SwingRite, LLC Releases Home Run Hitter: New Technology Will Replace Bat Weights

Boston, MA, December 03, 2012 --(PR.com)-- SwingRite is introducing the Home Run Hitter which will replace traditional batting donuts and weighted bats as warm-up tools. These traditional devices reduce batters’ abilities at the plate, while the Home Run Hitter increases bat speed and power, reduces fatigue, and encourages correct swing mechanics.

The Home Run Hitter is customized to the batter’s personal bat length and weight. It has been proven that “swinging heavy devices prior to an at-bat actually fatigues and tires out the fast-twitch muscle fibers you'll be using momentarily at the plate,” according to Coop DeRenne, a physical-education professor at the University of Hawaii also known as the guru of the on-deck ritual.

Advocates of the Home Run Hitter include: Jason Romano, 12-year veteran of MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball League; Jim Lefebvre, 1965 NL Rookie of the Year (see accompanying photo with Kate Whitney, SwingRite president); Allen Rowin, coordinator of player development for the Astros; and Dale Sveum, batting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Home Run Hitter is adjustable to batters of any strength since it has nine different settings for varying velocities. With a few twists the batter can calibrate it for swings from 54-101 MPH. As the batter uses the tool, they are able to hear its unique “click” that designates the impact position of the ball, correct their swing, see their swing speed increase, and adjust the bat as they improve.

A common misconception is that swinging a weighted bat in the on-deck circle will make the hitter’s bat feel lighter at the plate creating more bat speed. However, “Increase - or even decrease - the weight of your bat between 10% and 13%, and you decrease bat speed from three to five miles per hour,” says DeRenne. “The batter should mimic in his warm-up what he will do in the game - the same weight, the same motion."

A study was conducted using various bat types, standard, aluminum, fungo, and one with a donut, to measure the maximum velocity of a batter after warming up and taking three practice swings. It was found “that adding a donut ring, or any other weight-altering device, actually slows bat speed and can negatively alter swing mechanics.” (Joe Baur)

The Home Run Hitter teaches the batter where any mechanical flaws in their swing may be using the unique “click” sound made at the point of impact. “It helps players to understand how to direct the swing in order to maximize efficient bat speed,” according to Ty van Burkleo, hitting coach for the Houston Astros, who uses the Home Run Hitter with his team.

SwingRite, LLC is located in the Greater Boston area in Massachusetts. They are the producers of such products as the SwingRite golf training aid and the SwingRite Home Run Hitter. Their products are 100% Made in the USA and come with an unconditional, money-back guarantee.