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Bat position refers to the angle, direction, and height of the bat in the stance. Note that
an incorrect bat position can be related to, if not altogether caused by, arm position and
grip. Please take a moment to review gripping the bat and arm position before
proceeding.
- A correct bat angle is one that is neither strictly horizontal nor vertical. It should be
around 45-degrees depending on where the batter feels most comfortable. Most
young hitters adopt a horizontal bat angle often referred to as a "flat bat". This
incorrect angle is often associated with an incorrect grip and/or a high front arm
position. The vertical bat angle called a "straight bat" is sometimes adopted by
young hitters and is closely associated with incorrect grip and a back elbow in the
up position.
- The proper direction of the bat in the stance should be one that is parallel with the
posterior side of the batters' box. See photo below. The most common incorrect
angle is called a "wrapped bat" in which the barrel of the bat literally wraps around
the hitter's head. Ensuring that the bat is in the correct parallel position will help to
minimize the batter pulling his/her head away from the ball during the swing.
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- The height of the bat is generally determined
by the height of the hitter's hands. As such,
with the batter adopting the correct "punching
position", the position of the hitter's hands
should always be level or close to level with
the back shoulder. A batter whose hands are
excessively high or low will likely contribute to
a looping swing or dropping barrel.
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Kraig S. Kupiec is known as an
authority on teaching hitting to young
players. He provides individual and
group instruction at Inside the Park
Hitting Facility in Fall River, Mass. He
currently serves as the Hitting Coach
at the University of Massachusetts
Boston. He played at Wake Forest
University and was selected by the
Houston Astros in the Major League
Baseball draft in 1991.
