8 best batting training aids

Batting training aids are essential tools used in baseball and softball to help players improve their batting skills. These aids are designed to enhance a player's swing, hand-eye coordination, and overall hitting abilities. Here are some common types of batting training aids:

  1. Batting Tees: A batting tee is a simple but effective tool that holds the baseball or softball stationary, allowing the player to focus on their swing mechanics. It helps in developing proper swing paths and improving contact with the ball.

  2. Pitching Machines: Pitching machines are automated devices that can simulate various types of pitches, including fastballs, curveballs, and sliders. They allow players to practice hitting against consistent and controlled pitches, which is crucial for improving their timing and accuracy.

  3. Soft Toss Machines: These machines are designed for soft toss practice, where a coach or teammate feeds balls to the batter from a short distance. It helps in working on hand-eye coordination, quick reflexes, and different pitch locations.

  4. Bat Weights and Donuts: Bat weights and donuts are attachments that players put on their bats during warm-up swings. They make the bat heavier, and when removed, the bat feels lighter, which can help improve swing speed and power.

  5. Hitting Nets and Screens: These are used to catch balls during batting practice, preventing them from scattering all over the field. They come in various sizes and can be used for both indoor and outdoor training.

  6. Swing Trainers: Swing trainers are devices that help players maintain the correct swing path and mechanics. They often have adjustable components to address specific aspects of a player's swing, such as wrist rotation or follow-through.

  7. Video Analysis Tools: Technology has become increasingly important in batting training. Video analysis tools, such as high-speed cameras and software, allow players and coaches to review and analyze their swings in detail, identifying areas for improvement.

  8. Hitting Aids and Targets: These aids are designed to help players work on their accuracy and targeting.They can include strike zone targets, which help batters focus on hitting specific pitch locations.

  9. Hand-Eye Coordination Tools: Some training aids are specifically designed to improve a player's hand-eye coordination. These can include reaction balls, which bounce unpredictably, forcing the player to react quickly.

  10. Training Bats: Specialized training bats with unique designs, such as flat barrels or extended handles, are used to improve various aspects of a player's swing, including bat control and balance.

  11. Grip Aids: Grip aids, like batting gloves and grip-enhancing products, help players maintain a secure grip on the bat, reducing the risk of slipping during swings.

Batting training aids are valuable resources for baseball and softball players of all skill levels. They provide opportunities for players to fine-tune their technique, develop muscle memory, and ultimately become more consistent and effective hitters on the field.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best batting training aids on the market
  

Schutt Sports Swing Trainer Softball & Baseball Batting Training Aid

Schutt Sports

Based on 4 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Schutt Sports swing trainer is designed to be easily portable and attach to any chain link fence. It enhances any training PROGRAM by encouraging proper swing mechanics and muscle memory.

  • Encourages development of proper swing mechanics, muscle memory, bat speed, and power
  • Great tool to enhance any training program, practice, or pre-game warm up
  • Easily attaches to any chain link fence
  • Compact size makes it easily portable to and from the field
  • Unique wear-indicator shows when you need to replace the ball/teather

Product features

Schutt Sports

Players don't play the game. Players attack the game. From all sides. From every angle. Workout after workout. Practice after practice. Play after play. Game after game. There is no stop, only go.

We build gear for players. For nearly a century, we've committed ourselves to developing the most innovative and technologically advanced gear in sports. All with the sole purpose of empowering players to focus and perform at the top of their game.

Gear up your game.

Adams

A proud member of the Schutt Sports family of brands, Adams is committed to staying ahead of the game when it comes to offering you the best gear possible. Whether you're looking for team equipment or official's apparel, Adams has it.

At Adams, the athlete matters most. We are always focused on creating products that will help you perform at your best and give you the competitive edge.

Tucci

Schutt Sports is proud to partner with Tucci. As the bat of choice for over one third of Pro Baseball hitters, all Tucci Baseball Bats are held to the highest standard to sustain peak performance.

After years of combining firsthand knowledge of professional players’ needs, extensive technical development and constant design and manufacturing process refinement, Tucci Baseball Bats have become the gold standard of the industry.

The Science of Domination

At Schutt Sports, we build gear for performance and protection. Decades of technological advancement and dedication have gone into creating the highest-performing and most protective gear possible. Some of our advanced protection technologies include:

  • D30 Cushioning
  • TPU Advanced Impact Absorption System
  • SUREFIT Airliner
  • Titanium Faceguards

Prohitter Batters Training Aid

Prohitter

Based on 362 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Prohitter is worn on the thumb of the top hand holding the bat to increase bat speed and power. Used by the Pros! It also helps prevent getting stung.

  • Worn on the thumb of the top hand holding the bat to increase bat speed and power
  • Fits both right and left hitting adult sized hands
  • Helps prevent getting stung!
  • Made from durable, rubber-like resin
  • Used by the Pros!
  • Used by top pros.
  • Fits both right and left handed adult size batters hands

User questions & answers

Question: I am 17 6"1 and am very skinny, what size should I get? Have skinny fingers and average size hands for a junior
Answer: I would say go with adult size. My son is 11 and used the junior last season. It also fills out your grip better with the larger size.
Question: List price of $22.35 should correspond to a 3-pack of ProHitters, not singles. Is the one selling for $11.50 a 3-pack
Answer: I bought it as a single piece.
Question: Product description states 'mid-size'. Is this youth or adult
Answer: In between, I have the adult and it works fine for me as I am a 35 year old adult.
Question: what is the best age for the youth size and what is the best age for the adult size
Answer: youth size 16 and best for the adult size 18

SKLZ Hit-A-Way Batting Swing Trainer for Baseball and Softball

SKLZ

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price
  • Improve timing, confidence and hand-eye coordination
  • Develop better swing and stance mechanics
  • Get up to 500 swings per hour without ever chasing a ball
  • Tethered ball and cord with Velcro straps quickly attaches to any pole or tree
  • Easily adjusts to any height

User questions & answers

Question: I'm not a sports person but my girlfriend brother plays college baseball, would this be ok as small fun Christmas gift? or will he break the thing
Answer: Yes someone needs to hold the stick for this trainer. The nice thing about this is the person holding it can vary the height and depth of where you hit the ball. I believe the automated ones keep the ball in the same spot every time which is certainly not the same in a game situation.
Question: Does this work with the SKLZ Hit-A-Aw baseball swing trainer pole
Answer: As long as the person holding it for him is close to the same height, and can hold onto it with a stronger person hitting it, you should be fine
Question: Is this item come with pole? Or what is exactly deliver for this item
Answer: Hello Richard: This is a smaller baseball head trainer. This trainer is recommended for primarily baseball use. Let us know if you have any other concerns. We look forward to receiving your order. Good luck with your rookie league!Thank you.
Question: my basketball goal pole is too big... about 5in square. Any Idea on how to install it
Answer: The reason for this is that with many of the composite bats that kids are using these days, the bat manufacturers do not recommend hitting batting machine balls, or tools such as this - which has a really hard plastic end. Actual baseballs have more 'give' to them. With little kids, it probably won't make a difference - but once they're 11 or 12, and hitting much more power, then you could potentially be putting your $300 sweet game bat in jeopardy. With my son, he only uses an old 'dead' bat for BP, and only is good 'game' bat for tournaments.

Product features

SKLZ Hit-A-Way Batting Swing Trainer for Baseball and Softball, Softball

This # 1 softball swing trainer has a legacy for helping batters with their swing mechanics and hitting consistency. Velcro the two straps to any pole or tree to simulate real pitches for improved hand-eye coordination. Get hours of swing training without having to chase a ball.

SKLZ

SKLZ provides multisport athletic performance and skill development products for use at home and in training environments. SKLZ family of products includes exercise, fitness, and agility tools, and training equipment for soccer, football, basketball, baseball, and golf.

Franklin Sports Baseball Bat Swing Trainer - Gator Grip Grip Trainer - Baseball and Softball Hitting Aid - Knuckle Aligner and Swing Trainer

Franklin Sports

Based on 373 reviews Check latest price
  • Helps produce faster wrist turns and quicker bat speed
  • Assists with correct bat technique
  • Enhances grip on the bat handle
  • Ultra-durable, long lasting, and flexible silicon construction
  • Durable and long lasting

User questions & answers

Question: How does this compare to a pro hitter
Answer: In between, I have the adult and it works fine for me as I am a 35 year old adult.
Question: Suitable for a 10 year old
Answer: youth size 16 and best for the adult size 18

Hot Glove Hit and Field Specs Baseball and Softball Head Down Training Aid Multi, One Size

Unique

Based on 74 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Hit Field Specs are a great training device to help keep the batters head in the proper hitting position. The lower field of vision is blocked so the batter is forced to look a the ball all the way through contact. Can also be used for fielding. It forces the fielder to continue to see the ball into the glove before looking up and throwing. Looking up leads to strikeouts at the plate and errors on the field.

  • Hit Field Specs is a Baseball Training Aid that blocks the lower field of vision for proper head position for both hitting and fielding.
  • Batter is forced to look at the ball all the way through contact! Looking up too early results in strikeouts.
  • Fielder is forced to keep head down to see the ball all the way into the glove before looking up and throwing. Reduces fielding errors.
  • One size fits all with adjustable head strap
  • Soft plastic makes this comfortable to wear

User questions & answers

Question: Will they fit over my sons glasses
Answer: Not like a glove. But you can make it work.
Question: Will these fit a 6-8 year old
Answer: They may be a bit too large. My daughter is 12 and they just fit her.
Question: Can this be used on a flat ground? Or does it need to be dug into the dirt
Answer: It comes with two nail like stake that you angle on either side and drive into the ground. Yes needs to be on flat ground for proper technique
Question: Which foot does it go on, the back or front foot
Answer: Back foot
Question: What is on the bottom? What keeps this from sliding across the ground
Answer: Did you ever purchase this or figure out the answer?

Power Pod Softball Training Aid Pitching Gear Pitch Equipment Trainer

Insider Bat

Based on 312 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Insider Bat Power Pod Is A Great Way For Players Of All Levels To Maximize The Power Behind Their Pitches Or Their Swings. Place The Flat Bottom Of The Rubber Pod On The Diamond Or Gym Flooring, Underneath Your Back Foot During Training. By Pushing Your Lower Body Forward, It Teaches You To Transfer Your Momentum Through The Lower Body, Into Your Swing Or Throw.

  • Allows players of all levels to maximize the power behind their pitches or their swings
  • Place flat bottom of pod on diamond or gym flooring, underneath your back foot during training
  • Pushing your lower body forward, teaches you to transfer momentum through lower body, into your swing or throw

User questions & answers

Question: If Softball is a second sport, can they still do it
Answer: Yes
Question: Why arent there instructions or a tutorial included
Answer: U can YouTube it .
Question: What is the size of this? Description says 3x9x12. I assume the height is 3 and the wide is 9. What is the
Answer: It’s a circle, so not sure what 12 is either.
Question: How do you use this
Answer: My daughter rarely used it, but this is video of how you can. https://youtu.be/Pj0YIyYEHA8

Markwort Perfect Circle Pitcher's Training Aid yellow, Medium

Markwort

Based on 41 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Develops muscle memory for pitching a softball correctly. Helps pitchers to keep the bottom part of the circle in close to the thigh. Instant feedback without the need of a coach watching. Elastic band holds a square cotton flap that fits around the upper thigh and extends out a few inches into the pitcher’s release zone. When practicing windmill pitches for softball, the arm should touch the flap every time. An arm position too far from the thigh at the bottom can cause many problems, including control problems, lack of speed, undue stress to the shoulder socket and more. Teaches proper placement of the hand in the release zone. Excellent pitching aid for basic mechanics or advanced pitching mechanics such as fast ball, change-up, drop ball, screw ball, rise ball, and curve ball. Developed by ASA certified/former collegiate pitching coach Mike Fairchild. With instructional CD and carrying case. Patent Pending.

  • Package length: 23.368 cm
  • Package width: 13.97 cm
  • Package height: 1.016 cm
  • Product Type: SPORTING GOODS

Markwort The Perfect Circle Pitcher's Training Aid, 13 - 17-Inch Circumference

Markwort

Based on 71 reviews Check latest price

Product description

The Perfect Circle develops muscle memory for pitching a softball correctly. Helps pitchers to keep the bottom part of the circle in close to the thigh. Perfect Circle Provides instant feedback without the need of a coach watching. Elastic band holds a square cotton flap that fits around the upper thigh and extends out a few inches into the pitcher's release zone.

  • When practicing windmill pitches for softball, the arm should touch the flap every time
  • Excellent pitching aid for basic mechanics or advanced pitching machines such as fast ball, change-up, drop ball, screw ball, rise ball, and curve ball
  • Fits in your pocket
  • Includes instructional CD and carrying case
  • New larger size is 15"-17" in circumference.

User questions & answers

Question: Several reviews say that the sizing is limited. What is the exact length of the velcro strap
Answer: I don't know the exact length off hand, but we did buy an additional piece of velcro from the craft store to make the length longer and it works perfectly. You just velcro it to the existing piece, no sewing or alterations required.
Question: how big is the square? dimensions
Answer: About 3x3 (by memory)
Question: is there a patent on this? I’d like to make one for my granddaughter and need to know if this is ok
Answer: Best to check with the US patent office and now that you've opened that can of worms, probably should be sure of the answer before you make one

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