Use Best Baseball Training Aid to Excel in Game

Well-designed, affordable baseball training aids allow developing players to hone their skills throughout the year. These devices are meant to fine-tune coordination, increase reaction time, and prepare batters and fielders for the unexpected. Most of the products now available are the result of sports mechanics research, and they are popularly used by players of all skill levels.

Swing Trainers
Designed to increase swing speed and power, swing trainers are full-size bats that contain a built-in auditory feature. The bat clicks at the time of contact with the ball. This helps players to develop a more direct line of swing, resulting in a powerful motion. Portable tripod trainers have a sturdy base that can be set up on any level surface. They have a twist-back design that simulates real pitches. This type of baseball training aid allows a hitter to perform hundreds of swing repetitions without ever having to retrieve a ball.

Pitching Machines
Portable pitching machines have evolved quite a bit over the past two decades. Modern pitching machines are either of the catapult variety or flexible pole delivery system. The catapult style delivers up to a dozen balls, one ball every eight or ten seconds. The pole delivery style usually comes with a set of micro balls that help batters with their hand-eye coordination. These models have a detachable shagger that players can carry around the field or backyard to retrieve the balls.

Fielding Trainers:
Reaction balls are becoming very popular with coaches and developing players, and is a good baseball training aid. These are brightly colored and are made up of several soft-material globes that have been fused together. When lobbed against a wall, they rebound in an unpredictable manner. This helps players react to every conceivable type of bouncing ball that would be experienced in a real game. Foam fielding trainers look much like a Ping-Pong paddle. They fit comfortably around the hand and are very lightweight. These are used to help train fielders in quick transfer from the glove to the throwing hand.

Training Balls
One of the more innovative areas of baseball training aids is the development of high-tech baseballs. These include balls that have a built-in speed indicator. The ball can be adjusted for either little league or big league pitching distances. Weighted baseballs are approximately 100 percent heavier than official balls used during a game. These balls help build a pitcher's or fielder's throwing strength and are perfect for pre-game warm-up. They are brightly colored to distinguish them from actual game balls. Safety balls are made from a soft, cushiony material. They are an excellent training aid for younger players. These balls allow players to concentrate on their fielding skills without fear of injury.