Posted by: mm () on Mon Apr 19 22:47:39 2004

I'm new here, my name is Jesse and I'm 15. Currently, I own a 33" wood bat that I swing daily. I'm not sure how heavy it is, partly because I don't have a scale for ounces and partly because, like most wood bats, it just doesn't say (but I'm guessing about 31 oz). Like most hitters, I'm looking for a way to improve my bat speed. I couldn't really tell you if my swing is quick or slow, because no one has ever commented on it to me. The summer is coming up, which means I'll have a lot of free time on my hands. My thinking is to buy a tee and just hit ball after ball every day. After reading some of the articles on this website, it's clear the writers know what they're talking about, so I trust their opinion. Keep in mind, I don't have a lot of money to spend on any special bat speed tool or anything like that, but I would like to know what you recommend I do to improve my bat speed? Is the tee a good idea? Should I do more?
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> > > P.S. Is bat speed a natural thing? Can a hitter only improve his or her's to a certain point, or, with enough work, is any level of bat speed atainable?
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> > > Thanks a lot, any help will do!
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> > > Jesse
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> > When I was your age I was in the same position (33" wood bat)and I used to play 500 with my friends. This helped with my overall strength. I would suggest you use the heavier wood bat as an overload training tool, swing it on a regular basis all summer, then invest in a newer metal bat...same length but lighter (-3) and you should notice a vast improvement in batspeed. Also go find an old tire and hang it up by a rope from a tree branch...and using your wood bat...use it as a "punching bag". Continue to read the posts on this site, and work on developing an "athletic/rotational/repeating swing...one you can take to the ballpark and translate to base hits.
> > You don't need a lot of money to play baseball...so see if you can hook up with a team this summer and get some good rep's.
> > Just my thoughts.
> > Jeff M
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> A great idea Jeff, and I'll for sure try it, but wouldn't hitting a tire with my bat break it pretty easily?

Hitting from the tee is a great idea to work on swing mechanics. Bat speed will increase as you get stronger and swing with proper mechanics. Do some one hand drills off the tee with the wooden bat, this will help with swing and strength. you might have to rest the bat on your should but keep your hand high, probably will want to choke up also.

After warming up with drills and swings off the tee with the heavier wood bat use your normal bat, you will start to see a difference.

mm