BRUCE BOLT BLOG

Understanding Pine Tar and Its Uses in Baseball When and Why to Remove Pine Tar from Your Bat Step-by-Step Methods to Remove Pine Tar Preventative Measures and Proper Pine Tar Application Getting a Better Grip With the Help of BRUCE BOLT The Short Answer: To remove pine tar from a bat, use isopropyl alcohol, mineral spirits, or specialized bat cleaners with a soft cloth. For tough pine tar buildup, gentle heat can help loosen the sticky substance before wiping it away. Understanding Pine Tar and Its Uses in Baseball What Is Pine Tar, and Why Do Players Use It? Pine...

The Science Behind Pitching Velocity Essential Plyometric Workouts for Pitchers Medicine Ball and Resistance Training Building a Complete Velocity Training Program How BRUCE BOLT Can Help The Short Answer: To increase pitching velocity, pitchers should focus on plyometric exercises like box jumps and split squat jumps, medicine ball throws for rotational power, long toss programs that gradually increase distance, and targeted strength training that builds power throughout the kinetic chain while maintaining arm health. Every baseball player dreams of lighting up the radar gun. Adding just a few mph can be the difference between a college scholarship and being overlooked,...

Perfecting Swing Mechanics The Importance of Pitch Recognition & Reaction Time Drills + Training Strategies for Better Performance How BRUCE BOLT Can Help The Short Answer: Becoming a better baseball hitter requires mastering five key elements: proper stance and grip, efficient swing mechanics, good pitch recognition, consistent practice with quality drills, and using the right equipment. By focusing on these fundamentals and training regularly, any player can significantly improve their performance at the plate. Every baseball player wants to improve their batting average and make more solid contact. Whether you're a young player just starting or looking to take your...

The Rise and Fall (and Rise?) of the Hitting Pitcher The All-Time Greatest Hitting Pitchers How BRUCE BOLT Can Help the Next Generation of Two-Way Players The Short Answer: The best hitting pitchers of all time are... Walter Johnson (1907-1927) Babe Ruth (1914-1935) Wes Ferrell (1927-1941) Don Newcombe (1949-1960) Bob Gibson (1959-1975) Mike Hampton (1993-2010) Carlos Zambrano (2001-2012) Micah Owings (2007-2012) Madison Bumgarner (2009-present) Shohei Ohtani (2018-present) Throughout baseball history, certain pitchers have defied expectations by excelling not just on the mound but in the batter's box as well. These rare talents brought extra value to their teams by contributing...

Fastball Grips: The Foundation of Your Pitching Arsenal Breaking and Off-Speed Pitch Grips: Adding Deception to Your Arsenal Protecting Your Arm While Mastering Pitch Grips Mastering different pitch grips is the key to expanding your arsenal on the mound. Whether you're developing your first breaking pitch or trying to perfect an off-speed offering, how you hold the baseball directly impacts its movement, velocity, and effectiveness. Learning proper finger placement on the seams gives you the tools to keep batters guessing and elevate your pitching skills to the next level. The Short Answer: The main pitch grips every baseball pitcher should...

Average Softball Pitch Speeds at Different Levels How to Improve Your Pitch Speed How BRUCE BOLT Can Help You Take Your Game to the Next Level   The Short Answer: The average D1 softball pitch speed is around 63 miles per hour or faster, with top players reaching speeds in the mid-to-high 60s. In softball, pitch speed can make all the difference for a good high school or youth player looking to take their game to D1. If you are one of those athletes, understanding what speeds are expected at Division 1 programs is an important first step. Whether you're...