Softball Hitting Tips: Increase hitting power with the balloon tape/grip - tutorial

[@MBFModernHomesteading]

Have used this a few times since watching this, awesome!

[@bathound]

great to hear!

[@chris22186]

Tried this just moments ago and I'm in love! Thank you so much.

[@bathound]

Great to hear! Once I started I was quickly won over as well.

[@leehanson6855]

Hound sharing all of his best keep secrets.. That overlapping hand grip, aka Brett Helmer style, is tremendous also right!!!

[@bathound]

Lee Hanson haha. All credit goes to Time Traveler 👍. He took several attempts of spelling all this out for me. If I remember rightly I didn’t understand what he was talking about the first time. Then he took what must have been a good chunk of time and spelled it out step by step for me. I read the description slowly several times before I finally understood what he was saying and the benefits. Super glad he was patient with me and kept trying because I love this new route 👍😂. If you give it a try let me know what you think.

[@shawnnunnally4512]

Adding weight to the knob will not change the MOI(Moment of Inertia) of the bat as the pivot point is still above the knob cuff you installed regardless of whether it weights .01 or 1.0 ounces. In short it doesn't change the balance point of a bat when swung

[@brianroberson2557]

Would be helpful to see if there is a performance difference measurement.

[@bathound]

Yeah good point. I haven't tested that.

[@edrose14]

Well great job content good done well. Been playing for 55 years Been doing that with Tape for a long long time .. That said I did it for my Gribs ( Overlap) I have many friends who are experts on bats and responses. I have been told that the tape up high reduces the flex of new composite bats. I think that also is an asset to your recommendation. Ed Rose Florida

[@bathound]

Thanks for the info! And thanks for watching

[@stevenimlay7955]

Like this, great job!

[@GregJay]

Hi, I'm trying to see how it wouldn't collapse the air bubble with the horizontal tape? Or is that the idea? It looks good though I'm gonna try it, I have missed 4 home runs because I lack 10-20 more feet. In softball I use a 2 finger grip with my top hand 2 finger with the rest on my bottom hand, the whip is amazing, but, for baseball that grip doesn't get it, I am looking for a similar hack though, this might be it.

[@bathound]

I find that if you put a horizontal piece of tape at the base of the bubble portion, it more "locks" in the bubble (knob cuff replica), so that it is tighter. I do that horizontal piece fairly tight. It took me a couple tries before I was able to get it all work out. If you give it a try let me know how you like it.

[@EwokyBalboa]

I know this video is a year old but I wanted to give myself some time to give it a fair comparison. seems to be a little less forgiving on the shock when hitting a balls near the handle and I've been beating the hell out of my palm with the knob so I went back to using my bat with the knob cuff for a bit since I don't get the same issue with it. any tips to mitigate that?

[@bathound]

Interesting. I haven't noticed that since making the switch. I've used a knob cuff a couple times since and it still feels fine, but I have really come to love the feel of the balloon grip. Thanks for the update. It is good to know in case anyone else mentions something like this.

[@MrKatfishHimself]

Hey bud, I liked the video and I don't wanna sound like I'm hating but, I was doing this back in 2010. I like how you did the pyramid/cone grip but if you just do the one piece of tape at the beginning of the "cone", you don't have to put a second piece at the bottom. Just take your hand as though you're tripping the bat and squeeze. That will form the bottom and it will be tight without the last piece of tape. Try it out bud. Again, not hating and yes, ppl that like to do the athletic tape, I say go for it. The knob cuff/self made cuff to me, makes the bat lighter and been trying to tell ppl I play with, the same. Enjoy your new bat too.

[@bathound]

Thanks for the comment and the tip. I'm always looking for ways to improve things. I will give it a try!!

[@idontknow-qo7fp]

hello bh! i am wondering if you are sold on this, are you still doing this to your bats? thanks

[@bathound]

sorry for the delayed response. Yeah, I do this to all my bats as soon as I get them haha. Thanks for watching!

[@boterobotero1934]

Read your maybe only allowed 2 courses of tape and approved knob cuffs in certain fields of play. That being said, I cut to fit a small piece of grey foam pipe insulation to fit then wrapped it once over with hockey tape. feels great and cost me next to nothing lol

[@bathound]

That is an interesting idea! If I can find some pipe insulation I'd like to try that. thanks for the tip.

[@buco1719]

Love the jersey

[@bathound]

thanks!

[@joestroo]

I’m going to try this out right now!

[@bathound]

Joe Stroo nice! I hope it works out well for you. I continue to love this method for performance and for feel 👍

[@abestang707]

What up! Have you swung that new viper bat yet? If so, how do you like it?

[@bathound]

Milez Deep thanks for asking. Oh yeah I like that one 👍. I’m hoping to publish a review on it soon. Just have some work to do on it. Thanks for watching!

[@robrich9401]

Thanks for doing this. If a picture is worth a thousand words, this has got to be worth 10K. Thanks also to Time Traveler, love these tricks of the trade! Just one question; does the tape stretch out over time? How often do you retape?

[@bathound]

Rob Rich good questions. I have not noticed any stretching. So far it looks to be holding up on my bats for a long time. I haven’t had any wear out yet and I’m pretty sure one of the bats had gotten over 1000 swings on it since taping. But I also haven’t had any games yet - snowed up here the last two weeks 😲😫. If Time Traveler sees this he would be able to answer that one for us with some real experience 👍😃. How is that shoulder?

[@robrich9401]

The Bat Hound Softball Reviews and Tips - looks like the sprain is really a torn rotator cuff. Just had an MRI and it’s bad news. Probably out until August. Tough year.

[@bathound]

Rob Rich ahhh sorry to hear! I hope the recovery goes well, even better than planned.

[@angelestepan9297]

What is the best ASA bat of 2020 for you? Seems like you are into the krecher, can you rank your top 3

[@bathound]

If you check out my website, I have a page on there with a spreadsheet that I update regularly and move bats around as needed. The ones ranked are the ones I've completed reviews on. You'll notice on the bottom of the sheet I still have a number of bats to have their reviews completed. www.thebathound.com/

[@angelestepan9297]

The Bat Hound Softball Reviews and Tips I saw your page after. Thanks a lot. Great job man! Keep vids coming

[@ryanmiller7887]

Do you use the 1 inch or the 1.5 inch?

[@bathound]

I use the 1" just because that is what the store near me sells.

[@JC-hi6yi]

was this an end-loaded bat or balance

[@bathound]

That bat has an end load. I can't remember if it was .5 or 1oz though, sorry.

[@steveramirez193]

Will this work baseball bat

[@bathound]

Steve Ramirez I would think it should. Never tried it though but I don’t see why not 👍

[@JayZombie84]

How cool is this?! Just ordered a closeout 2017 ronin composite. All I can afford. I may have to try this. You have to be putting out some of the best Softball content on youtube!

[@bathound]

jayo84 thanks for the support! If you try it out let me know how you like it.

[@ATL3xtra]

I have the Ronin Dual stamp (black/Red/White) They take a while to break in but mine has 2000+ swings and still passes compression. The Ronin hits 52''s very welll but you have to be patient

[@JayZombie84]

@@ATL3xtra Thanks man! I like the way the ronin feels. Got about 50 swings on it. Have a while to go. I actually just took a gamble and purchased the mystery box at smash it sports. I'll get a $299 bat for $199. It will be a current model and not last years! I used the afirm option to make it affordable. I am hoping to get a great bat!

[@ATL3xtra]

@@JayZombie84 FYI You can use a rubber mallet to speed up that break in... We gamed it last night and everyone liked it.. We won the game so.........

[@Steve126a]

How does the hockey tape hold up to field dirt? Does it make the grip slick after a while? Do you have to re-tape your bat often?

[@bathound]

I wouldn't say often, but it is more than when I didn't do the balloon grip.

[@supernerd7086]

So does it make the bat more balanced?

[@bathound]

no, it actually moves the balance point so it would feel more end loaded.

[@berniereed]

What about the Asa rule of grip not being less than 6 inches

[@bathound]

Bernie Reed oh I was not aware of that. Thanks for pointing that out. If that is the case I’ll make sure to get the tape to the six inch mark. No intention of breaking the rules 👍. Thanks.

[@ragreen1221]

What brand hockey tape do you use?

[@bathound]

ragreen1221 I use “Howies” simply because that is the brand the hockey store close to me sells. I’m open to trying others if you have any suggestions.

[@Crazydawg248]

I’ve heard that people that use a pinky drop grip are more prone to wrist injuries especially fracturing the hamate bone. do you think this tape job will help?

[@bathound]

David Quintero I can’t say I’ve heard that so I cant speak to it. Plus I don’t want to pretend that I can give medical advice 😃. Using the drop down full overlap, I like this because if feels more like I’m holding a racquetball in my hand. There is less stress for me on my bottom hand and holding onto the bat isn’t a problem.

[@brianbanks8264]

I like your Jets shirt...where can I get it

[@bathound]

Brian Banks it’s for one of the teams I play for. I think it is a pub on the south side of Milwaukee. Someone else asked about it once too. I don’t run the team but can ask the guy who does. I’m hoping to get some sort of merchandise thing started eventually. If it all works out perhaps I can throw some of these on there as well. I’ll try to remember to circle back though once the snow melts again and I see the manager 😲😂

[@brianbanks8264]

I have the hockey jersey and thought your shirt was great.....@@bathound

[@bathound]

Brian Banks oh that makes sense - the manager plays a ton of hockey 😃.

[@tylerdow9516]

Since you are concerned with weight, have you tried the Grip n Rip Lite taper? Just wondering how the two would compare and what your thoughts are?

[@bathound]

I've never actually swing a bat with one on, but I've purchased one - maybe two - used bat that had one on it. I recall weighing it, or looking up the weight, and if I remember correctly the tape alone still weighed less. That said, that would still be a better option than a typical knob cuff. However, for me, since doing this method for a year now I've really come to love the feel of it, even more than the knob cuff.

[@cheongsin4339]

Great job Bat hound. Kudos to you for such creative mind thinking. where do you get the grip tape from?

[@jpperrier137]

It's hockey stick tape. Athletic tape also works.

[@cheongsin4339]

@@jpperrier137 Thanks, are both of those sticky?

[@jpperrier137]

Not sticky on the outside.

[@robrich9401]

@@cheongsin4339 Hockey tape is great. Use it all the time. It's not as shock absorbent as some of the thicker plastic handle wraps, but I use it without gloves with no problem. It also gives you a great grip, not sticky but not smooth or slippery.

[@kevinkemmerer6552]

The Viper, isn't this just a repaint of the Ambassador

[@johnnydarter]

Yessir 👍

[@bathound]

As far as I can tell. Barrel feels softer and it has a matte/brushed finish but other than that it seems like it.

[@khand187]

Well, I know what I'll be doing on rainy days. I have an assortment o hockey tape. 👍

[@bathound]

khand187 let me know how you like it if you get around to trying it out 👍

[@khand187]

@@bathound I shall. I already use tape to create a taper.... but the method I use requires quite a bit of tape. This method will definitely reduce weight. I'll be trying it

[@jimpeterson3806]

Sweet! I have a few bats that are heavier in the handle than others. Gonna give it a whirl. Thanks Bat Hound and thanks Time Traveler 👍

[@bathound]

Jim Peterson let us know how you like it if you are able to try it out 👍

[@carlburgin9362]

I've been taping my bats like this for 20 years. All the way back to my first DeMarini Doublewall Distance. 👍

[@bathound]

Nice! I got this tip from someone who has been doing it for decades.

[@carlburgin9362]

@@bathound I live the thin handle feel and the balloon. I also drop my pinky. Haven't mastered the overlap grip.

[@bathound]

@@carlburgin9362 The grip took me a couple thousands swings before I felt fully confident with it, where traditional grip now feels strange :)

[@sterlinghousewashpressurew9594]

I like this idea for fastpitch where a 1/4 or 1/2 ounce will make a huge difference in bat speed. Thinking we can cut some bat grip off since its so high up the handle.

[@bathound]

Sterling House Wash Pressure Washing nice! Let us know how it works if you are able to give it a try.

[@jasonadams5247]

What kind of tape should I order on amazon for this?

[@bathound]

Sorry I just saw this. I just use hockey tape. I like the cloth feel of it. But you can use athletic tape as well.

[@jaydeef5187]

Why wouldnt you just buy an endoaded bat? Its underhand softball is .3 oz gonna be a deal breaker?

[@bathound]

Fair question. I do buy end loaded bats, and the one I'm using in this video is end loaded already. It just move the balance point that much more. Its the sort of thing that when you add an adjustment here that gives a little help, and adjustment here, another there...it all adds up. That is more my mind set.

[@77tubarao]

Which knobcuff brand/model did you put on Viper?

[@bathound]

I'm not sure on the brand, but this is the guy buy my knob cuffs from: facebook.com/groups/1244135872349333/. I've always had a great experience with him.

[@77tubarao]

@@bathound thanks!

[@timetraveler1281]

Great Job ! You got it ! Can you feel any difference in how the bat feels slightly more endloaded ? Any 21 inch balance point is good , and above 21 is great .

[@johnnydarter]

Why is 21 the magic number?

[@bathound]

Time Traveler great to hear!! I actually like the feel of this in my hands better than the knob cuffs too so I’m planning to make the switch 😃. Yes I can feel slightly more end load, and I especially notice it on the midloads, which then have more of an end load feel. Thanks again for the tips and for taking the time to spell it all out! 👍👍

[@timetraveler1281]

@@johnnydarter The old ASA standards , dating back when we used 47 cor balls ( yes I know I just dated myself , been around a long time ) They limited any Endloads to not exceed a balance point of 21 inches . Most endloads balanced at 20 1/2 to 20 3/4 , so we figured out that by doing up a bat this way we could at least get to 21 or maybe exceed it . The 21 inch came from certification testing by ASA / USSSA . A bat with a 20 to 20 1/2 will not feel as endloaded nor it get the same type of whip as a 21 or greater . Plus using a knob cuff and leaving on the factory grips adds over a 1/2 ounce of weight into your hands , slows down your hands . Faster hands faster bat speed . Want to increase your hand speed more cut off a broom handle , add that old grip you just took off your bat to it ( cut the broom handle 34 inches . Practice swing it everyday in sets of 12 a couple times , before games do it . It will build your fast twitch muscles ( hand and arm speed ) There is no fast way to improve everything but a combination of workouts , practice and exercises you can preform anyone can learn to bust a ball traveling at you 12 MPH LOL Man I feel like I am coaching again , sorry so long , these responses way to long

[@michaelhan27]

I just did this to the OG 2011 Salvo 26.3oz went from 20 5/16 to 20 5/8. Now weighs 26.1 Interestingly, I measured a 2019 "27" oz Ghost 2. Balance point was 20 3/8 and weighed 27.4oz with knob cuff and factory grip. Most interestingly is that my 2016 "26" oz Baker with knob cuff and OMG grip weighted 27.1 oz and had a balance point of 21 3/8!!!! Its supposed to be a balanced 26oz!

[@bathound]

Michael Han nice. Thanks for the stats! Did you try it on the ghost also? It sounded like the stats were before trying it. If so I was wondering what the difference was.

[@seankidd4472]

I love the knob cuff, but also love traditional grip (I use lizard skin) I wonder if it's possible to use this technique and still put a traditional grip over top?

[@bathound]

Sean Kidd sorry I never tried it but I suppose it would work. The handle would be heavier than this but still less than a typical knob cuff plus the grip. Just don’t do the final layer of hockey tape around/up the handle and do the lizard skin tape instead, I would think should work. If you try it let me know how it goes.

[@jmeist25]

When you gunna be testing out that viper 😁

[@bathound]

jmeist25 I was hoping to have it outside today but the snow storm has changed those plans 😫. So now I’m hoping to unwrap it today in the garage and get radar out of the wrapper. Hopefully the snow melts and I can get outside tomorrow to do field comparisons, as it looks like rain from Wednesday on... assuming those plans work out I’ll do my best to get voice over done by end of week. But it may be early next week 😬😬

[@johnnydarter]

As soon as we unwrap my Demon & Firestick 😍🔥😍🔥

[@romanmoralesqb1]

The bat was never balanced. Touched on either the barrel or the handle every time.

[@KP-fm4rv]

dominicroman3 him: “okay it’s balanced :)” *bat literally touching the table*

[@romanmoralesqb1]

K P lol exactly

[@bathound]

Thanks for watching. While taking the first measurement, around the 2:30 mark I state, "It will be enough to demonstrate." My goal was to do it all in one take so I wasn't editing things like crazy, and so it was clear you could see the results without any funny business. What I meant in that statement was that if I spent more time trying to get to the half milimeter or whatever it would be, so that the bat totally floated, well sure the line may be a smidge up or down the barrel. But for the purpose of the video I was aiming to show that the balance point moves with the balloon grip. Anyhow, have you been able to try it out? If you get a chance to I'd be interested to hear how you like the feel of it and also the results you get in terms of weight and balance point differences. Again, thanks for watching.

[@aerialmortgage8370]

Balloon grip + pine tar + overlap grip

[@bathound]

If I used batting gloves I would like the pine tar. I just don't use batting gloves if I can help it.

[@rayray2039]

Can I do it like that and add a lizard skin over it ? Anyone. I assume yes lol

[@bathound]

I would assume so. That sounds like it might be a really thick grip at that point. But you could always try it.

[@bathound]

If you like the Lizard grip, have you considered one of those "grip it light"s I think they are called, that go under the grip?

[@rayray2039]

@@bathound yeah it came out thick lol didn’t help that I added a 1.8mm lizard skin over it. But it works

[@KeetsKeets]

Apparently I’m late to the party but how do you think putting a bat grip on top of the balloon would hold up? I know it defeats the weight benefit but I’m thinking more about comfort.

[@bathound]

Good question. I've never tried it. I personally like a thinner handle so I like going with the hockey tape. But I would imagine it would work fine.

[@KeetsKeets]

@@bathound thanks for the reply but I used it today and can hole heartedly say I agree with you. I didn’t even finish wrapping with the hockey tape bc I wasn’t sure what I was going to do and it still felt great. 👍👍

[@bathound]

@@KeetsKeets good to hear!

[@samprice2202]

Why not just get a bat with a heavier end load and use the cuff

[@bathound]

But even with the extra end load I would still not want to add more weight to the handle.

[@paulmiller677]

THIS IS ALL WELL AND GOOD BUT I PREFER TO USE MY TIME TAKING BATTING PRACTICE !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bathound]

PAUL MILLER it’s a good caution, as I love taking bp - love or off the tee - one of my favorite things to do 👍. But I can say once you get the hang of it, it doesn’t take too long to tape up. I don’t measure every bat either, but wanted to demonstrate how the balance point does move. It does take longer than my previous one layer of hockey tape, but not much, and I definitely like the feel of this more and how it takes weight off the handle 👍. Thanks for watching

[@jeremypitts9883]

I'm late to the party but the weight of the knob cuff is completely irrelevant, it's on the other side of the fulcrum created by your hands. The balance of the bat on the table isn't a good representation of the balance of the bat in your hands, which the weight of the cuff won't change.

[@bathound]

Sorry I don't quite understand what you mean. Is there another way to explain it?

[@jeremypitts9883]

@@bathound the fulcrum is the pivot point created by your hands that little weight on the other side of your hands won't matter as it won't add to the swing weight of the bat.

[@frankquiroz8537]

En español para q los niños entiendan

[@bathound]

thanks for watching!

[@cadelott4510]

can i put lizard skin over it?

[@bathound]

I’ve never tried it but I would assume you can.

[@kevink2208]

Was this filmed on a boat? buy a tripod

[@bathound]

Not a boat haha. Thanks for watching!

[@nyg_dbone]

Over lap lol this little guy needs all the help he can get 😂

[@bathound]

I hear ya, every little bit helps. Find enough little things and suddenly you have a major improvement :)

[@dannyninjazavala7736]

This is goofy. Ryan harvey would never do this🤣

[@bathound]

Thanks for watching! It certainly isn't for everyone.

[@billyvan8362]

lol..

[@bathound]

haha