Baseball Bat Weights

Bat weights are a commonly used piece of equipment that aims to increase swing speed in baseball. These weights have a few different functions, coming in many different shapes and sizes. In most competitive games and practices, you will find baseball players using some form of bat weights. Read on to learn more about baseball bat weights and what to consider when buying them.

Benefits of Baseball Bat Weights

Bat weights are a type of weight that is placed on a baseball bat. The main purpose of these weights is to increase the swing speed of a baseball player. When the weight is added to the bat, it requires the player to use more force while swinging. Once the weight is then removed, the player will be swinging a lighter bat which will allow them to swing the bat at a higher speed. Due to this, bat weights are commonly used for warming up in the on-deck circle to gain bat speed during a plate appearance.

Some forms of bat weights can even be used while taking live batting practice. While this is not allowed during a game, in practice it helps build strength as well as bat speed. Batting weights have similar effects as running with a parachute or raising the height of a volleyball net: providing an added challenge that makes real game situations seem easier.

Things to Consider

When looking for baseball bat weights, you'll want to consider the following:

• What type of bat weight do you want?
• How heavy do you want your bat weight to be?
• How much do you want to spend on bat weights?

What Are You Looking for in Baseball Bat Weights?

A few qualities to look for in a baseball bat weight include:

• Maximum weight
• Easily applied and removed
• Affordability
• Durability
• Usable while hitting

Types

The different types of bat weights include doughnuts, sleeves, and bat jackets.

Doughnut Weights

Doughnut weights are the most traditional form of bat weights. These weights are small rings that can easily slide onto the bat to provide added weight. Doughnut weights are easy to carry around and will usually range from 8 oz to 28 oz.

Sleeve Weights

Sleeve weights are similar to donut weights, except that they are much longer. Sleeve weights are designed to expand over more of the barrel, which distributes the weight more efficiently. They are most commonly made in 24 oz weights.

Bat Jackets

Bat jackets, also called hitting jack-its, are another form of batting weights. This type of weight is usually in between a doughnut and sleeve in terms of size. Bat jackets are designed to be placed between the barrel of the bat and the grip. This allows them to be used for live batting practice to improve a batter’s strength. These will usually range from 9 oz to 16 oz.

Brands

The most popular brands that produce baseball bat weights include Demarini, Easton, and Rawlings.

Demarini

Demarini specializes in making equipment and gear for baseball and baseball variations such as fastpitch and slowpitch softball. They make a 16oz doughnut weight that is made out of cast iron with a vinyl covering. This doughnut is targeted towards youth baseball and softball players.

Easton

Easton is another major brand that makes equipment and gear for baseball and its variations. They make a 16 oz doughnut weight that comes in both black and blue. They also make bat jackets that can be used for live hitting. These come in 5 oz and 10 oz weights and are only sold in the color black.

Rawlings

Rawlings makes a wide variety of different baseball equipment and apparel, many of which are officially used in the MLB. They make a sleeve weight that weighs 24 oz, a doughnut that weighs 16 oz, and a 9 oz bat jacket.

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