Training Bats

I have been researching different training products and was reviewing the MP28 youth training bat from www.theswingmechanic.com 

Not being a teaching professional I was curious as to exactly what the purpose was.  I read the site and got the general idea, but unlike the insider bat and other tools, didn't really see the function of the thick grip.  So I turned to a professional that I knew would give me the straight answer.

Chris Corso of Sandlot Stiks.  Here is my question and Chris' excellent response...

"Chris, I wanted to ask your opinion of that MP30 or MP28 bat / hitting training aid. http://www.theswingmechanic.com/  Seems it's just a heavy thick handled shorter wood bat.  What would they be trying to teach with that?"

Admittedly, this was kind of a direct question and I should probably work on my question forming...  And here is Chris' answer.

Hi Pat,

Good to hear from you.  I checked out the training bat you forwarded to me.  This is a very common thing among baseball players in college and pro levels.  Basically the short design forces you to make contact further back instead of reaching for pitches and the inertia of the heavier bat forces more complete follow through.  It trains the hitter to let the ball get deep and make contact at the proper point of the swing and to finish the swing after contact.   I don't think the Thick handle adds much of anything to the design.  Every player has a different hand size and grip which makes them who they are as a hitter.  The concept is nothing new...Mattingly bats has the same thing and louisville slugger makes the P89 28" trainer for the same purpose. 

At least what they are making is a specific product which is truthful in what it accomplishes.  The key thing to remember with any training product is this.. 

Without proper instruction of how to use it and proper mechanics and training most products are useless.  The best training aid is a solid wood bat constructed of good timber and made to a size which the hitter can handle with a weight drop of minus 3 or lower.  All the other products should be evaluated and those with practical purposes should be used to compliment the wood bat. 

Here is a list of what I consider useful training bats... 

Small diameter barrel - full length and weight wood bat such as our Pea Shooter - to help narrow the center of the hitting surface creating better hand eye coordination.

One hand bats of various lengths for different age groups and size players - For training the individual arm swing path

Sweet spot bats to help isolate the perfect hitting area on the bat

Bunt bat - To help isolate the bunting surface and for proper hand positioning ( Can be done with a regular wood bat as well )

Heavy full size bats to help increase strength and bat speed 

Short two hand bat such as the one you found or the Mattingly or Louisville bats

Everything else is mechanical or mental and needs to be optimized through professional training in order for any of the products to have a purposeful use. 

Hope this answered your question and gives a little more insight to the reality of most training aids. 

If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I'll give you the best answer I can.

Regards,

Chris Corso

Sandlot Stiks

CEO