Don’t Choke…Choke Up!
With the brand new emphasis on energy hitting at each stage in softball, it isn’t stunning that a few of the “little issues” have been missed. Offenses was extra centered on transferring runners across the bases with a number of hits, slightly than driving them in with one huge swing.
Once I was a younger fan, it was widespread to see hitters in skilled baseball lay down a bunt in any state of affairs. The “hit and run” was additionally way more widespread. One other efficient offensive technique that has been all however misplaced is choking up on the bat!
Choking up on the bat merely means transferring the arms up the bat from the deal with a couple of inches. Most of the old-time gamers did this out of necessity as a result of their bats have been very heavy. Babe Ruth used a 36 inch/54 ounce bat early in his profession, which is among the many heaviest in baseball historical past. Later in his profession, “The Bambino” used a lighter bat, but it surely was nonetheless 40 ounces.
Because of the primitive building of early bats, gamers in Babe Ruth’s period didn’t have a wide array to select from. That they had no alternative however to make use of bats that have been too lengthy and too heavy. The one approach for a lot of gamers, particularly the smaller ones, to manage these huge bats was to choke up.
At the moment, the typical bat measurement in highschool and faculty softball ranges from 32-34 inches and 22-24 ounces. Bat corporations spoil hitters by customizing bats based mostly on their top, weight, swing, and desired hitting technique.
Like skilled bowlers who’ve a number of balls for various pictures, some softball gamers have a number of bats for various recreation conditions. Hitters right this moment simply don’t see the necessity to choke up on the bat.
The controversial Barry Bonds was one of many few energy hitters in fashionable baseball who choked up on the bat. Throughout an interview, Bonds defined that he started choking up on the bat as a baby. He recalled the promotional bats he acquired at main league baseball video games throughout giveaway days. They have been the identical measurement as bats utilized by huge leaguers.
Bonds was compelled to choke up on these huge bats in an effort to full his swing whereas enjoying along with his childhood associates. Typically he wanted to choke up a lot it brought about the deal with of the bat to hit his aspect throughout the swing. It was then that Bonds found the advantages of choking up on the bat and he by no means modified.
It is a image of younger Barry Bonds choking up on the bat.
Listed here are the explanation why it’s sensible to choke up on the bat:
Higher Bat Management
Choking up on the bat makes the bat shorter. This permits hitters to manage it higher. Additionally it is simpler for hitters to search out the “candy spot” of the bat. This improved bat management is very efficient with two strikes or in strain conditions.
By choking up, hitters improve their probabilities of placing the ball in play as an alternative of hanging out. The only goal is to power the protection to make a play or discover a gap between fielders. This sensible hitting technique makes hitters extra constant and positively extra harmful.
Elevated Bat Pace and Energy
Swinging a shorter and lighter bat can truly improve bat velocity, which interprets immediately into extra energy. It’s a fable that choking up on the bat reduces energy. Bat velocity research affirm the barrel of the bat travels quicker when hitters choke up.
Here’s a chart confirming choking up on the bat will increase bat velocity on the barrel of the bat.
* Image courtesy of The Hardball Occasions
I’m typically requested by my hitters whether or not they need to swing a bigger or smaller bat. The straightforward reply is that if softball hitters can swing a bigger bat with out sacrificing bat velocity, then the change could be acceptable.
If hitters start utilizing a smaller bat, their bat velocity will naturally improve to permit them to hit with the identical energy as utilizing a bigger bat. Choking up on the bat to make it smaller and lighter has the identical optimistic impact.
I’ll write about choosing the proper bat in a future article for Additional Inning Softball.
Protection Towards Getting Jammed
Along with extra bat velocity and bat management, choking up on the bat is a option to persistently get the larger a part of the bat on the ball. Hitters who’re jammed on inside pitches whereas choking up will discover the bigger a part of the bat extra often. It is probably not the “candy spot” of the bat however making contact two or three inches up from the deal with may be the distinction between an infield pop-up and a line drive to the outfield.
Extra Psychological Focus in Stress Conditions
One other key advantage of choking up on the bat is the psychological benefit hitters will take pleasure in in strain conditions. Each time I choked up on the bat as a younger baseball participant, my focus and depth appeared to extend instantly. As quickly as I moved my arms up the bat I grew to become a harder out.
Pitchers are additionally affected when hitters choke up on the bat. They’re conscious the hitter has made the choice to put the ball in play at any price. This may power a pitcher to alter their technique. They might change the kind of pitch and even the situation after they discover hitters choking up. Benefit hitter!
Make Choking Up Nice Once more
After studying this text, I hope coaches and gamers will incorporate choking up as one other weapon of their hitting arsenal. They need to welcome any method or technique to realize extra bat management with out sacrificing energy, particularly in strain conditions. It’s time for choking up on the bat a couple of inches to make a comeback in softball.
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Plate Efficiency with Coach Paul:
October 19, 2024: Introducing “Plate Efficiency with Coach Paul”: A New Hitting Section with Paul Petricca
October 26, 2024: Plate Efficiency with Coach Paul: Softball And Baseball Swings (Ought to they be totally different?)
November 2, 2024: Plate Efficiency with Coach Paul: How Quick Is Your Swing?
November 9, 2024: Plate Efficiency with Coach Paul: Hitting Accountability
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