Fungo Bats:
Fungo bats are relatively lighter weight bats used for training and coaching. They are lighter in weight as compared to the original baseball bats. They are used to stimulate the hits which are made in the real game so the player knows how to work in the field.
Fungo bats were made popular by the baseball coaches because they use these bats to increase the precision of the player. Some drills are carried out by parents or coaches in which the ball is constantly through in the air and the player holding the bat hits it. This is done to practice. Due to its lightweight, the Fungo bat is very popular and recommended by the coaches. Fungo bats being lighter in weight than the original bats are preferred during practices.
The construction of the bat is rather different than the original bat. They are longer in length and thinner barrel diameter and weigh up to 24 ounces. This allows for more control and accuracy during practice sessions.
David Allison once wrote in a Country Journal that, “A fungo bat looks like a cross between a baseball bat and a broomstick.”
Fungo bats are typically used by coaches to consistently play pop flies to fielders for practice. Some coaches can pull off very precise shots with the help of a Fungo bat. One story got very popular that Jimmie Reese once shot an eighty-two on an 18 hole golf course using a Fungo bat.
Who created the Fungo Bat?
It’s not clear who made the first fungo bat but the words fungo or fungoes(plural) has been in use by baseball players and fans since 1800. Both the fans and the histories have agreed upon this that no one knows who made the first fungo bat. People have stopped researching on the matter. However, made sure made the right thing.
Where did the fungo bats originate?
It is assumed that the word fungo comes from the Scottish word “fung” which means to pitch, fling, or to toss. This can be a little accurate as the function of the fungo bat is the same. But the clear origin of the fungo bat is still a mystery. Only speculations have been made as to what the origin can be. Another speculation is that the fungo bat came from 1937. An American writer wrote that the fungo can be a combination of two words, fun and go. The third speculation is that fans of the baseball game believe that the word fungo comes from an old game that was quite similar to the baseball game. During that game the people use to chant “One go, Two goes, Fun goes.”
The real origin of the fungo bat remains a mystery.
When did fungo bat first come into play?
The fungo bats have been around since the baseball game. The baseball game is said to be invented by Abner Doubleday in New York during 1839. In the earlier days, fungo bats were thought to be used for cheating as they were lighter in weight and easy to control. Writers have referred in books that the weakest batting is shown by the players who start using fungo bats or fungo hitting. The baseball regulation bodies then decided that the fungo bat won’t be used in real gameplay and can only be used for practicing.
Types of fungo bats, weights, and lengths:
Wooden Bats:
these are the most popular bats used nowadays. The bats can be made of maple or ash wood and offer superior performance and durability. They can be found in different sizes from 34 inches to 36 inches. The customers can use the ones which suit them best.
The player can even customize their bats; having a choice of colors and engravings. A normal size bat if used in practice can fatigue the player and limit the number of reps, on the other hand, the fungo bat having such a lightweight can allow the player to get more reps and make each rep count.
Aluminum Bats:
The wooden bats are used more often but sometimes is required by the coaches that the player use an aluminum bat. Aluminum bats are becoming more common as well as they are used in the practice sessions to train the fielders. The sound made by the bat when it hits the ball can help the fielders by improving their reaction time. That little ping sound can be used as an alarm for the player.
The aluminum bats generally come in 35 inches size and are made of high strength alloy.
What makes a good fungo bat?
Fungo bat manufacturers focus on proper weight to make the bat easier to swing and durable. On the other hand, some of the manufacturers are only focused on cleaning out the wood which can not be used in another way.
An easy way to find the best fungo bat is to look for the precise weight and the precise length of the bat. It is usually mentioned on the bat. If you can not find it written on the bat it means that you are going to find a faulted piece.
Some companies use the finest wood which is also used for the manufacturing of pro bats.
Cost and Manufacturing of Fungo bats:
Typically fungo bats are 35 to 37 inches and weigh up to 17 to 24 inches, much lighter than the original baseball bat. The barrel of the fungo bat is 21/4 inches in diameter which allows more control when the bat is swung. Fungo bats are longer than normal baseball bats. If the bat is made of wood, it is more likely that the bat will be made of ash, maple, and bamboo wood. Some prefer an aluminum bat but all in all, whichever bat you chose is highly unlikely that the cost will go higher than $100.
Why would you use a fungo bat?
If you are a coach or a parent who wants to improve the fielding skills of your player then the fungo bat is the best choice for you. A normal adult wooden bat will weigh up to 21 to 30 ounces, which means that after going a few rounds you will get fatigued and you will feel like you went through a full workout. With the help of a fungo bat, you can do reps all day and not break a sweat. The barrel on a fungo bat is smaller so it’s easy to control and maneuver. The larger hitting surface and smaller barrel combined give the coaches a speedy and precise swing.
Conclusion:
In recent years baseball authorities do warn players about hitting the fungoes, it is said that fungo bats should only be limited to only coaches. Fungo bats are only good for training the fielders. When it comes to batters fungo bats can decrease their performance in the field and limit their abilities.
Fungo bats are not designed to make hard strong practice swings. They are meant for the trainers so that they can slap the ball around without getting tired.