Taping an aluminum baseball bat handle provides you with more grip to help control your bat as you swing at and hit a baseball. Grip tape comes in a variety of materials and designs. Some tapes offer cushioning while others feature an artistic design when properly wrapped around the bat handle. Without grip tape, the bat could rotate freely in your hands, and sweat could cause you to lose your grip on the bat during the swing, allowing it to fly from your grip.
Step 1
Remove the original grip tape from your aluminum bat handle. Use a utility knife to cut the existing grip from the bat. Do not damage the handle beneath the tape.
Step 2
Clean the aluminum bat handle with an adhesive remover once you remove the tape. Spray the remover on the adhesive residue and allow it to penetrate the adhesive for one or two minutes. Wipe the bat handle with a paper towel.
Step 3
Measure the distance from the knob of the bat to a length no more than the maximum length allowed by your league's rules for the length of your grip tape. Make a mark on the handle where you wish to end your grip tape.
Step 4
Hold the bat with the knob pointing up. Support the bat between your knees to keep it stable. Peel the backing from the end of the grip tape and begin wrapping the replacement grip tape around your aluminum bat where the knob meets the handle. Not all grip tape has a backing that needs removing.
Step 5
Make one complete horizontal wrap around the circumference of your aluminum bat handle. Begin diagonally spiral-wrapping the handle with the grip tape. Each wrap of the tape should overlap the previous wrap, leaving none of the original handle exposed.
Step 6
Wrap the grip tape around the bat until you reach the mark you made on the handle. Secure the grip tape to the handle by making one or two horizontal wraps of electrical tape around your final, top wrap of grip tape.
Tips and Warnings
- Check with your baseball or softball league for the rules regarding the amount of the handle that you can cover legally with tape. NCAA baseball rules allow up to 18 inches of grip tape on the aluminum bat handle.
Things You'll Need
- Utility knife
- Adhesive remover
- Tape measure
- Replacement grip tape
- Electrical tape
Member Comments