Fungo bats were invented in the late 1800s and have since become a popular way to practise baseball. Coaches and players frequently use a fungo bat during fielding practise because the reduced weight allows hitters to hit ground balls and fly balls over the field often.
A fungo bat is a type of baseball bat that is used to hit fungoes. A fungo bat is a long, lightweight baseball bat used by coaches (or parents) during pregame hitting or practises to help players hit grounders and pop flys more consistently and with less fatigue. Coaches and parents utilise fungo bats during fielding practise since they are relatively light. They’re designed to help position players improve their fielding by imitating in-game hits. During fielding practise, fungo drills involve the coach or parent hurling a ball into the air and hitting it to the players again.
Most baseball coaches prefer the fungo bat because of its small weight. Batting practise or games with wooden bats often weigh between 31 and 34 ounces, which can cause tiredness while performing drills. It’s not a good idea to practise fungo drills with a regular bat.
The fungo bat has a longer length and a thinner barrel diameter, and it will weigh between 22 and 24 ounces. Coaches and parents can hit with more precision and control thanks to these features.
Aside from its weight, the shape of a fungo bat differs from that of a standard metal or wood baseball bat. Instead of enlarging as the bat approaches the end, the barrel diameter of fungo bats remains steady as they reach away from the handle.
How is a Fungo bat made-
Typically, a fungo bat is composed of wood or metal. Steel-belted fungo bats are the most prevalent, and they can range in length from 24 to 32 inches. These fungo bats’ handles are often thinner than other varieties, making them easier to grasp for players who prefer the feel. Furthermore, a metal fungo bat has a somewhat longer lifespan than a wooden one.
Ash (including northern ash), bamboo, birch, maple, and poplar are popular wood fungo bats. Because it is one of the lighter timbers, poplar is ideal for fungoes.
Why is a Fungo bat important-
A fungo bat is a customised bat used by baseball (and softball) coaches to do infield/outfield drills during practice and warm-up before games. The fungo bat has the appearance and behaviour of a standard bat, but it is exclusively intended for use as training equipment. The barrel, handle, knob, and weight of the bat are the only differences between conventional bats and fungoes.
A standard adult wooden baseball bat weighs roughly 27-31 ounces, and after a few rounds of pop-flies, you’ll feel like you’ve just completed a full-body exercise. With a fungo bat, you’ll be able to hit ground balls and pop flys all day long without feeling tired.
A fungo bat’s barrel usually is 2 1/4 inches in diameter, which considerably aids in controlling the bat across the hitting zone. While the barrel has a much thinner diameter than a standard wood baseball bat, it is also significantly longer. Coaches and parents will appreciate the faster swing speeds and pinpoint precision that this larger hitting area and smaller barrel provide.
