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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 103 anonymousDiscussion: Warm up bat swing
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| July 30, 2017 phantomf4j 42 posts | Warm up bat swing I am 74 and play in the San Antonio Senior Softball League. I find myself getting to the ballpark and my first 2-3 swings are less than full power. That means I squander a couple of at bats just trying to get my wrists, arms and body into the bat swinging mode. It is the same in my back yard at my hitting station. I will swing 3-4 times before I start to loosen up and get my full swing into the groove. If I swing the bat at home and then drive to the ballpark I will lose most of that benefit. So I need something I can take with me and use at the park. I know there are numerous products out there that will provide me with a bat swing warm up before the game starts. I need something that is portable, easily set-up and taken down and will give me the full impact of a normal softball. Maybe none of you need to loosen up with a bat. But if you do, what are any of you guys using to provide a realistic swing impact at the park before game time. Frankly, the wiffle ball or "small ball" products will not work since I need the resistance that a 12" softball will offer. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. |
| July 31, 2017 STL0 Men's 60 230 posts | One thing you may want to consider is investing in a few Total Control Balls and having someone pitch a few of those to you before your game. They are rubber balls that have sand in them and they provide resistance when hitting them. You don't need much room to take your swings as the ball doesn't travel very far. Our team uses them for quick BP before games. I'd recommend the number 82 size ball. Just google Total Control Balls and you'll get an idea of what these are. |
| July 31, 2017 SOFTBALLNUTZ 36 posts | So how much power do you figure you lose between your back yard and the ball field? |
| Aug. 1, 2017 Jethro Men's 60 60 posts | I carry a bownet with regular softballs and the total control balls and a Batting tee to all games. Our team uses it whenever we cannot get an open area to do bp in prior to any games or tournaments. WE LOVE IT! We also use it between games when we start to loosen up again for the next game after a break between games. SO easy to set up! bownet.net is the site. BTW: I personally warm up with an Easton thunderstick all the time, even hitting off the tee. It loosens you up, develops strength and sharpens the eye! |
| Aug. 1, 2017 bogie Men's 65 448 posts | I find the same thing with a host of injuries at 63. The first 10 swings are downright painful to be sure and not good swings. I drilled a hole in a softball and added 20 feet of 3/8 high tensile poly cord...I made a bigger hole, attached to a washer then used silicon to seal both ends.. When I grab a Gtee that folds and fits in my bag, I can take swings outside the dugout if its clear and take enough tee swings to get loose. The ball stops after 20 feet and can be used in places with no one in case it breaks which I have not experienced yet. We also put a hole in a ball and slide over a rope that has bunges on both ends..hook between angle fences and some swings can be taken. Seems like I never get loose with practice swings unless I am hitting something solid. Those balls on the end of fiberglass rods work well too. Total control balls I like alot too...but your right ...shoulders, hips all tighten up and it take some real swings to get the joints loose. |
| Aug. 2, 2017 DieselDan Men's 75 600 posts | Do this exercise holding a bat in one hand at a time. Keep your arm and bat level and do 10 reps. As you return to face forward, switch the bat into the other hand and turn to the opposite side. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyxF4eFiLKg Hold two bats in one hand, at the center point, with a knob of one bat touching the other bats barrel. Legs shoulder width apart. Keep your bar arm upright. Now bend to the side without the bats. Light bouncing as you feel your side stretching. Do ten at a time for each side. Hold the two bats with both hands and your arms extended above your head. Legs locked. Bend backwards with easy bounces. Do the same thing forward, but keep your legs locked. Very light bounces so you're stretching your hamstrings easily and not pulling them. For any athletic activity, do dynamic stretches at the beginning and static stretches after the activity. |
| Aug. 9, 2017 phantomf4j 42 posts | Great replies guys. I really appreciate it. For all you younger guys who are not beyond 70 yet you may not understand how the body seems to require more warm up and loosening before games. In addition, I find that during the winter my skills erode significantly and it is several weeks into the spring before I start to play with a full range of motion. Even in the summer if I am "off" for a couple of weeks it takes me several days to get back what I lost in just 2-weeks. But I am blessed to be able to play and will do it as long as I can contribute. I know it is often overlooked, but I have a friend, also in his 70's, who says yoga has provided him a new life as far as flexibility and less pain is concerned. I am going to give it a try. |
