In baseball, every small adjustment can make a big difference in performance. Youth baseball coach and former MLB player Matt Antonelli had his son, Matty, put the VELO Puck knob to the test on his Easton Hypefire baseball bat. The results were impressive, with Matty noticing a substantial change in his swing and how the bat felt.
Matty's Experience with the VELO Puck
After hitting several balls with the VELO Puck attached to his bat, Matty reported that the barrel of his bat felt considerably lighter - “7x lighter” was Matty’s very scientific conclusion. Matty was swinging faster and hit several high exit velocities.
The VELO Puck knob's design is intended to shift the bat's center of mass closer to the hands, which makes the bat feel lighter. This subtle change can lead to faster bat speeds as we saw during Matty’s test.
What is the VELO Puck?
The VELO Puck is an advanced baseball bat knob designed to create a more balanced bat while improving swing speed, launch angle, and exit velo. The knob is engineered to be added to the end of any bat, where it changes the bat's weight distribution. By shifting the center of mass closer to the hands, the VELO Puck effectively makes the bat feel lighter during the swing. This can help players generate greater bat speed, leading to more powerful hits.
The Science Behind the VELO Puck
The design of the VELO Puck is rooted in physics. When a player swings a bat, the distribution of mass affects the moment of inertia, which is the resistance to rotational acceleration. A bat with more weight towards the end has a higher moment of inertia, making it harder to swing quickly. By moving the mass closer to the hands, the VELO Puck lowers the moment of inertia, allowing the player to swing the bat faster without sacrificing control.
This innovation is based on the concept of "puck knobs," which have been in used in professional baseball for quite some time. The VELO Puck brings that same MLB proven puck knob technology to any bat.
The Impact on Youth Baseball
The application of the VELO Puck in youth baseball is particularly exciting. Young players often struggle with the weight and balance of their bats, which can hinder their ability to develop a powerful, consistent swing. The VELO Puck offers a simple solution to this problem, helping young athletes like Matty Antonelli maximize their potential on the field.
Matty's experience shows that even small adjustments, like the addition of the VELO Puck, can have a big impact on a player's swing. As more players and coaches discover the benefits of this innovative tool, we can expect to see it become a staple in baseball training at all levels.
The VELO Puck is currently approved for in-game use by USSSA, Perfect Game, NABF, with more organizations coming soon.
Conclusion
The VELO Puck is more than just a bat knob; it's a game-changing innovation that can help players of all ages and skill levels enhance their performance. Matty Antonelli's experience is a powerful example of how this tool can make the bat feel lighter and enable faster swings, leading to harder hits and greater success at the plate. Whether you're a youth player just starting out or a seasoned pro looking to gain an edge, the VELO Puck is worth a try.