Differences Between Fungo and Regular Bats

Fungo bats and regular bats are both key instruments in the sport of baseball. While they may appear to have some similarities, they are also quite different in their size, shape and application. The fungo bat is primarily a practice tool used by coaches. A regular baseball bat is used by players during games as well as practice. Fungos are used to provide fielding practice for players to work on defensive skills during practice. Regular baseball bats are used only for offense in both practice and game situations.

  1. Size

    • When lined up side by side, it's easy to see the difference between fungos and traditional baseball bats. One of the most striking differences is the size of each. Typically fungo bats have a much smaller diameter and appear much thinner than regular bats. A typical baseball bat will vary widely in size. Players in youth baseball leagues such as Little League and Babe Ruth may range anywhere from 20 to 36 inches with weights between 16 and 30 oz. Professional baseball players in the major and minor leagues use bats up to 36 inches in length with weights and barrel diameter determined by a standard drop-weight formula.

    Production Guidelines

    • Fungo bats on the other hand are fairly standard in their dimensions, which range from 35 to 37 inches in length and weigh between 17 and 22 oz. There is no governing body or rule set that determines the dimensions of fungo bats -- unlike for regular baseball bats. Almost any organized league from youth an amateur league to Major League Baseball has some type of guidelines for the bat sizes for reasons of safety and competition. Fungo bats are designed first and foremost to be lightweight and accurate so that coaches can hit balls at targets throughout a practice without tiring.

    Material

    • Both types of bats are constructed of either hardwood such as maple or ash or aluminum alloys. However, fungo bats are designed to be as light as possible with enhanced hitting barrels while the dimensions and composition of regular bats must conform to the regulations of governing bodies. For example, professional baseball players in the U.S. are only permitted to use wooden bats while a fungo bat may be constructed of any material.

    Uses

    • Fungo bats and regular baseball bats are both designed to hit baseballs but in very different environments and with very different applications. Fungo bats are strictly used in practice. Coaches use them to hit grounders and fly-balls repeatedly to position players in order to improve their defensive prowess in the field. A regular bat is used both during practice and in game situations but typically only at the plate and with the intent of driving in runs.