Getting to Know Your Wooden Baseball Bat

Nothing compares to stepping up to the plate while holding a wooden baseball bat. The feel of grain and pine tar, the unique “crack” when the barrel hits the baseball — the sound that defines the game for over a century.

Birdman Bats, B45 Baseball, Mark Lumber and Recken. These are some of my favorite brands when looking for a wooden baseball bat! Anyway, now that you’ve got your wood bat, here are a few things that you need to know.

Why Use a Wooden Bat?

Wooden baseball bats have smaller sweet spots and are a touch heavier than metal bats — which makes them perfect for players to develop and practice for the perfect swing. Although metal baseball bats are almost exclusively used in league play up until the collegiate level, practicing w/ metal bats can result in poor swing habits like hitting with the bat’s handle or end — this is because metal bats are a lot more forgiving than wood. Hitting the baseball this way with the wooden bat may result in a broken bat, which will encourage players to correct poor swing habits to avoid consequences.

Hitting with A Wooden Bat

You hit with a wooden bat exactly how you would hit with a metal bat — with one or two things to keep in mind. Because of its grain structure, a wood bat has a hard side and a weak side. This is why when using a wood bat, it is crucial to keep in mind to hit with the label facing up or down.

The manufacturer’s label is strategically placed on the weakest part of the barrel. Your wood bat is more prone to breaking if you consistently hit the bat’s weak side.

Here’s some tips on how to avoid hitting the the bat’s weak side:

• Get in your stance and slowly swing the bat
• Stop and hold your swing over the plate
• Maintain your grip and rotate the bat in your hand so the logo is facing straight up or down
• Return to your stance

This will help you consistently hit on the bat’s strong side. Making your wood bat last long and you’ll get better hits!

Grip

A solid grip helps a hitter swing through the hitting zone at high speed. However, some players may find bare wood handles uncomfortable to hold onto. Here are ways to make your grip more comfortable:

Tape

You can modify the grip to suit your personal preferences by using tape. There are tapes intended for bats like Lizard Skin, but you can also use regular athletic tape. Tapes won’t make the bat handle stickier; you’ll still likely apply pine tar.

Pine Tar

Pine tar is a highly sticky substance produced from pine trees and can be used to help batters with their grip. Pine tar is legal in most leagues, but there are restrictions on its use. In Major League Baseball, players are only allowed to apply pine tar on their bat’s lowest 18in or grip end. Be sure to check with your league before using.

Bat Grips

These are specifically designed for bats. Because these are often easy to put on, bat grips have grown in popularity over time. They can significantly improve your grip, particularly in wet conditions. You can easily find these in baseball shops. I usually get mine from my favorite baseball store in Australia.

Cleaning

Before anything else, keep in mind that wood absorbs water, which can cause flaws in your wood bat. Use rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth to wipe the handle clean from top to bottom. This will help remove unwanted dirt accumulated by excess pine tar and sweat and grime.

For a more polished look or if you’re planning to clean the entire bat, you can start at the top of the barrel.

Storage

Your bat’s wood fibers are impacted by moisture absorption. The air is often drier in colder weather and more humid in hotter weather. The bat will dry out and become brittle as a result of dry air sucking moisture out of it. A brittle bat won’t be as good and will be more likely to break.

This is why proper storage of your bat goes a long way. Don’t just throw your bat in the back of the car or leave it in the garage after using it. Leaning your bat against a wall in a closet or a corner of your room would also be a good idea.

Here are some tips on how and where you should store your bat:

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Avoid damp areas and keep your wood bat away from extreme temperatures. Carry a soft cloth with you to quickly dry the bat off if it does come in contact with wet surfaces.

Handle-Side Up

Make sure to keep your bat upright at all times to prevent it from being kicked or knocked over.

Hopefully, I’ve helped to make you a little bit more familiar with your wooden baseball bat. Wood is truly remarkable material, and knowing how to take care of your bat can help ensure it stays in its top shape for years to come.