Fortunately, after years of innovation, there is no shortage of options to keep your grip on the bat these days. From batting gloves to bat grips and bat wax, there are safe, mess-free ways to stay safe and strong at the plate.
The nets are there for a reason. Baseball is a sport of projectiles, and once the batter steps up to the plate, it’s time for liftoff. To avoid putting those on and around the field in danger, and to get a solid swing on the ball, players have been using different methods to keep a grip on the bat for decades.
Pine tar and other sticky substances are still used today, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a player outside of Matt Carpenter that doesn’t use batting gloves, which made their first appearance in the 1930s.
Batting Gloves
Batting gloves are far and away the most popular way to maintain a safe grip on the bat. While Lefty O’Doul, the first man to wear any kind of gloves at bat, did so to absorb some of the shock to protect his injured wrist, modern options will keep the bat safely in your hands.
Many gloves, such as theMizuno MVP Batting Gloves, feature a non-slip palm to keep the bat from slipping, which helps keep the power of your swing behind the bat. They also come with a neoprene construction around the wrist for comfort and a safe, secure fit.
Nobody wants sweaty hands. Luckily, modern technology also means you don’t have to play with clammy hands while wearing batting gloves. TheMizuno Covert Youth batting gloves comes with their patented Mizuno AirMesh which keeps hands fresh and ready to finish the game strong after an at-bat.
Bat Wax
A modern take on the classic pine tar, bat wax is an easy and sticky way to keep your hands on the bat. While pine tar struggles in extreme weather conditions,bat wax is constant in at any temperature.
Many players choose to use substances like bat wax for a particular grip on the bat. Having the assurance that your hands won’t leave the bat allows for a more relaxed grip, which leads to more “pop” on the ball. Bat wax can help add to your grip and your game.
Bat Grips
A more recent trend in baseball, bat grips are emerging at all levels of play.Bat grips come like a roll of tape which can then be applied to your bat. Like tape, they add a level of grip and tackiness, but are more durable and provide more cushion than typical athletic tape.
A pitch in on the hands can leave a dull but debilitating throb throughout a batter’s hand, particularly when transitioning to wood bats. Bat grips can help reduce that shock and protect your hands. Safe hands are strong hands, and strong hands get through the zone and on the ball better.
Whatever your preference may be, there are plenty of options to keep your grip on the bat and knock the ball over the fence.
