A graduate of medicine from Brown University, William D. Jones MD, of Oklahoma City, OK has been practicing medicine for over two decades. A lover of sports including baseball and softball, William D. Jones MD has donated to Angel Foundation at SWAT Academy, a training facility for youth athletes which instructs baseball players on how to improve their swing.
Bat speed is essential for hitting good balls on the pitch. A good bat-head swing ensures proper contact with the ball while guaranteeing good distance on the hit.
There are a variety of exercises which specifically target parts of the body vital for gaining good bat speed such as the abdomen, legs, and forearms.
The abdomen twists in a rhythmic motion during every swing, providing speed and momentum for a good hit. To target the abdomen, players perform weighted crunches which are similar to regular crunches, only that a weight is held out at arms-length. Hanging leg raises are good for building lower abdominal strength.
Strong legs enable the trunk and arms to enhance bat speed. Legs produce the force required for a powerful bat swing. Squats are a great way of building leg strength.
Forearms transfer the strength of a good swing onto the bat. A good grip completes a swing. To improve grip, players can perform grip-strengthening exercises such as squeezing tennis balls, softballs, and racquetballs.
