Ideal Bat Path

Get the most out of your baseball swing. Doug Bernier offers pro tips on the proper bat path.

The ideal swing path vs a poor swing path

What is a bat path?

The “bat path” or” swing path” is the route in which your bat takes to hit the baseball.

What is a proper bat path?

A proper swing path gets into the hitting zone quickly and stays in that zone as long as possible. The longer the bat is cutting through the hitting zone the better chance you have to hit the ball more consistently.

How do we get our bat to stay in the hitting zone as long as possible?

This is where our weight shift in our swing becomes useful. Weight shift and rotation are two components to every swing, but if we use too much rotation and not have a proper weight shift our bat path may get cut off, and not have proper length through the zone.

Instead of hitting the baseball and cutting off your follow through, think of hitting the baseball as well as 3 invisible baseballs just beyond where you make contact. This thought will help you stay through the baseball.

What is the benefit to having a lengthy bat path in the hitting zone?

The more time that the barrel of your bat spends in the hitting zone the better chance you have to hit the ball more consistently.

The longer your bat path stays in the hitting zone, the less perfect your timing needs to be to hit the ball well. As long as your bat is in the zone, if your timing is a little late you may hit a line drive to the opposite field rather than hitting it right back up the middle.

More Free Batting Instruction:

1. 7 Absolutes of Every Hitter
2. The Baseball Swing, Stage 1 – Rhythm
3. Hitting Philosophy & Lineup
4. Sacrifice Bunting

About the Author: Doug Bernier

Doug Bernier, founder of Pro Baseball Insider.com, debuted in the Major Leagues in 2008 with the Colorado Rockies, and has played professional baseball for 11 years. After hitting .361 with the New York Yankees this 2012 spring training where he relieved Derek Jeter at shortstop, Doug spent the 2012 season with the Yankees’ triple A team. Click here to get personal, one-on-one instruction with Doug Bernier

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