Whether you are a baseball coach in school, you are just starting to play softball, or you want to get your kids into the spirit of such sports, a fungo bat is a must.
It is excellent to practice and can make your life easier. If you watch MLB highlights and training, you might have seen coaches using such bats.
Now, just like regular baseball bats, fungo bats are not equal, and this is when picking the right one becomes challenging.
My first bat was far from being the best, but back then, I had no clue I could research online, look for reviews, and so on. It was just a random decision that ruined it for me…
By today, I have tried the best fungo bats on the market. I have trialed, used, and owned some of the best-rated options out there.
If you feel confused, this guide will give you everything you need for a good final decision.
Image (click on it to zoom)
Product
Best for
Price
Check The Price
Rawlings Maple
Best for Control
$$
Louisville Slugger K100
Best for Value for Money
$
Easton F4 Aluminum
Best for Durability and Strength
$$
Mizuno Pro
Best for Good-Looking Design
$$
Bamboobat by Pinnacle Sports Equipment Inc.
Best for Light Training
$$
Table of Contents
Here are some of my best recommendations when looking for top fungo bats. These are not just my favorites, but some of the fungo bats come with the highest amounts of reviews, as well as positive ratings. So, what options do you have?
Rawlings may not need too many presentations when it comes to baseball equipment. You might have seen the brand before, especially if you watch the MLB.
Let me make it clear by saying Rawlings is just as good at creating fungo bats.
This unit will not disappoint you. It comes in a few different sizes, 34 and 37 inches. Rawlings recommends the smaller size for infield players and the large one for outfielders.
It is also available in about 10 different designs and color combinations.
Moving on to quality and performance, the fungo bat is based on maple wood. It can take some abuse without showing any signs of wear and tear.
It also features a generous sweet spot. The 2.25-inch barrel offers a massive sweet spot for easy hits.
Back to what makes this bat stand out, the control… You have a cupped barrel that changes the design a little.
But at the same time, despite being based on wood, the bat is extremely lightweight and will let you swing as if you held nothing in your hands.
The bat is also suitable for softball.
Pros
Great for control
Solid wood design
Durable construction
Large sweet spot
Plenty of different colors
Cons
It feels lightweight and fragile but will last for ages
Louisville Slugger K100 is not the most advanced and professional unit on the market, but it will get the job done in school or individually. It is not the most expensive one either.
Since it can provide a few professional qualities at such a good price, it offers excellent value for money.
The bat is based on northern white ash, which is known for its strength and durability. On the inside, the bat has a foam core to prevent the wood from splitting, but also to keep the weight down.
It is very light and comes with a unique end-weight design to provide both speed and distance.
Available in a 36-inch size, the bat is slightly longer than average, making the training experience a breeze. You can hit countless balls without feeling any fatigue or tiredness.
The performance grade ash will also stand the test of time.
In terms of design and appearance, the bat has a natural wood finish, without any fancy or posh colors. It is defined by performance and simplicity over posh graphics.
It is quite versatile and can be used to train both infielders and outfielders.
Furthermore, you can use it for softball as well.
Pros
Good value for money
Good distance shots
Excellent speed
Attractive natural finish
Versatile
Cons
The grip is not perfect and could do with some sanding or grip tape
Based on aluminum, there are no issues with the weight when it comes to this fungo bat. It feels like air, honestly. If you have used regular bats before, make sure you start low, or the bat might fly out of your hands.
It feels solid, but this is what aluminum is like.
Easton is one of the top sports equipment manufacturers when it comes to baseball, so you know for a fact that this bat will not let you down.
It has a very thin handle, so it is suitable for players of all ages. Even a kid can hold it well and make some good shots.
Newbies are more likely to put in more energy when hitting balls, and fungo bats make it a bit unusual because they are too light.
To ensure the bat does not fly out, Easton has brought in a professional tapered grip. The bat feels great, but it will not slip out either, even with sweaty hands.
The bat is suitable for both infield and outfield training. It measures 35 inches in length and weighs 22 ounces only.
Despite the extra length, it is well-balanced and provides excellent control. It makes an excellent addition to every coach out there.
As for design, it only comes in a black and yellow color combination.
I know exactly what you are thinking, no one really cares about the appearance of a fungo bat. After all, while people can appreciate good looks, performance actually makes a difference.
While this bat stands out with its design, trust me, it can perform just as well.
Designed by one of the premium sports equipment manufacturers out there, this is one of the best fungo bats in terms of versatility.
You can use it to train more positions in baseball, but you can also use it in softball. Practically, it is great for infielders, but also outfielders.
The bat is extremely lightweight, regardless of which size you purchase. Talking about sizes, it comes in two different options, 35 inches, and 37 inches.
The difference is quite significant, and it depends on your training style. All I can say is the 37-inch size sells better.
Now, back to what drew my attention in the first place, the appearance. The bat comes in three color combinations, and each of them features a high gloss finish.
It is the type of finish you would find in premium furniture.
As you might have guessed already, this bat is made of wood.
This is one of the best fungo bats for home use. Basically, it is great if you teach your little one how to play baseball or softball.
It is excellent if they already play in school, but they could do with some extra training in the park too.
The bat is suitable for individual uses, rather than professional uses.
With all these, the specifications make it suitable for many other uses. It is incredibly lightweight and flexible. After all, it is based on bamboo, which has a reputation.
The ball will fly away with no effort whatsoever.
I recommend it to individual uses mostly because of its lightweight profile, though. It simply feels fragile, yet we all know that bamboo is a high-quality wood.
The manufacturer also claims to mix different types of bamboo to reach the perfect density and durability.
While wood is often considered a fragile material in fungo bats, bamboo stands out with its durability and strength.
Other than that, the bat comes in a bunch of different colors and combinations, but only one size, 34 inches.
Pros
Feels super lightweight
Excellent for home or light training
Multiple colors
Durable bamboo
Good grip
Cons
Despite being bamboo, it feels a bit fragile for intense training
What Is a Fungo Bat?
To keep it simple, a fungo bat is basically a training bat. It allows hitting balls for hours with little to no discomfort at all. It is obviously lighter than a traditional baseball bat, hence its popularity in training. Every coach out there has one.
Fungo bats help players improve their skills. They are suitable to train both infielders and outfielders.
As a coach or parent, you will basically hit balls one after another to train your student on positioning and fielding.
Fungo bats tend to be quite long, but they also have thin barrels. Some of them are based on aluminum, while others are based on hollow wood. Basically, it could have a soft foam core.
The idea is to keep the light down. This type of design helps with precision as well.
You probably ask yourself, why are they called fungo bats? Why not training bats? There are more theories regarding the name, some of them related to older games.
The most credible one is based on Scottish origins and a word that means to pitch or fling.
After all, fungo bats are meant to do that.
Differences Between a Regular Bat and a Fungo Bat
If you look at baseball bats and fungo bats, they look identical. Sure, there might be slight differences in the size here and there, but it looks like you could use any of them to train or perhaps to play.
With all these, there are quite a few notable differences. The actual construction is what changes the purpose of the bat, as well as the overall performance.
Compared to a traditional baseball bat, a fungo bat is a bit longer. Normally, a few inches, so not a lot. Regular baseball bats are usually up to 34 inches in length.
Fungo bats, on the other hand, can reach between 34 and 37 inches in length. It depends on what positions they are meant to train.
Despite being longer in size, fungo bats are actually lighter. They rarely get over 22 ounces in weight. Some of them can be as light as 17 ounces. It depends on what they are made of.
Regular baseball bats for adults weigh more than that and can reach up to 31 ounces.
The lightweight profile is given by its purpose. Fungo bats are designed for coaches or trainers. When you hit countless balls for hours, you need something light.
There is a noticeable difference in the barrel too. A fungo bat will have a longer and thinner barrel, usually about 2.25 inches in size. Its purpose is to boost control.
The swing is fast because of the weight, while the sweet spot ensures accuracy and consistency.
Other than that, there are no differences between fungo and regular bats. They look pretty much the same.
Choosing the Best Fungo Bat – Our Buying Guide
Browsing through fungo bats will give you a bunch of products that look similar in size, weight, and design, yet there are small particularities that can make the difference.
Choosing one of the most popular fungo bats on the market is not everything. You also need to consider your goals and priorities. Here are a few other considerations.
Material
Fungo bats come in a few different options, metal, and wood.
Metal bats are usually based on aluminum for a lightweight profile. They can take lots of abuse, and they can also recover if not stored properly.
With all these, it looks like professional trainers tend to choose the stability of wood. It provides more control, and it has a nice sound, rather than a metallic ping.
Also, if you choose wood, make sure you double-check what type of wood it is. Some types of wood are more durable than others.
Besides, wood is heavier, so the bat may have a soft core.
Unlike aluminum, wood is also more likely to crack.
Purpose
Now, who are you training? Why do you need a fungo bat? Some brands make general fungo bats for all positions, suitable for both infielders and outfielders.
Some other brands go a bit into smaller details, meaning their bats are differently sized based on what position you train.
For instance, a lower size is more suitable for infielders, while a long bat will hit further and can train outfielders.
I believe you can train both categories of players with the same size, and you do not necessarily need to go into such small details.
Price
When it comes to the price, quality fungo bats go in the same price range, so there will not be too much of a difference there. They range between $60 and $80.
You can also find slightly cheaper bats, and while many of them are quite bad, some of them offer a pretty good value for money.
In my opinion, going over $100 is just not worth it for a training bat. Since quality bats are similar in price, I would not make this decision with the budget in mind.
Best Fungo Bat – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best size for a fungo bat?
It depends on what positions you train. Infielders can be easily trained with the shortest variety, while outfielders can do with the longer one. To train both infielders and outfielders, go for a middle size, around 36 inches in length. It is more cost-efficient than buying two different bats.
Why do coaches tape their fungo?
Most commonly, coaches tape wood fungo bats because they are thin and long, meaning they take more stress than regular bats. Taping a fungo bat will add to its protection, as wood tends to split at the grains. Some coaches only tape the handle, but this is only if the grip is not good enough.
Who invented the fungo bat?
No one can really tell who created the first fungo bat. Everyone can agree that the word has been around since the 1800s, but both historians and fans find it difficult to determine the creator. There are even a few different theories about the origins of the word.
The Verdict
These are some of the best fungo bats on the market, and for some good reasons. Which one is more suitable for you? It depends on your actual needs and priorities.
If you want excellent control and consistency throughout your training sessions, Rawlings Maple is one of the best options on the market.
If you are after durability, Easton F4 Aluminum is more likely to impress with its metallic construction.
