Training tools and equipment can be a fun and engaging addition to a baseball player’s training regimen. But, if you’ve ever spent a few minutes searching the internet for them, you’d know there are hundreds of different hitting trainers out there.
No hitting trainer is going to be a fix-all for a hitter. However, if it is a well designed piece of equipment, a good training aid will undoubtedly help that hitter get a better feel for what they are doing.
A good baseball batting training aid works because it provides an external feedback that the hitter can feel or see. The hitter uses that feedback to quickly make adjustments in their swing.
We’ve picked out some of our very favorites, that do just that. We’re confident that any one of these five tools in this review will be worth purchasing and will help your hitters get a better feel for their own swing.
Oh, and by the way, these will work as softball hitting training aids as well!
Top 5 Best Baseball Hitting Training Aids for 2019
#5
SwingRail
What is it? – SwingRail was named 2017 ACBA Collegiate Baseball Best in Show. It is made of two pieces. One piece (the rail) straps to your bat, just above your top hand. The other piece (the elastic band) is strapped around the bicep of your back arm near your armpit. The elastic band then slides over the rail to connect the two pieces. When the hitter swings, the elastic band should smoothly slide off of the rail. If the velcro connection is pulled apart during the swing, the hitter knows they are “casting” their hands away from their body.
Why we like it – “Casting” is one of the most common swing flaws among youth hitters. Casting is when a hitter’s hands extend away from their body and over the plate during their swing, creating a long, slow swing that goes around the ball. This product gives immediate external feedback when a hitters hands start to cast away from their body and helps hitters stay inside of the ball.
Pros: Addresses an issue that almost every young hitter has in their swing. Helps create the feel of staying inside of the ball.
Cons: Only recommended for players age 9 and up. One-size-fits all design may create an issue for smaller kids.
Price at time of publication: $29.99 + Shipping
Click Here to Get Swing Rail on Amazon!
#4
Insider Bat
What is it? – The Insider Bat is made of aluminum and steel. The shaft of the bat is bent at a slight angle just above the handle. There is a flat “sweet spot” at the end of the bat where the hitter must make contact. Comes in 2 sizes. Size 06 is designed for players 12 & under. Size 07 is designed for players 12 & up.
Why we like it – It is virtually impossible to make solid contact with certain mechanical flaws. The hitter’s grip, hand, and bath path must be correct to hit a ball solid on the sweet spot.
Pros: One of the most positively reviewed training devices available online. Easy to use. Just pick it up and swing it.
Cons: Cannot be used with hard balls and does not come with any softer balls. You’ll need to purchase them separately. May get boring for a young kid who already struggles with making contact.
Price at time of publication: $49.00 + free shipping
Click Here to get Insider Bat on Amazon!
#3
PowerUp Wedge
What is it? – The PowerUp Wedge a rubber wedge that goes on a hitter’s back foot, and is secured by a one-size fits all velcro strap. It is designed to help a hitter learn to use ground forces and get the proper drive off their back foot.
Why we like it – The term “squish the bug” has been used by coaches for decades, but it actually promotes an inefficient move with the lower body during the swing. With the PowerUp Wedge on, it will be difficult to “squish the bug.” While wearing the wedge, hitters will learn naturally how to transfer more energy from their back side to and through the ball.
Pros: Small and easy to carry with you anywhere. Simplicity in its use. You can put it on and forget about it. Can be used to learn proper use of lower body in throwing as well.
Cons: It takes some care to keep it on your foot. You may need to adjust and tighten it after every few swings.
Price at time of publication: $39.99 + Free Shipping
Click Here to get Power Up Wedge on Amazon!
Axe Bat Speed Trainer
What is it? – The Axe Bat Speed Trainer is actually two different bats. One is barrel-loaded, designed to develop hitters’ strength and power. The other is handle-loaded, designed to develop hitters’ hand and bat speed. You’ll also receive a training program from Driveline Baseball, leaders in data-driven baseball development. The program includes both a 12 week in-season plan and a 12 week out of season plan.
Why we like it – Like weighted ball training for pitching, weighted bat training is becoming increasingly more common at many highly respected training facilities, high schools and colleges, and even with the pros. In fact, over 100 different colleges and pro teams use the very some system that you’ll be receiving if you purchase these trainers! Not only does weighted bat training increase bat speed and exit velocity, it can also help hitters develop better feel of the barrel. Meaning they will square the ball up more often!
Pros: Nothing to put on or attach. Just pick it up and swing it! Proven results with data to back it up. Provided training plans that truly work. One year warranty.
Cons: Pricey. A youth player may outgrow their purchased size quickly if still growing.
Price at time of publication: $299.99 (Youth) + Free Shipping
Click Here to get Axe Bat Speed Trainers on Amazon!
#1
Line Drive Pro Trainer
What is it? – Line Drive Pro Trainer is a device that mounts to the hitter’s bat. It is designed to hold a Line Drive Pro Trainer ball or a tennis ball. When the hitter swings, the ball gets thrown from the device toward a target. The target is sold separately (or you can easily make your own). In order to control where the ball is thrown, hitters must have proper hand and bat path in their swing.
Why we like it – The simplicity is what makes Line Drive Pro Trainer so great. The product allows hitters to be completely natural, and just swing that bat to receive immediate feedback. Nothing is strapped to their body and they get to use their own bat. For coaches, Line Drive Pro Trainer could be an easy, hands-off station at practice that keeps players engaged. Buy or make a target and turn it into a competition. Your players will look forward to using it at every practice. Who doesn’t love a game of target practice?!
Pros: Simple and fun. Great for players of all ages and skill levels. Easy to use and needs little explanation.
Cons: Only comes with 3 balls. May be wise to purchase a bucket of cheap tennis balls to go with product.
Price at time of publication: $49.99 + Free Shipping
Click Here to get Line Drive Pro Trainer on Amazon!
Your hitter in need some additional help? Check out these 5 hand picked, essential hitting drills that any hitter can use to improve!
Do the baseball training aids actually help with footwork and body positioning? Although I don’t play baseball, the training aids look really cool. This could help me but are the training aids used to help me hit more home runs or to just make it easier to make bases loaded? Does the training aid help me hit the baseball in a more circular direction or in a straight line at a higher speed?
Hi Elan, thanks for the question. These particular hitting aids do not focus on footwork or body positioning, per-say. Those two elements are individualized to each player, so I would not recommend a product that forced every hitter to stand the same or move the same way. These batting aids are designed to let players work within their natural movement patterns and learn how to improve through the feedback the training device gives them. These aids, if used properly, could certainly help you hit more line drives and for more power.
I always wished that I had pursued baseball in high school rather than football. As such, I intend to (gently) push my children to explore the joys of ‘America’s Pasttime’ when they get older. While my kids are still younger, I think I’d opt for your #1 choice, but I could see the value of investing in the Axe Bat Speed Trainer once they got more serious about the sport. Do you have personal experience with any of these training tools?
Hi Tucker, thanks for sharing. Wish you good luck with getting your kids on board with baseball! Some kids just gravitate to it, but it’s not for everyone. I do have personal experience with the Line Drive Pro and the Power Up Wedge. Both are great tools to use, and my hitters have responded well to them.
Hi Ryan!
I cannot be the only one who thinks the Line Drive Pro Trainer would just be fun to have with your friends?! I can see a Saturday night, some food and drink, a giant target and scoreboard..
I digress. This seems like a pretty good list addressing a variety of ways batters can improve, but how do you know which is best for your particular player? I mean, I know my kid needs help, but I don’t know what he is doing when he swings that needs correcting. Would his coach know?
Hi Kristin,
I never thought of that! If you try it, just be careful. Too many drinks and swinging a baseball bat might be a dangerous combo 🙂
I think your kid’s coach may be able to help. Ask his coach if he can identify any problems with his swing, then letme know. I’d be happy to steer you in the right direction.
Awesome article
This is really a refreshing piece information about baseball hitting training. I really love the way you outline the review on th five best baseball hitting training aids. Thanks for shedding light on difference between exit velocity and bat velocity. I must say this is an eye opener. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Michael. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Come back and check the site out in the future!
Hi Ryan: what do you think about the powerchute? Do you think that would help build bat speed and correct my 12 yr old’s sweeping swing?
Hi Vishal. Yes, the Powerchute is a great way for hitters to learn proper mechanics naturally. The resistance felt from the chute will help your son’s body figure out how to organize its movements so that his swing works in a more connected fashion, possibly eliminating that sweeping motion you mentioned. Thanks for reading, and let me know if you have any other questions!
Here’s a link to purchase the Powerchute: https://amzn.to/2Vf3bEQ
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You reviewed all the training aids amazingly. Can I use a line pro drive trainer for my 10 years old?
Thank you, Abhishek! Yes, you sure can. I’m sure he will enjoy using it. It’s really like a game wrapped up within a hitting trainer.
I like the PowerUp Wedge
Yep, definitely helps hitters get their back side going!
Hi, I have a quick question. Do you have any interest in evaluating a new idea for batting practice currently not on the market ? Thanks Paul
Hi Paul,
Yes, I’d love to help! You can send me info at rpbasham@gmail.com