Plate Performance with Coach Paul: Don’t Choke…Choke Up!

BY Paul Petricca

Get access to even more Extra Inning Softball content!

Don’t Choke…Choke Up!

With the new emphasis on power hitting at every level in softball, it is not surprising that some of the “little things” have been overlooked. Offenses used to be more focused on moving runners around the bases with multiple hits, rather than driving them in with one big swing.

When I was a young fan, it was common to see hitters in professional baseball lay down a bunt in any situation. The “hit and run” was also much more common. Another effective offensive strategy that has been all but lost is choking up on the bat!

Choking up on the bat simply means moving the hands up the bat from the handle a few inches. Many of the old-time players did this out of necessity because their bats were very heavy. Babe Ruth used a 36 inch/54 ounce bat early in his career, which is among the heaviest in baseball history. Later in his career, “The Bambino” used a lighter bat, but it was still 40 ounces.

Due to the primitive construction of early bats, players in Babe Ruth’s era did not have a wide selection to choose from. They had no choice but to use bats that were too long and too heavy. The only way for many players, especially the smaller ones, to control these big bats was to choke up.

Today, the average bat size in high school and college softball ranges from 32-34 inches and 22-24 ounces. Bat companies spoil hitters by customizing bats based on their height, weight, swing, and desired hitting strategy.

Like professional bowlers who have multiple balls for different shots, some softball players have multiple bats for different game situations. Hitters today just don’t see the need to choke up on the bat.

The controversial Barry Bonds was one of the few power hitters in modern baseball who choked up on the bat. During an interview, Bonds explained that he began choking up on the bat as a child. He recalled the promotional bats he received at major league baseball games during giveaway days. They were the same size as bats used by big leaguers.

Bonds was forced to choke up on these big bats in order to complete his swing while playing with his childhood friends. Sometimes he needed to choke up so much it caused the handle of the bat to hit his side during the swing. It was then that Bonds discovered the benefits of choking up on the bat and he never changed.

This is a picture of young Barry Bonds choking up on the bat.

Here are reasons why it is smart to choke up on the bat:

Greater Bat Control

Choking up on the bat makes the bat shorter. This enables hitters to control it better. It is also easier for hitters to find the “sweet spot” of the bat. This improved bat control is especially effective with two strikes or in pressure situations.

By choking up, hitters increase their chances of putting the ball in play instead of striking out. The sole objective is to force the defense to make a play or find a hole between fielders. This smart hitting strategy makes hitters more consistent and definitely more dangerous.

Increased Bat Speed and Power

Swinging a shorter and lighter bat can actually increase bat speed, which translates directly into more power. It’s a myth that choking up on the bat reduces power. Bat speed studies confirm the barrel of the bat travels faster when hitters choke up.

Here is a chart confirming choking up on the bat increases bat speed at the barrel of the bat.

* Picture courtesy of The Hardball Times

I am often asked by my hitters whether they should swing a larger or smaller bat. The simple answer is if softball hitters can swing a larger bat without sacrificing bat speed, then the change would be appropriate.

If hitters begin using a smaller bat, their bat speed will naturally increase to allow them to hit with the same power as using a larger bat. Choking up on the bat to make it smaller and lighter has the same positive effect.

I will write about choosing the right bat in a future article for Extra Inning Softball.

Defense Against Getting Jammed

In addition to more bat speed and bat control, choking up on the bat is a way to consistently get the bigger part of the bat on the ball. Hitters who are jammed on inside pitches while choking up will find the larger part of the bat more frequently. It may not be the “sweet spot” of the bat but making contact two or three inches up from the handle can be the difference between an infield pop-up and a line drive to the outfield.

More Mental Focus in Pressure Situations

Another key benefit of choking up on the bat is the mental advantage hitters will enjoy in pressure situations. Whenever I choked up on the bat as a young baseball player, my focus and intensity seemed to increase immediately. As soon as I moved my hands up the bat I became a tougher out.

Pitchers are also affected when hitters choke up on the bat. They are aware the hitter has made the decision to put the ball in play at any cost. This can force a pitcher to change their strategy. They may change the type of pitch and even the location when they notice hitters choking up. Advantage hitter!

Make Choking Up Great Again

After reading this article, I hope coaches and players will incorporate choking up as another weapon in their hitting arsenal. They should welcome any technique or strategy to gain more bat control without sacrificing power, especially in pressure situations. It is time for choking up on the bat a few inches to make a comeback in softball.

*****