until your bat has dried completely before you use it or reapply tape.

Once you step into the batter's box, your grip on the baseball bat has a lot to do with your success in getting a hit.  There are several key factors using the proper grip to become a successful hitter.

When you pick up the bat, it should be held by your fingers, not your palms.  Your knuckles on both hands should be aligned.  This feels unnatural for many at first, but is necessary to allow your wrists to roll properly once you make contact with the ball.  Also, be sure to keep your fingers loose and relaxed.  Your fingers will naturally tighten as you begin your swing.

Bat choice is one of the most important choices a hitter will make all season.  An ounce too heavy or too light, or an inch too long or too short can throw off a batter's timing.  Consider the following points wheen choosing a new bat for the season.

1. Check your league's rules.  Some leagues use only either wood or metal bats.  Your league may also have restrictions on the size of the barrel of the bat, or a certain ratio of bat weight to length that must be followed.  Your coach or commissioner should know these rules.
2. If possible, pick up and feel the bat at the store.  There is no scientific way to determine which bat size is correct for you, but try picking up a few different size and weight bats and see what is most comfortable for you.
3. Take close consideration to the weight of the bat.  Your bat should be light, because bat speed is what generates power.
4. Also consider the length.  Don't buy a longer bat expecting it to extend your reach because it may throw you off balance.
5. Hold the bat at the bottom part of the handle with just one hand.  Grasp the bat with your fingers and hold it in front of you.  Attempt to lift the bat 6-8 times while holding it this way, using only your wrist.  If you are unable to do this without bending your arm or elbow, consider a lighter bat.
6. Buy a bat for this season.  Especially when shopping for a bat for a child, the thought of buying a bat that 'can be used for a few seasons' may seem logical, but buying with only the current season in mind will give the best results.  Children grow and gain strength at much different rates than adults and their needs for a baseball bat may change frequently.