How to Hold Wooden Baseball Bats

Holding a wooden baseball bat correctly is a necessary part of being a successful hitter. Before you even work on the mechanics of your swing, make sure that you're using the proper grip. Although where players like to hold a bat along its handle varies, the grip of the hands and fingers are fairly consistent among players. Holding a wooden bat properly will improve your swing and your baseball game skills overall.

Instructions

    • 1

      Hold the baseball bat along the handle with both hands. If you swing right-handed, then your right hand will be on top of your left. If you swing left-handed, then your left hand will be on top of your right.

    • 2

      Position you bottom hand against the bat's knob. Rest your top hand just above the bottom hand so that they are gently touching.

    • 3

      Roll the bat out from your palms and into the crease of your second knuckle. You can actually lose some bat speed and, therefore, distance by holding the bat in the palm. Keeping the bat gripped in the fingers will result in a better baseball swing.

    • 4

      Assume your batting stance. Although everyone has a slight variation on how they stand and swing, there are some general principles. Position the bat nearly perpendicular to the ground. Place the top part of the barrel behind -- but not touching-- your ear. Point the elbow of your top arm back and parallel to the ground.

    • 5

      Rotate your wooden bat so that the emblem is facing away from the pitcher and toward the backstop. Unlike aluminum bats, which do not have a weak spot on the barrel, a wooden bat generally has a weak spot where the brand name was burned into it. This can make the bat more susceptible to breaking if the ball makes contact at that place. By rotating the emblem away from the pitcher, you will avoid striking the baseball with the weak part of the bat.

    • 6

      Relax your grip and your body. Remove any tension in your hands or your body. Tension will only slow down your swing. Visualize holding your wooden baseball bat as if you are gripping a feather. It should feel light and effortless.