A bat grip is an essential part of any baseball or softball bat. The thicker the grip, the more confidence you will have when swinging the bat.
A good softball bat grip will also help your bat feel lighter when holding it. This is especially important for young players who might get fatigued.
Pine Tar
Pine tar is an oily and sticky substance often used to help improve a bat’s grip. Players rub the tar onto their bat handles to reduce slippage when swinging at balls and also to increase the amount of pop that a ball will have on contact with the bat. This tacky substance is legal for Major League Baseball batters, but they must follow MLB rules that limit the amount of pine tar they can have on their bat.
Pine tar can be purchased in a variety of forms: a jar of thick liquid pine tar, pine tar paste, a gel pine tar, or a presoaked pine tar rag. The jar of liquid pine tar is the most traditional and usually results in a very thick coating that will be hard to get off. The other forms are typically much easier to use and more portable for a quick and convenient application to a bat.
Before applying pine tar, players should clean their bat to remove any dirt or other debris. The tar should be applied with a soft cotton rag. Once the pine tar is applied, it should be left to dry for at least 24 hours. Some batters may also apply rosin powder to their bat after applying the pine tar to add more stickiness and tack.
One of the most famous incidents involving pine tar in MLB occurred on July 24, 1983, when George Brett of the Kansas City Royals hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning against the Yankees. Yankees manager Billy Martin asked the umpire at home plate to inspect the bat because he believed Brett used an excessive amount of pine tar. The umpire ruled that the pine tar extended more than 18 inches down the bat, and Brett was ejected from the game.
Rosin
In baseball and ten-pin bowling, players use rosin to reduce friction between the ball and their hand. Rosin is made from tree sap that is ground into a powder. It is also used by musicians to keep their hands dry and improve their grip on their instruments. Rosin is not toxic and has no harmful effects on the human body. It is also a natural alternative to silicone lube.
Many players choose to use rosin to help them grip the bat better when their hands are wet. This can help them avoid blisters and injuries like tendonitis while still having a secure hold on their bat. Players may use a rosin bag or apply it directly to their bat. While a rosin bag is usually filled with resin powder, it can be found in stick form as well. Players should be careful not to apply too much rosin because this can lead to a slippery handle or even a broken bat.
There are several types of bat grips, but the most popular is rubber-based wrap. It is available in different thicknesses and colors, and can be applied to wood, aluminum, and composite bats. Most of these bat grips have one adhesive side and a softer padded side that helps prevent the bat from slipping. Some bat grips are even designed to reduce the “sting” caused by a ball striking outside of the sweet spot.
Another option is to buy a thicker grip like VukGripz, which has a unique fiber structure that works best on clean surfaces. It is important to remove old or failing grips before installing a new one. Otherwise, the wrap will not layer evenly. It is also a good idea to practice with the grip installed so that you can get a feel for how it should be positioned on the bat.
Athletic Tape
Athletic tape is a good option to make your bat grip thicker, especially if you aren’t allowed to use pine tar in your league. It is very inexpensive and comes in a variety of colors and designs to suit your personal taste.
Another way to make a bat grip thicker is by using batting gloves or a ProHitter thumb guard. This can help reduce the vibrations when the ball hits the bat, making it more comfortable to swing for longer periods of time. It can also help with bat speed by allowing you to rotate your wrists more quickly, creating more bat speed and accuracy.
One of the most popular choices for bat grips is baseball-specific tape like Lizard Skin or Vulcan. These wraps are made with polymer, which is thick and helps players maintain a tight grip on the handle. Baseball-specific tapes are also very eye-catching with many different color and pattern options to choose from.
Once you’ve chosen your bat grip, be sure to grab some scissors to cut the tape to size and use as a base layer for your final wrap. You may also want to have a roll of electrical tape on hand as well, as it is great to include in your tape job’s final revolution to ensure that the tape stays firmly attached to the handle.
Before starting the installation process, remove any existing wraps from your bat (this mostly applies to aluminum bats that come with their own grip). Next, unravel your new bat tape and locate one of the pre-cut ends on the end closest to the barrel. After applying tension, begin wrapping the grip around the handle of the bat, ensuring that it covers the entire area.
Polymer Grip
The bat grip is the part of the bat that helps you get a good, solid hold on the handle. Having a thick bat grip can help with comfort, especially in hot weather when your hands tend to be sweaty. Bat grips also reduce the vibration that occurs when you hit the ball, making the bat feel better in your hands.
A great option for bat grips is to go with one that has a polymer material. This helps keep the bat dry and comfortable, even in rainy conditions. It can be a little more expensive than other types of bat tape, but it is worth the investment. You can even find some grips that can be personalized with your own name and number, which can make your bat look unique.
Regardless of what thickness of bat grip you want, it’s important to find one that feels comfortable in your hands. You don’t want a slippery grip that takes away your confidence in the batter’s box. Finding a grip that is designed to address moisture can also be helpful, as this will help prevent slippage when your hands are sweaty or wet.
The Ballpark Elite bat grip is a popular choice because it’s thick enough to add cushion and reduce vibration. It’s also lightweight and comes in a variety of color options. Another option is the VukGripz, which is a newer product that has been endorsed by baseball professionals and offers a gripping solution that maximizes your bat speed.
Tennis Tape
The type of overgrip used on a bat can play a huge role in the comfort level it feels for the player. The overgrip is essentially the tape that is wrapped around the bottom half of the bat handle and can vary in thickness. A thicker grip can make the bat feel lighter and more comfortable in the hand. On the other hand, a thinner grip can make it easier for the bat to come through the strike zone quickly. A lot of the decision about overgrip thickness comes down to a player’s personal preference and hand size.
Many players will use hockey or athletic tape to make their bat grip thicker, which is available at most sporting goods stores and online. This type of tape is a great choice for those looking to keep the cost down or who prefer not to rely on pine tar or rosin. While this type of tape isn’t as sticky as a more specific bat grip, it should still be able to provide adequate stickiness for a player.
Another option for those looking to make their bat grip thicker is electrical tape, which can be found at any hardware store or online. This type of tape is a good choice because it is cheap, sticky enough to be effective and most players already have some laying around the house. This is also an excellent option if you are concerned about pine tar or rosin being banned from your league’s rules.
The best way to wrap a bat with electrical tape is to start at the top of the handle and work your way down, covering a small section at a time. Continue doing this until you are satisfied with the thickness of your new bat grip. It is important to overlap each section by 1.25 millimeters and keep a consistent tension throughout the process.
