Congratulations on the new bat! We know the thrill of getting a new Phoenix Bat, but we also recognize the importance of maintaining it in its great condition. We provide the finest in the industry and want to ensure every player can use it as long as they can.
Dos and Don'ts
To begin, we’re going to talk about some fundamental guidelines when caring for your wood bat.
DON’T:
- Throw your wood bat. Tossing your bat after hitting the ball is fine, but these bats were not meant to be thrown.
- Use batting cage dimpled balls. These balls can have damaging effects and we suggest using a different bat when practicing in the cages.
- Use the bat to knock dirt off your cleats. This can damage the bat.
- Get your bat wet. When water gets into the bat, it can warp or rot.
DO:
- Limit the amount of use of your wood bat. Use a different bat for batting cage practice, or rotate which bat you use between games.
- Keep the bat logo pointed at the sky when swinging (will dive more into this later).
- Clean your bat on a regular basis.
- Store your bat in a cool, dry place.
Hitting with your wood bat
Learning the proper technique for hitting with your Phoenix Bat is crucial. These bats have both a strong and weak side to them. We’ve strategically placed our Phoenix logo on the weak side, so you don’t scuff up the lettering.
If you continuously hit with the weak side of the bat, eventually it will break. To hit it on the strong side, you want that logo facing straight up at the sky or straight down at the ground.
To make sure you’re hitting the ball right each time, you should carefully watch your stance and grip before each swing. Here’s what we recommend:
- Get in your stance and take a slow swing.
- Hold your swing over the plate.
- Look down at your bat to see if you can see the logo.
- Rotate the bat in your hands until the logo is pointing straight up or straight down.
- Return back to your stance.
Storing your wood bat
After a long day of swinging your brand new wooden bat, where is the best place to store it? As mentioned above, storing your bat in a cool, dry place is best. Wood bats should not be stored in very hot or cold places. Why? Wood is porous and fibrous, which makes it more vulnerable to environmental conditions.
Moisture in the air, like on an extremely hot day, can warp your bat and cause damage. On the contrary, dry air can also negatively affect your bat. By pulling moisture out of the bat, dry air leaves it brittle, which leads to breaking. If you leave your bat exposed to the elements throughout the year—even if it’s in a bag—the continuous changes in moisture will diminish the structural integrity of your bat. It will eventually decrease in accuracy and power.
So where’s a good spot? We suggest taking your bat indoors (the garage does not count) after each time outside. Store the bat vertically, with the handle end up. A corner in your room or closet are great places to lean your bat against a wall.
Cleaning wood bats with color or clear coat
Many hitters like to keep their finished wood bat clean so that they can see where on the bat they’re hitting the ball. If you can see where you’re hitting the ball after every BP, you can make better adjustments the next time out.
If you’re one of those types of hitters, we advise using Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar to wipe off the marks using a dry, lint-free cloth. First, spray the Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar on the cloth, then wipe the marks in the same direction as the wood grain. Immediately use another clean, lint-free cloth and wipe off the bat until dry.
While there is no foolproof method to completely remove the marks without the possibility of marring the finish, our testing has shown that this technique is the most effective in reducing that risk.
Once the ball marks are out, take a spray can of clear semi-gloss polyurethane and lightly spray the barrel of your wooden bat. Hang the bat from the knob on the handle and let the bat dry. You will be able to see how you are hitting the ball from game to game.
WARNING: This cleaning method with Windex Multi-Surface Vinegar is only applicable to areas of that bat that have a finish. It is not for use on natural (unfinished) wood or bats that do not have a clear coat over a colored finish. Using any cleaning product may dull some of the color or shine of the finish.
Cleaning wood bats with natural finish
If you own a natural wood bat, you can attempt to remove ball marks by using a very fine-grit sandpaper (200 grit or finer) to sand them lightly, moving the sandpaper in the direction of the wood grain. It’s critical to avoid going over engraved areas and the Phoenix logo.
We also recommend using a piece of bone, another wood bat, or even a rolling pin to get rid of scrapes and scratches. When rubbed against the wooden bat, they help smooth out the rough spots.
NOTICE: Our legal team tells us we need to state that Phoenix Bats is not responsible for the results of above methods to clean and/or restore the finish to your bat. Pressure used, different cleaners and other considerations may yield different results.
Phoenix Bats is your home for wood bats
Check out Phoenix Bats’ line of baseball bats, softball bats, youth bats, and training bats—all made in our shop in Columbus, Ohio. If you need help picking out the perfect bat, call us at (614) 873-7776.