Category: March 2019

The Great Debate: Pros and Cons of Wearing Baseball Batting Gloves

Ever since the first MLB player wore batting gloves to Spring Training in 1949, there has been a debate about whether or not baseball batting gloves are necessary. Some pros wear them; others don’t. But why? At D-BAT Sports, we find this subject to be a matter of personal preference, but here are the common pros and cons for wearing batting gloves:

Pros of Wearing Batting Gloves

·      Grip: This may seem obvious, but this is the biggest reason players use batting gloves. Even the slightest slip of the bat during a swing can affect the trajectory of the bat – and the ball – and in a high stakes game, you just can’t have it. This is especially true when it’s hot outside and hands can otherwise get sweaty.

·      Prevent the Sting of the Bat: As you advance in the sport, the balls come at you faster and the swings are harder. When you make contact, many bats (particularly aluminum) have the tendency to vibrate and sting.

·      Protection from Injury: Batting gloves add an extra layer of protection for your hands, preventing blisters and cuts.

Cons of Wearing Batting Gloves

·      Less Connection with the Bat: Some players actually like that “sting” and vibration that comes from the bat. Often, the sting can be worse when the ball is not well hit, incentivizing the batter to hit better to avoid the pain.  

·      Wood Bat & Pine Tar Preference: Many batters who use wood bats like to use pine tar to grip the bat instead.

We’d love for you to weigh in – what is your preference on batting gloves?

If you’re in the market for new batting gloves, wood baseball bats, baseball gloves, and other baseball gear, come visit one of our many D-BAT Pro Shops! We are well-stocked with the highest quality baseball gear on the market and our knowledgeable sales staff will help you find exactly what you are looking for. Find the location closest to you HERE!

Open Your Eyes: 4 Tips for Seeing Each Pitch More Clearly

Do you find that you’re in a rut at the plate?

Have you ever considered that you aren’t seeing the pitch as clearly as you should? There are lots of mechanics involved in swinging and hitting the ball, but one very important factor is your vision. D-BAT has a few tips on how to see each pitch more clearly, thus improving your chances of a great hit every at-bat:

1.   Fix Both Eyes on the Pitcher

You might be thinking, “I do that,” but as we’ve learned, many batters have a tendency to focus on the pitcher with their left eye (if they are right handed) and not with their right. An easy way to determine this is to close the left eye and then see where you are looking with your right eye. The results might surprise you! By focusing both eyes squarely on the pitcher, you vastly improve your eye-hand coordination.

2.   Maintain Fluid Movements

As you swing, if your body is jerky or your movements are rigid, then it’s going to affect the focus your eyes have on the ball. Maintaining a fluid swing that starts in your lower body and spirals up to your arms last, will help keep your head still and eyes focused on the ball.

3.   Posture is Key

As you step up to the plate, make sure you are in a balanced position with your knees slightly bent and a slight angle to your body. The proper batting posture keeps your head aligned, with makes it easier to keep your eyes focused on the ball. The last thing you want is for your head to bobble, making it difficult to focus. The less your head moves, the better your vision.

4.   Clue Into the Pitcher

Make it your goal to see the ball. Strain to see the pitcher’s finger positioning on the ball as it’s released – or even the ball’s seams. This may seem impossible given the speed, but clueing into the pitch, picking up on any tells about the pitch, and then straining with intensity to see the ball as clearly as possible, will all make you a better hitter and help you see the ball better as it makes its way to the plate.

Ready for some batting practice? Come see us at D-BAT! Our state-of-the-art batting cages are designed with the player in mind. Click HERE to find the nearest location to you!

Skills for Developing Your Child’s Natural Athletic Ability

Athleticism and being a well-rounded athlete are two things that make a baseball player stronger and pay dividends on the field. But how do you develop natural athletic ability? Here are some simple tips to incorporate into everyday life that will increase your child’s athletic ability and translate to results on the baseball field:

Coordination

Coordination goes beyond the ability to catch a ball. Coordination is pivotal in baseball – everything from running, to jumping, to swinging a bat, to of course, catching a baseball. Many adults take coordination for granted but you can help your child develop these skills by just getting them outside to play or introducing them to other sports.

Strength Training

When people think strength training, they think of lifting weights. Sure, lifting weights is a way to strength train, but not one that is necessarily best for the younger set. Strengthening muscles improves your abilities in all aspects of baseball because it helps you run faster, swing harder, and throw harder. Children as young as 7 can benefit from strength training through resistance bands, push-ups, and even very light weights.

Agility

When your muscles are limber, they move faster and more efficiently. Make stretching a part of your child’s daily routine – adding it when they wake up in the morning and before they go to bed, particularly with muscles they use often in baseball. Reinforce the importance of regular stretching before a game to prevent injury.

Endurance

Physical endurance is less important in baseball, but it is a factor. Mental endurance, on the other hand, is extremely important in baseball. Mental endurance can be built by playing games like Chess or Monopoly that require a child to focus for extended periods of time. Physical endurance is important, particularly for running bases and for playing pitcher or catcher. Incorporating sports like soccer or basketball – even if just played infrequently with friends – helps to build endurance in these areas.

Ready for more specialized baseball training, tailored to your child’s individual skill set? Visit one of our 70+ locations nationwide! Click HERE to find the location closest to you!