Comments on: How to Grip a Baseball Bat

on 12/13/2009 I agree with relaxing at the plate with your head as still as possible,loose grip with knuckles aligned. Most important is to relax, with the bat, slight behind the back ear & about same level as your back ear. Don't bring the bat to far back & high! Reason, You'll have a longer swing & strike out more! Your legs should be wide enough, that if i pushed you from behind, You'll keep Your balance without falling!! When You go into your swing, try getting use to, not over striding with your front leg! The best way, is to just lift your foot up about 6" off the ground, then put it back down. When You plant your front right foot, then go in your swing. the back foot should twist,like you're squashing a bug! Try to inside on the ball! Meaning, " Aim to hit the inside of the ball,when it passes the plate! TRUST YOUR HANDS,WRISTS,FOREARMS, &.... EYES & MIND!! KEEPING HEAD STILL AS POSSIBLE...

on 4/13/2007 The grip depends on the size of the individual players' hands. Bring the bat back on your shoulder, and then get in your stance with the hands in the launch position that is most comfortable for you. The knuckles will almost be lined up. Coaches differ on which knuckles to line up anyway. So I lineup my door knocking knuckles or all four rows of knuckles. Old-timers, relax, physics will take over and the knuckles will line up naturally as the hands enter the hitting zone. The grip will tighten naturally throughout the swing. Too much emphasis is put on lining up the knuckles while in the stance and worrying about when to tighten the grip. This causes tension in the grip, which causes tension in the arms. This slows the hands into the hitting zone. A loose, relaxed grip with the bat in the fingers (never back in the palms) combined with a relaxed, balanced, comfortable stance gives the batter the best chance of hitting the ball frequently and with authority. The follow through of the swing will occur naturally because the swing is fluid and relaxed.

on 1/13/2006 Everyone is taught to grip the bat with the knocking knuckles aligned. Many people do not take this advise because the grip is uncomfortable at your stance. However, this grip is important because this grip is actually more natural at the point of contact. Beginning with this grip assures a constant grip throughout the swing. Hitting a slider is hard enough without having to change your grip during the swing. An added benefit is this grip promotes a full follow through.

on 11/22/2005 I like to have a loose grip while I am starting the swing, and tighten my grip in mid swing. As I tighten my grip, it whips the bat around for greater bat speed.

on 11/22/2005 The best way to hit, is the easiest swing possible. Don't think about cutting the ball in half like a sword or squashing the bug or any of that nonsense. This is how to hit: Load (bring your hands back into a ready position), keep your hands inside, about 6 inches away from your chest. Now there are different types of swings, one to pull the ball (inside or right down the middle), one to hit it up the middle (inside or right down the middle) and one to hit it to the opposite field (outside pitch). For an inside pitch, you want to get your hands extended as quick as possible, just before contact, you want to snap on the ball. To hit it up the middle, you want the same kind of swing, but wait a little while longer. For an outside pitch that you want to take the opposite way, you have to wait on the ball much more than you would for an inside pitch. You want to time it so that your bat is at an angle (pointing the opposite way) and slap a base hit into right field (for righties) or left field (for lefties).

on 11/22/2005 I think the key to the bat grip is that there is no one way cookie cutter method. Certainly it is a good idea to be sure and establish the fundamentals of a good swing...following through the ball. Work on the best techniques for hitting and allow for players to adjust to where they are comfortable. Remember, it is not one size fits all.

on 11/22/2005 A good way to swing through the ball is to imagine a sword in your hand and wanting to cut the ball in half.

on 11/22/2005 Always remember your hands and arms must be loose (tense-free) throughout the entire swing.

on 11/22/2005 Remember, when gripping the bat, you also want to line up your "knocking" knuckles, the middle knuckles.