Progressive
Wood Bat Training Program
X Bats has been making professional grade wood
bats for Adult League players to Major Leaguers to Youth League players for
over 15 years. One of the challenges that top players face is the transition
from metal bats to wood bats. The chief problem is that no matter how light a
wood bat is, it can't feel lighter than a bat with a hollow barrel. The balance
point in a solid wood bat is dramatically different than metal and composite
bats.
Pick any wood bat up with one hand by the
handle and you can immediately feel the weight in the barrel. Then hold the
same bat by the barrel end and all of a sudden it feels much lighter. Why? You
didn't change the weight, you changed the balance. That is what our 3 bat
training system does for young players- it allows them to gradually transition
from an over balanced metal bat to an under balanced wood bat.
How do we make a wood baseball bat more
balanced? There are three ways:
- decrease the barrel size making it feel less
end heavy
- increase the handle size so the weight is
more evenly distributed throughout the entire length of the bat or
- make the bat with a large knob so the weight
at the handle end counter-balances the weight in the barrel end
We've made a 3 bat training system with a 2”
thick knob, a 1” thick knob and a 1/2” thick knob. Start training, swinging and
playing with the largest knob model. The balance shifts from the barrel end of
the bat towards the center with the large knob acting as a counter-balance.
When the player is comfortable with the swing feel on the bat with the 2” knob,
he can move up to the bat with the 1” knob. When that feels comfortable, he can
move to the 1/2” knob. At the point where that feels light and manageable, it's
time to move to a regular bat, but start with one that has the most balance
like the Youth 12, 72, or 73BB or the adult 73, 27 or 11.
The progression for each player will be
different depending on size , strength and the amount of time spent training
and playing. Once he is comfortable with a regular wood bat he will see
dramatic increases in his performance and bat control. He will truly be on his
way to becoming an accomplished hitter with the swing to handle any pitch.
We make the 3 bat training set for youth
players from ages 7-12 in 27", 28", 29", 30" and 31" lengths
and for 13-15 year old players in 32 and 33 inch lengths.
The youth bat training system is $250. for 3
bats (choose 27”, 28”, 29”, 30” or 31” lengths with 2 1/4” barrels) and the
13-15 year old training bat system is $320. for 3 bats (32” or 33” with 2 1/2”
barrels).
Any player who aspires to continue his career
past youth baseball will find this 3 bat training system shows immediate and
lasting results, enabling the player to develop a short consistent swing with a
direct path to the ball. Experience wood bat players find that a top quality
major league grade wood bat outperforms the BESR metal bats most players use in
high school and college. Instead of the one-size-fits-all metal bats, each
player can choose a custom bat model to fit his game without sacrificing
performance.