Holding the Bat: GRIP & Hand Position
Bat should be held in the fingers (not palms). To do this, put end of
bat on ground and lean handle on legs. Reach down and hold bat with
fingers- bring bat out and up in front.
Hands should then be brought toward back shoulder (over back
foot). Hands should be a comfortable distance away from shoulder, at
the top of the strike zone (high hands are important and is why many
people are told to put the back elbow up- this moves hands up, but a
high back elbow can create a hitch in higher level ball). All the
angles of the arms should be near 90 degrees- elbows and between both
forearms. Bat should be off shoulder, and not too upright (max 45
degree angle).
To test grip, players can be asked to put bat on shoulder, look down
handle of bat and point with their pointer or pinky fingers- if the
fingers are parallel and pointing up, grip is likely good; if fingers
cross, the bat is being held in the palms (like a club). This grip may
feel odd if player is not use to it. To experience the benefits, have
player hold grip like a club and swing it down toward the ground (like
an axe)- they will feel the wrists lock up and restrict range of
motion… then have them grip bat in their fingers and try again- they
will feel the increased flexibility of the wrist and range of motion
with this grip. This additional wrist snap will improve power.