How To Grip A Baseball Bat

By: Louis Varca

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Learning how to grip a baseball bat is an essential step in improving your role as a batter. Regardless of whether or not you are new to baseball or have been playing for some time, it is never too late to learn how to grip a baseball bat properly. Learning how to grip a baseball bat is a simple matter of hand positioning. The first thing to keep in mind while learning is to forget any preformed opinions you may have about how to grip a baseball bat. Follow this guide carefully, and naturally grip the baseball bat.

  1. Relax. Relax your body and your grip on the baseball bat. Attempting to grip a baseball bat while you are tense will only cause a poor grip and a worse swing. Loosen up your body, your shoulders and your grip on the baseball bat.
  2. Grip the bat. Grip the bat loosely with your fingers. Do not use the palms of your hands to grip the baseball bat. Always use your fingers which are much stronger for gripping a baseball bat.
  3. Lineup your knuckles. Position your knuckles on the top side of the bat. Position your second set of knuckles on the underside of the bat. Lineup your knuckles on the baseball bat. Hold your knuckles in this position on the baseball bat, even if it seems uncomfortable at first.
  4. Keep it loose. Wiggle your fingers and continue to keep them loose. Do not allow yourself to tense your fingers around the baseball bat. Remember that the tighter a muscle is, the slower it reacts.

Tip:

The key to properly gripping the baseball bat is to fight the natural urge to tense your fingers on the bat. Keep the baseball bat loose in your hands at all times.

Posted on: Aug. 21, 2010