Becoming more prevalent on the college level. Explain the benefits of the split grip. More barrel control seems obvious. What type of flaw would this address? What arm some of the negatives of using the split grip? Slappers have used it for years but starting to see righties using it too. Just curious what y’all’s thoughts on it
Split Grip
- Thread starter Cornbread
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Most people are stupid. Here's why you don't do it.
1. Decreased leverage
2. Shortens the bat (worse plate coverage, different or no sweet spot)
3. Reduces bat speed
No high level MLB hitter hits like this (after toe touch).
Edit: Driveline did a study on this:
study
Bat Speed:
Normal – 72.3 mph
Pinky-off – 72.0 mph
Choked-up – 70.5 mph
Split grip – 70.4 mph
Launch angle:
Pinky-off – 14.9°
Normal – 14.4°
Choked-up – 13.5°
Split grip – 11.8°
(the split grip probably keeps the bat head from dropping down as far as normal because of the shortened bat and leverage changes, so it worsens the launch angle)
This is very interesting in that a heavier or longer bat would seem to lead to greater launch angle.
So, as I have always said, use 1. the longest bat you can swing, that 2. is the heaviest
1. Decreased leverage
2. Shortens the bat (worse plate coverage, different or no sweet spot)
3. Reduces bat speed
No high level MLB hitter hits like this (after toe touch).
Edit: Driveline did a study on this:
study
Bat Speed:
Normal – 72.3 mph
Pinky-off – 72.0 mph
Choked-up – 70.5 mph
Split grip – 70.4 mph
Launch angle:
Pinky-off – 14.9°
Normal – 14.4°
Choked-up – 13.5°
Split grip – 11.8°
(the split grip probably keeps the bat head from dropping down as far as normal because of the shortened bat and leverage changes, so it worsens the launch angle)
This is very interesting in that a heavier or longer bat would seem to lead to greater launch angle.
So, as I have always said, use 1. the longest bat you can swing, that 2. is the heaviest
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Nice thread topic. And interesting study by driveline.
I think the driveline study might give a little insight as to why the split grip could be more useful in softball than baseball.
They sum up the split grip in the conclusion as "It might be worth switching to a slight split grip when facing a pitcher that lives up in the zone or has a high spin rate and/or high vertical break on their fastball".
I bet a split grip would be a nice bandaid for some hitters vs high velo or exellent spinning riseballers like Fouts(velo) or Rochard(spinning). Fouts velo is rare and Rochards spin axis(at that velo) is rare. And hitters dont get to see their type of stuff that often.
I think the driveline study might give a little insight as to why the split grip could be more useful in softball than baseball.
They sum up the split grip in the conclusion as "It might be worth switching to a slight split grip when facing a pitcher that lives up in the zone or has a high spin rate and/or high vertical break on their fastball".
I bet a split grip would be a nice bandaid for some hitters vs high velo or exellent spinning riseballers like Fouts(velo) or Rochard(spinning). Fouts velo is rare and Rochards spin axis(at that velo) is rare. And hitters dont get to see their type of stuff that often.
Yes. Have seen it used more often vs rise ballers. I’m thinking if posture is bad this could be used as a drill to work on that and helping with bat path. As driveline points out it can flatten launch angle some so could be used for players that are consistently under.
1. Instead of swinging at balls above the strike zone, wouldn't it make more sense to practice plate discipline, and/or fix your swing?
2. If I were a pitcher/catcher and I saw a hitter switch to split grip in anticipation of a rise ball, I would throw it low.
With softball bats as hot as they are solid contact rules. If a split grip helps the batter get that contact then it might be useful. It might be bat speed/ exit velo vs more consistent contact. Here is one interesting quote from the study;
You can see athletes swung the bat with a higher average bat speed using a normal and pinky off grip, as shown in the bat speed comparisons, but they were much quicker to the plate with choked-up and split grips, as shown by the rotational acceleration and time to contact comparisons.
You can see athletes swung the bat with a higher average bat speed using a normal and pinky off grip, as shown in the bat speed comparisons, but they were much quicker to the plate with choked-up and split grips, as shown by the rotational acceleration and time to contact comparisons.
Split grip freaks me out, I don't know how people can use it. The only Major player I remember seeing use it is Nelson Cruz against certain pitchers or in certain counts.
