Science of Hitting -- Composite vs. Aluminum

Today's bats are made from aluminum or composite.

There are several different grades of aluminum. Lower price point bats are made with lower grade aluminum and are great for beginning players or recreational players.

If you're playing at a more competitive level, you're probably going to want a bat made with a high performance alloy. A high performance alloy will allow the bat to have a longer barrel, a bigger drop weight and lower MOI (or faster swing speed).

Bats made from Composite materials are usually the best performing. Composite materials are usually lighter than aluminum and can be engineered to maximize both barrel length (sweet spot), and the swing weight.

Easton - Bat Selector Guide

Today we're going to talk about choosing the right bat.

Choosing the right bat has become a little tricky over the last few years, as there are a lot of different restrictions, depending on the governing body and your level of play.

Lets get the easy part out of the way. If you're playing College baseball or High School baseball, you're going to have to have a BBCOR Certified bat.

If you're 12 or under, and play Little League Baseball or Cal Ripken Baseball, you're going to have to swing a bat with a 2 1/4" diameter barrel. And if you choose to swing a composite bat, it has to be on the Approved For Play List on either the Little League or Cal Ripken website.

Now comes the tricky part, Big Barrel Bats. Big Barrel bats will have anywhere from -5 to a -12 length to weight ratio. A lighter bat with a bigger length to weight ratio, like a -10, is likely to be the choice of a smaller, younger player. The lighter swinging bat will allow you to get through the zone faster. A heavier bat with a smaller length to weight ratio, like a -5, is likely to be the choice of a stronger, older player, whose looking to get a bit more mass through the zone.

Determining which bats are legal in your league, that's the most difficult part. Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a bat for your upcoming season. If you're playing Little League Juniors Division baseball or Babe Ruth baseball as a 13 or 14 year old, you have to swing an all aluminum bat. If you're playing Pony baseball, you can swing any bat any material; aluminum or composite, as long as it doesn't have a barrel diameter bigger than 2 5/8". If you're playing Travel baseball under the USSSA umbrella and are 14 years or younger, you can swing any bat you want, as long as it has this USSA 1.15 BPF stamp on it.

Simple Pitching Mechanics To Teach Any Beginner Little League Pitcher

Any parent can easily teach this simple delivery to a beginner pitcher but by making some improvements could enhance these mechanics even more. Here is Yankees Don Larsen pitching a perfect game in the 1956 World Series using his no wind-up delivery. Few understood then that this delivery made a lot of sense....especially starting with his lead leg already back behind the rubber. However, Don Larsen could have increased his velocity considerably by making a couple of minor adjustments...first by getting lower with some more bend in his back leg, by gaining more momentum by moving his entire body faster sideways into a longer stride using more back leg drive and by breaking his hands later so his arm got the energy to the ball as late as possible. Also, if he used a step-back technique instead of starting already with his leg back that too could have added to his overall momentum.

Glove Guru Aso: How to Break In a Baseball Glove

Wilson's Glove Guru, Shigeaki Aso, breaks in gloves for MLB stars such as C.J. Wilson, Brandon Philips, David Wright, and Hanley Ramirez. Watch as he takes us through the steps of breaking in a brand new baseball glove.

Pitching Mechanics - High School Pitching Mechanics Fault That Reduces Velocity And Control

If high school pitchers want to improve pitching velocity they must improve their pitching mechanics...not their arm strength.This high school pitcher displays a common pitching mechanic fault that reduces pitching velocity and control. The back leg leaving the ground before ball release reduces force production. Plus with only one foot on the ground, there is less stability so trying to control the ball is like throwing at a moving target.

Little League Pitching Mechanics - Faults That Reduce Velocity and Increase Arm Injuries

Little League pitchers have poor pitching mechanics or technique that reduce velocity and can lead to arm injuries. Here is a 9 year old youth/Little League pitcher who does not know how to use his body to produce pitching velocity so he gets his arm involved too soon. This reduces pitching velocity and will add stress to his arm.

Where's the Oomph - High Intention Needed for More Velocity

Just a little "Oomph" and you will see your velocity increase after only a couple of bullpens. What do I mean by "Oomph"? Grunting of course. In this episode of the "Pitching Factor" I will talk about the importance of grunting while pitching and the difference it can make.

A.C.E.S. Classes at The Baseball Barn

Monday & Wednesdays each week from 7pm - 8pm

Come and train the Rick Stassi way!! With our new A.C.E.S. classes, we will help you improve your AGILITY, CONDITIONING, AND EXPLOSIVE SPEED!! These hour long classes will help get you ready for the upcoming season and improve your quickness, fitness and functional strength. Come in and try out this safe, effective and fun workout. Classes start January 13th.

Cost is $15 per class. Monthly memberships offered with discounted pricing. Please contact our staff for membership details. Space is limited so Sign Up now. Contact Us

How to Prepare Your Arm For Game Day

How are you preparing your arm to pitch in games? In this episode of the "Pitching Factor" I will go over the correct way you should be preparing your arm a few days from game day, all the way up to your pre-game bullpen. This will ensure you're ultimately prepared to strike out the first batter you face.