Workouts for batting speed (baseball/softball)

[themamasan]

I am about to start playing in a league in September playing softball games with some guys at work. I haven't played baseball in about 15 years, and thus haven't swung a bat in that long as well. Although I have been working out for several years now, I know what to expect as far as being VERY sore from batting practice. But what are some good exercises that will increase batting power/speed? They all expect me to be our power hitter based on my size, so I really don't want to let them down.

 

[MojoMike36]

I coach little league baseball, taught at camps for 3 years, and played baseball all my life. I'm no expert but I think my advice possesses some validity with my background.


My favorite and most effective suggestion for batting speed - Sledgehammer and tire (or tree)

Get an average sized sledge hammer and swing around at a NW or NE angle (depending on which hand you are) down onto the tire or tree. This exercise will really beef up your delts and obliques, which is definitely key to batting. It doubles as great cardio, you'll be huffing and puffing if you're doing it right.

Another exercise, put a 45 pound barbell on your shoulders with your arms over it. Do essentially the same thing as twists for obliques, except practice snapping quickly. Only focus on the oblique that faces the mound. This exercise will definitely aid in helping your bring your shoulders around quicker.


Remember: a great quick swing starts at the legs carries through your body. The initial power that started in your legs gains in strength when it hits your trunk. Learning to make the motion quicker is all part of practicing and muscle memory.


Good luck

 

[dirtcake1]

You are huge and I'm sure powerful so, swinging a weighted bat 75-100 times daily should get it done. If it's slow pitch, remember to swing slightly down on the ball to get it up in the air, otherwise you'll hit nothing but hard grounders. Also, pitch selection is essential so, be patient.

 

[min0 lee]

Underwater?

 

[dirtcake1]

If he has a pool, underwater would be great but, not necessary.

 

[djturnz]

I was watching something on UFC fighters training at the "PIT". They were hitting big tractor tires with the sledge.

 

[Merkaba]

Chalk it. I say there's little you can do to add any real power to your swing by September. Batting practice with technique will result in way better payoffs. Power for a hitter is an accumulation of many things starting from the feet up.

Good luck

 

[tucker01]

Swing technique and hand-eye coordination is gonna be your friend.

Hitting off a tee.
Actual batting practice.

 

[2truSoldier]

I suggest using a tee with a toilet plunger inserted into the tee and a partially inflated basketball. Try swinging at this for about an hour you will be amazed at the power you will gain. This concept is based upon the boxer. A boxer gains power by hitting the heavy bag, hence the use of the basketball. This has helped almost all of the kids on my little league baseball team. Good luck.

 

[Merkaba]

I suggest using a tee with a toilet plunger inserted into the tee and a partially inflated basketball. Try swinging at this for about an hour you will be amazed at the power you will gain. This concept is based upon the boxer. A boxer gains power by hitting the heavy bag, hence the use of the basketball. This has helped almost all of the kids on my little league baseball team. Good luck.

I like this idea

 

[tucker01]

Swing technique and hand-eye coordination is gonna be your friend.

Hitting off a tee.
Actual batting practice.

To add to this soft toss, and reverse soft toss.

Also try hitting with a broom stick cut to bat length and a small ball like a ping pong ball.

 

[workinhard08]

over load under load....use a heavy bat(40oz or so) and hit 20 balls or so...then pick up a light bat(tee ball bat) and then hit 20 so. the heavy bat makes you keep your hands throught the ball at the same time strength while the smaller bat trains the quick twitch muscles...get some1 to soft toss you basketballs teaches your body to react and xloped through the ball

 

[Double D]

Depending on the league there could be different arch limits. Be sure if you are going into batting practice that your pitcher is trying to hit the top of that arch limit.

 

[GoLdeN M 07]

I would think having a strong core will help out alot considering having strong/hard midsection will amplify the strength and tension of any muscle in the body...

 

[Jman16]

I have played softball a long time, and I am a Power hitter. I spent years and years trying to find an excersise that would help my bat speed. The thing I found is workout as you would normally do there is not reason to do certain workouts for that. The best thing for bat speed is in the wrist. You have to get the hands to the ball out in front. I found a loser bat grip really helps. Good luck and hit them far.

 

[Double D]

I have played softball a long time, and I am a Power hitter. I spent years and years trying to find an excersise that would help my bat speed. The thing I found is workout as you would normally do there is not reason to do certain workouts for that. The best thing for bat speed is in the wrist. You have to get the hands to the ball out in front. I found a loser bat grip really helps. Good luck and hit them far.

Who the hell snaps their wrist on a 2 MPH floater?

 

[workinhard08]

still though ....ya strength is good but you have to train your self to be quick lifting weights isnt a fast movement.... all those muscles you have built are not trained to go fast...they are not trained to be quick...amd if you try flicking your wrist you better time it just rite or your hands will roll over and you will hit ground balls

 

[Jman16]

Hey you guys do what you want. I will still be hitting the Bombs the way I do it works pretty well. Just was offering what I do, do as you please. That is just the way I get bat speed. No reason to down peoples way of doing things if it works for them.

 

[workinhard08]

i didnt mean so sound like i was criticising you and i do under stand what you are saying....with that said if your gunna do that take some batting practice to get ur timeing down....