What exactly IS the V-Grip™ ?
The V-Grip™ is a newly engineered way of making baseball and softball bats. The most prominent difference is the handle, which is shaped in such a way that it forces the hitter to have the correct batting grip – with “knocker knuckles” aligned. A more detailed description of the V-Grip™ technology can be found here.
Did Don Mattingly really invent the V-Grip™?
Yes. While teaching his sons how to get the proper grip on a baseball bat, Don Mattingly came up with the idea of re-shaping the handle in a way that kept the palm off and forced the knocker knuckles to align properly. He took his design to Mattingly Sports co-founder Jim Wells, and together they developed the V-Grip™.
Are V-Grip Bats only for training or can they be used in games?
Mattingly V-Grip™ bats are approved for game play by nearly all amateur national baseball and softball organizations, including (but not limited to) Little League®,Cal Ripken/ Babe Ruth League® NCAA® NFHS® AABC® Pony® Dixie Youth® ASA® USSSA® and NSA®. If you are unsure, find out what official rules your league plays under, then check the approved bat list of that sanctioning body – you can probably find the answer very quickly using the internet.
OK, I’m sold on the V-Grip™ handle – but what about the bat itself?
All Mattingly bats are made with the highest quality materials and rigorously tested for optimum performance and durability. Visit the Products Page to learn more about each bat’s quality.
Are Mattingly bats less durable because you can’t rotate them to distribute hits around the barrel?
Great question. All Mattingly bats are designed to provide equal or better durability than our competitors equivalent bats -- including the V-Grip™ handle and its consistent hitting surface. Mattingly Sports utilizes extensive testing, including countless hours on the field to insure we meet this goal.
A few points to consider:
The strength of the barrel of the bat is not provided just by the 1-2 inch area of contact immediately under the ball. In a well designed bat, much of the strength of the barrel is provided by the entire cross-section. If you were to watch the bat-ball collision in slow-motion, you would see the whole cross-section of the bat flex into the shape of an oval and then rebound back into its original round shape.
Also, in routine play, ball impacts with the barrel are distributed across a fairly broad area. While Mattingly’s V-Grip™ technology helps improve swing mechanics for a more consistent swing, there is still a broad distribution of impacts due to pitch location, angle of impact, etc.
Finally, what matters most is our record of durability on the field. Our baseball and softball bats have been used at all levels (including Pro-fastpitch X-treme Tour!), in daily practice and regular game play with no durability issues.
Our players and coaches have confirmed that our V-Grip™ bats exceed the durability they experienced with their previous brand of round-handle bats. We also test extensively in batting cages. The cage is a demanding environment for bats. The owner and head instructor of Triple Play Baseball in Bridgeport, CT says it best: "In my 17 years experience of coaching and professional training, the V-Grip™ bat is in my opinion the best bat I have ever seen! Players have taken thousands of swings and no loss of pop ... I only recommend one bat company now and that’s Mattingly."
How does the V-Grip™ improve bat speed?
The V-Grip™ technology ensures proper hand placement on the bat, and proper hand placement maximizes the strength generated by the whole body through the swing. Using the V-Grip™ technology will help to align and level your hands and body for the shortest swing with maximum speed.
Professional Fastpitch Softball Player Tina Boutelle states, "Once I started using the Beast, not only did my power increase but my batting average did as well! All my girls I give lessons to LOVE the V-grip and style of the Beast bat."
Is the V-Grip™ available on other bats?
No. This patented V-Grip™ technology is available exclusively for Mattingly bats.
Will the V-Grip™ change my hand position?
Maybe. If you’re not already using the proper grip, then the V-Grip™ will reposition the bat handle out of your palm and into your fingers – the most efficient placement for hitting.
How does the V-Grip™ improve my batting technique?
- The world’s first bat on the market with patent V-Grip™ technology actually enabling you to deliver on the sweet spot.
- Our V-Grip™ technology helps generate additional bat head speed, by placing your hands into position for optimum performance. Faster bat speed equals more time to wait on a pitch and more distance on balls hit – so both your batting average AND your power can improve by using a V-Grip™ bat.
- Don Mattingly personal batting tips and techniques –Tips are included with every product you purchase and if you sign up at www.mattinglybaseball.com you can find the answers to most of your batting questions.
What is Mattingly Sport’s warranty policy?
Mattingly Sports has a one-year, one-time limited non-wood bat warranty which can be found here.
How do I return a defective bat?
Bat returns are handled by following the directions found here.
How do I choose the right sized bat?
Because everyone is different, the best way to determine which bat is best is to have the player pick it up and swing it. Generally speaking, the younger the player the lighter the bat (higher “drop”). Once a player has matured into the teens, he or she will likely want to choose his/her own bat, and depending on the league rules will probably have to choose one with a lower drop (-3 is standard for high school). For baseball youths, you can follow these guidelines, but keep in mind that youngsters vary in size, strength, and comfort level:
| Division |
Age |
Bat Length |
Weight |
| T-ball |
5-7 |
24” to 26” |
10 or lighter |
| Farm |
7-8 |
26” to 27” |
10 or lighter |
| Jr. Minors |
8-9 |
27” to 29” |
10 or lighter |
| Sr. Minors |
9-12 |
28” to 31” |
10 or lighter |
| Majors |
10-12 |
29” to 32” |
10 or lighter |
To find the correct bat length for your softball-playing daughter, have her stand straight up with her arms to the side. Place a ruler to her side with the start of the ruler (the "0" mark) on the ground. Read the measurement at the end of her wrist, just where the hand meets the forearm. As a general rule, this measurement indicates the perfect bat length for her.
What does “weight drop” ( -3, -5, -10, etc.) mean and which one is best?
The “drop” – that negative number displayed on the bat barrel – is the difference between the length and weight of the bat. To give you an idea, a 32-inch bat with a -3 drop is 29 ounces. In many leagues, the drop parameters are defined, so you may want to check the rules governing your league. For example, in High School Baseball and NCAA, the maximum “drop” is -3.
Which “drop” is best depends entirely on the player and the league in which he/she participates. Generally speaking, effectiveness is reliant on the player’s strength, swing, and comfort – though physics suggests that a player should use the heaviest bat possible while retaining highest bat speed. Younger players tend to be more comfortable swinging bats with higher drops (i.e., -10) , but again, it’s up to the individual.
How can I clean my bat? I heard car wax is good to keep it shiny.
First of all, don’t EVER apply car wax or any other substance to your bat (other than pine tar, and only on the handle) – it would be considered tampering and the umpire can remove it from the game. When you feel it is necessary to clean your bat, simply wipe it with a soft rag moistened with a bit of water.
