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Online now: 4 members: TABLE SETTER 11, TonyA, hotrods39, whiterice; 110 anonymousDiscussion: Proper senior bat weight as we age
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| April 12, 2020 IDon'tKnow 3rdBase Men's 65 28 posts | Proper senior bat weight as we age I saw on the internet older senior players actually prefer heavier bats. The reasoning is younger seniors have greater bat speed that benefits the lighter 26 or 25 oz. bats. Older senior's bat speed lessens over time so the bat speed isn't much different with a 26, 28 or even 30 oz. bat. Also, they have more control with a heavier bat. Therefore, 65+ seniors should hit a heavier bat for mass advantage as long as bat control and bat speed is good. Sounds counter intuitive to me but I plan to purchase a couple of bats and thinking of adding some bat weight. Currently I swing a 27 or 27.5 oz. endload. Please reply with your thoughts and suggestions. |
| April 12, 2020 Davy 22 posts | Maybe it depends a bit on the type of hitter. I was always a base hitter type, not home run. I hit leadoff for years because of speed and tried to use the whole field to find the holes depending on the situation. I always used Miken Ultra 2 starting with 28 oz, lots of years with 27 oz and now experimenting with 26 oz. I have found more success with the 27 oz. I seem to swing the 26 a bit faster but with less bat control.maybe because I am over swinging. I think the 27 is better for bat control even more important now as I go to right field a lot because the older right fielders on average aren't as skilled as the the left side. Hope this helps. Davy Redwood City Gold Rush 80's |
| April 13, 2020 IDon'tKnow 3rdBase Men's 65 28 posts | I hit to all fields, going with the pitch for maximum power. I rarely hit a home run and consider myself a gap hitter. Therefore, I want to get maximum velocity I can get with a line drive. So theoretically should I go with a lighter or heavier bat. I have a pocket radar to measure ball speed off the bat but I am sure it comes down to bat speed with bat weight. Then endload versus balanced. |
| April 14, 2020 Tri18 352 posts | Mr. 3rd base, Maybe I can help out here a bit. I do have a video on you tube titled what weight bat should I swing that covers it more completely but what ALOT of Senior hitters don’t consider: We cover this in depth in my Senior camp but if you can’t CONTROL CONSISTENTLY the weight of the bat you are swinging then additional weight is counterproductive. You see softball is a game of ratios , numbers, milliseconds, and milliinches. (I made up that word) Lol. The object of the game is to not make an out. If we filmed your SWING PLANE and measured bat speed many, many times I have seen senior players swinging too heavy of a bat. Most senior players are not getting stronger unless they are on a very consistent and far reaching weight training program and don’t control heavier bats on a level basis THROUGH THE HITTING ZONE AND AT IMPACT The same way they can with lighter bats. The more CONSISTENT the swing plane coupled with bat speed, the more hits you will achieve. Most of all, a player needs to be comfortable AND CONFIDENT in what they are swinging or they will never reach their athletic potential. We cover this at camp in the mental approach to becoming a great hitter. I hope this helps some. Best of luck to you with your choices and on the field. Alan Tanner Team 1 Sports Miken/ Worth Pro Staff |
| April 14, 2020 Chief144 Men's 70 160 posts | I have also found that as I get older, 75 now, the balanced bat gives me a bit more speed. I used to use the end load bat but switched last year & it seemed to help. Also, I have changed my grip to overlap my pinky on my bottom hand. I started doing this a few weeks ago at BP & it seems, to me, I am hitting better. Also, I used to hit to RF 99% of the time & now am pulling the ball to left. Not a power hitter. I have used a 26oz bat for years. Thanks. |
| April 14, 2020 IDon'tKnow 3rdBase Men's 65 28 posts | Thanks guys. I think my control is good with a 27 or 27.5 EL Miss hits come from inconsistent mechanics or pitch selection, which are most frustrating. I think I'll test other guys bat weights, but purchase bat weight I currently have the most comfort and confidence. |
| April 14, 2020 DCPete 409 posts | Curious what others say, but it seems like when you use a bat that is too "light", it can be harder to control, and if you're a pull hitter, can tend to result in a lot of foul balls because you're getting the bat thru the zone too quickly? |
| April 14, 2020 mck71 Men's 60 344 posts | DCP - I am not an expert by any means but my experience is this; as Alan explained, it's all about the swing, NOT the weight of the bat. Bogie is also doing a GREAT job of breaking it down in his last couple of video's (IMHO). I always preferred to hit backside and thought by using a heavier bat (28 oz) that would "slow down" my swing. I have learned through bp to just wait and then snap though as the ball gets just a little deeper (or I stand off the plate and hit a middle to outside pitch) and now use a 26oz (sometimes 27 on Friday if I am feeling "strong"! lol). As for your example, it would seem that if you are pull hitter and hitting a lot of foul balls it's not really the weight of bat but more than likely the hitter is swinging too early (pitch is too far in front of plate when making contact) or possibly "stepping in the bucket" (pulling out and opening up your hips too early). The best advice I was given is to video your swing using your phone and then watch to see what you might (or might not) be doing and make the adjustment. And I am hoping to get out and do just that very soon! :-) Stay safe everyone!!! |
| April 15, 2020 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | That is an interesting question. The way that I see it on heavy bats, there was before and after Ray DeMarini. I remember the men mostly swinging 36 and 38 ounce bats. When I started playing, I had a hard time finding a 30 ounce, and that was considered a light bat. Then along came Ray, and the concept of bat speed revolutionized our sport (along with bat composition materials). The aluminum relics started to disappear from the field and bat bags. I would be surprised if manufacturers make anything over a 30 ounce now. So I now swing a 25.5 and a 26, and they definitely out perform my old 30 Tennessee Thumper. I know that I am smaller than you, female, and less than 65, but I remember BRD (Before Ray DeMarini). Does age influence bat weight; does any of that come from swinging the old heavy bats? I think that we all have our preferences and am not planning on swinging a 27 ounce when I get older. |
| April 15, 2020 StevenL.Imlay Men's 60 174 posts | You really need to swing different bats weights and compare them, trying to hit with power, line drives even opposite field. Keep track of how you hit and make a decision. Alan mentioned lots of factors and the only true way to make a correct decision is hitting with different weights, balance-end load, and even one-piece and two-piece bats. Going to camps or even some of the clinics offering different bats to swing are great ways to accomplish this. Good Luck! |
