Month: October 2018

How to Tell If Your Wood Bat is Quality

Like most things in life – not all wood baseball bats are created equal. It can be difficult to know what makes the best wood bat, so D-BAT is here with tips on how to tell if your wood baseball bat is quality or not:

What Type of Wood is it Made of?

Decide what wood type you want for your bat before you go buy one. You want to look for bats that are made of northern white ash or hard rock maple, as these species are very strong and have been tested to withstand the rigors of the game of baseball. Ash bats are going to give a little bit more and are more flexible than maple bats. Maple bats are going to be harder than ash because the wood is a lot more dense. Maple bats actually get harder as you hit them.

Check the Grain

When looking at ash bats particularly, pay attention to the wood grain. You want to see wood grain that is nice and straight all the way up the bat. This indicates a better, stronger bat. 

Is the Bat Straight?

Okay – this may seem like a silly question, but in all seriousness… is the bat straight? You want a bat that is perfectly straight, and you’d be surprised how many are not. Test it by laying it on the ground with a slight incline and watch the bat roll. If it’s wobbly, then it’s got a bow in it. If it’s smooth, you’ve found a good bat.

Ready to purchase a new wood bat? D-BAT Sports offers a great selection of the best wood baseball bats on the market. Stop into a location near you and talk with one of our baseball pro shop experts about which bat would be best for your player.

The Value of Sleep: Why Rest is Important in Baseball

How many hours of sleep are you getting each night?

Chances are – it’s not enough.

Studies show that the average person between puberty and age 26 should be getting about 9.5 hours of sleep a night for maximum cognitive and physical ability. Many within this age group will claim 7 hours, but studies show the average is normally around 6 hours of sleep total. You may not immediately realize the effects of sleep deprivation on baseball, but lack of sleep can affect your game more than you realize.

Afternoon Drowsiness

Most people suffer from a drop in energy mid-afternoon, but for those suffering for lack of sleep, the effects can be greater. For baseball players, this means it may interfere with afternoon baseball practices or games and inhibit your ability to play your best.

Slower Reaction Time

Studies of college athletes have shown that a lack of sleep does in fact affect their reaction time. And in a game of baseball – when seconds count – the ability to think sharply is even more critical. Whether you are throwing a pitch, up at bat, or making a play – reaction times are critical. If you are sleep deprived, you may not even realize how much better you could be with a little better sleep routine.

Lack of Interpersonal Skills

When a baseball player isn’t getting enough sleep, studies show that his teamwork abilities and sense of humor may decline as well. This is not to say that he can’t work well with his team, but again, he may not even realize how much better he could be.

Stress

Our bodies need sleep to fight off stress and reset for the day to come. Whether that stress is induced by physical activity such as a game or practice – or just mental stress – our bodies must have time to recuperate or lasting effects occur.

Sleep is a valuable component for any baseball player, so getting at least 8 hours of quality sleep is key during the baseball season. Talk with your coach or an expert at D-BAT Sports about how to build a well-rounded baseball training plan that incorporates proper sleep, nutrition, weight training, and more. Find a location HERE!