Top 5 Best Fungo Bats for Baseball in 2023 (The Ultimate Guide)

Are you a baseball coach looking for the best fungo bats to improve your team’s fielding and hitting skills? Look no further! Fungo bats are an essential tool for any baseball coach, and choosing the right one can make a significant difference in the quality of your team’s practice sessions. A good fungo bat should be lightweight, well-balanced, and durable enough to withstand frequent use.

In this article, we will explore some of the best fungo bats for baseball on the market, their unique features, and what to consider when selecting the perfect one for your team. Whether you’re a seasoned coach or a beginner, this guide will help you choose the right fungo bat that will take your team’s performance to the next level.

Top 5 Best Fungo Bats for Baseball in 2023

1. Rawlings Maple FUNGO Bat

The Rawlings Maple FUNGO Bat is the perfect tool for coaches and parents who are looking to improve their players’ defensive skills through game-like practice reps. Made from high-quality maple wood, this bat is designed to withstand extended and repeated use, making it a reliable addition to any team’s training equipment.

The bat’s cupped barrel design provides supreme control, allowing for an ultra-lightweight feel that enhances a player’s precision and accuracy. The generous 2 ¼” barrel also provides a large sweet spot, helping players to maintain consistency in their swings and making it easier to connect with the ball.

With a length of 37″, this bat is specifically designed for outfield training, although it is also available in a 34″ size for infield training. The black and natural color scheme gives it a classic, timeless look that is sure to appeal to players of all levels and ages.

Whether you’re a seasoned coach or a parent looking to help your child improve their skills, the Rawlings Maple FUNGO Bat is an excellent choice. Its solid construction and thoughtful design makes it a reliable and effective training tool for players at all skill levels, from beginners to advanced athletes. So why wait? Invest in this high-quality training bat today and start taking your team’s defensive skills to the next level!

Pros:

Durable: Made from high-quality maple wood, this bat is designed to withstand extended, repeated use, making it a reliable and long-lasting addition to any team’s training equipment.
Enhanced Control: The cupped barrel design of the Rawlings Maple FUNGO Bat provides supreme control, allowing for an ultra-lightweight feel that enhances a player’s precision and accuracy.

Large Sweet Spot: With a generous 2 ¼” barrel, this bat provides a large sweet spot that helps players maintain consistency in their swings and make it easier to connect with the ball.

Cons:

Size Limitations: While this bat is available in two sizes (34″ and 37″), it may not be suitable for all players, particularly those who require a longer or shorter bat.

Limited Sports Use: While the Rawlings Maple FUNGO Bat is designed for use in baseball and softball training, it may not be suitable for other sports, limiting its versatility for those who require equipment for multiple sports.

2. DeMarini Fungodelic Pro Maple Wood Fungo Bat

The DeMarini Fungodelic Pro Maple Wood Fungo Bat is the perfect tool for baseball coaches looking to enhance their team’s infield and outfield drills. This bat is designed with a composite frame for durability and a wood barrel for a traditional fungo feel, making it the ultimate choice for coaches who want to improve their team’s fielding skills.

With a 35-inch length and an end-loaded design, this bat is perfect for hitting ground balls and fly balls. The end-loaded design provides added weight in the barrel, allowing coaches to hit the ball farther and with more accuracy.

The DeMarini Fungodelic Pro Maple Wood Fungo Bat is made from pro maple wood, ensuring durability and long-lasting performance. The composite frame adds an extra layer of strength, making this bat ideal for everyday use.

This bat has a -12 drop and an end-loaded barrel load, providing coaches with the power and control they need to hit accurate and precise shots. The turn model is specifically designed for fungo hitting, making this bat perfect for coaches who want to enhance their team’s fielding skills.

While wood bats typically come with a warranty or guarantee, the DeMarini Fungodelic Pro Maple Wood Fungo Bat carries no warranty or guarantee. However, with its superior design and high-quality materials, this bat is sure to provide coaches with the performance and durability they need to take their team to the next level.

Pros:

Durable Construction: The bat’s composite frame and pro maple wood barrel provide a sturdy and durable build that can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use.
Traditional Feel: The use of a wood barrel provides a traditional fungo bat feel, which is ideal for coaches who want to replicate game-like scenarios in their drills.

Endloaded Design: The bat’s end-loaded design provides added weight in the barrel, which can help coaches hit ground balls and fly balls with greater accuracy and distance.

Cons:

No Warranty: Unlike many other baseball bats, the DeMarini Fungodelic Pro Maple Wood Fungo Bat does not come with a warranty or guarantee, which could be a concern for some buyers.

Limited Use: This bat is specifically designed for fungo hitting and may not be suitable for other types of batting practice, which could limit its usefulness for some coaches.

3. Brett Bros Maple Wood Fungo Baseball Bat

The Brett Bros Maple Wood Fungo Baseball Bat is a great option for coaches who want a light bat to hit fly balls or ground balls to their players. The bat measures 36 inches in length and weighs approximately 20 ounces. The length and weight of the bat make it easy for coaches to swing and control while hitting balls to infielders or outfielders.

The bat is cut from durable rock maple wood, which is a hard and dense material that makes it resistant to breaking or cracking. The uncupped barrel end allows for a larger sweet spot and helps to distribute weight evenly throughout the bat. The traditional knob shape ensures a comfortable grip and helps to prevent the bat from slipping out of the coach’s hand during use.

The Brett Bros Maple Wood Fungo Baseball Bat is available in eight different barrel colors: black, brown, forest green, navy, orange, purple, red, and royal blue. This variety of colors allows coaches to choose a bat that matches their team’s colors or their personal preference.

Taping the barrel can help to extend the life of the bat and protect it from wear and tear. This bat is designed to create a light-feeling bat, making it easy for coaches to hit a high number of fly balls or ground balls to their players.

Pros:

Lightweight Design: The Brett Bros Maple Wood Fungo Baseball Bat is designed to be lightweight, making it easy for coaches to swing and control while hitting balls to their players.
Durable Material: The bat is cut from durable rock maple wood, which is known for its hardness and density, making it resistant to breaking or cracking.
Variety of Colors: The bat comes in eight different barrel colors, allowing coaches to choose a color that matches their team’s colors or their personal preference.

Cons:

Limited Use: This bat is designed specifically for hitting fly balls or ground balls to players during practice or warm-up, so it may not be suitable for actual game use.
Price: As a specialized bat, the Brett Bros Maple Wood Fungo Baseball Bat may be more expensive than other bats that can be used for both practice and games.

4. Louisville Slugger K100 Ash Wood Fungo Bat

The Louisville Slugger K100 Ash Wood Fungo Bat is an essential tool for coaches looking to improve their team’s fielding skills. Made from high-quality Northern White Ash, this wood fungo bat is built with a foam core, making it lightweight and easy to handle. With its end-weight design, you’ll be able to hit fly balls and ground balls with more speed and distance with each swing.

The K100 turning model is a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of Louisville Slugger. The bat’s natural finish highlights the wood’s natural grain and texture, giving it a timeless look that any coach would be proud to carry onto the field. At 36 inches in length, it’s the perfect size for coaches of all heights to use comfortably.

This wood fungo bat is specifically designed for use in baseball, making it an excellent choice for coaches who want to help their players hone their fielding skills. Its performance-grade ash wood construction makes it durable and long-lasting, while its lighter weight ensures that coaches can use it for extended periods without feeling fatigued.

The Louisville Slugger K100 Ash Wood Fungo Bat is perfect for coaches who are looking to improve their players’ fielding skills. Its high-quality construction and excellent performance make it a top choice for coaches everywhere. So if you’re looking for a reliable and durable wood fungo bat, this one is definitely worth considering.

Pros:

Lightweight and easy to handle: The foam core and end-weight design of the bat make it easy for coaches to hit fly balls and ground balls with more speed and distance without feeling fatigued.

Durable construction: Made from high-quality Northern White Ash, this wood fungo bat is designed to be long-lasting and withstand regular use.
Ideal for coaches: The bat’s design is specifically tailored to meet the needs of coaches who want to improve their players’ fielding skills.

Cons:

Limited to baseball: This wood fungo bat is designed only for use in baseball, which may be a drawback for coaches who work with players in other sports.
Natural finish may not be for everyone: While the bat’s natural finish is aesthetically pleasing, some coaches may prefer a bat with a different look or color.

5. SSK Z9 Professional Edge Fungo Bat

The SSK Z9 Professional Edge Fungo Bat is a top-quality handcrafted bat made with Japanese lightweight Magnolia Obovata Wood, which is native to Japan. The wood is heat compressed to increase density and durability while maintaining a lightweight feel. SSK is confident in its product, offering a 60-day warranty for all its fungo bats.

The SSK Wood Fungo Bat is a favorite among coaches at all levels of baseball, from Little League to Major League, due to its durability and performance. The bat is available in three sizes: 33″, 35″, and 37″, with each size having its own unique features and benefits.

The 33″ Wood Fungo Bat is perfect for infield ground balls, and Little League and youth coaches can use it as a full-field fungo bat. The PS100 33” Fungo is SSK’s smallest wood fungo bat and is perfect for beginners or infield practice.

The 35″ Wood Fungo Bat is the most versatile fungo bat used by all coaches. Its size allows for easy control and can be used for both infield and outfield drills. The PS150 35” Fungo is SSK’s most universal Fungo bat and is commonly used by softball coaches.

The 37″ Wood Fungo Bat is the longest of the three sizes, and it is best used for advanced Fungo users and outfield practice. The PS200 37” Fungo Bat allows you to put the ball in any spot on the field, making it perfect for advanced drills. Its length provides more whip, allowing for longer hits with less effort, making it a great tool for experienced coaches.

Pros:

High-Quality Material: The SSK Z9 Professional Edge Fungo Bat is made with Japanese lightweight Magnolia Obovata Wood, which is heat compressed to make it dense and durable while maintaining a lightweight feel.

Versatility: The bat comes in three different sizes (33″, 35″, and 37″) to cater to different needs. The 33″ is suitable for infield ground balls, the 35″ is versatile and can be used for both infield and outfield drills, while the 37″ is best for advanced fungo users and outfield practice.
Warranty: SSK provides a 60-day warranty for all their Fungo bats, which shows their confidence in the product’s quality and performance.

Cons:

Limited Color Options: The SSK Z9 Professional Edge Fungo Bat is only available in one color – Black/Black/White – which may not be appealing to everyone.
Wood Material: While the Magnolia Obovata Wood is of high quality, it may not be as durable as other materials like aluminum or composite. This may affect the lifespan of the bat and require frequent replacements.

How to Choose the Right Fungo Bat for You?

Choosing the right fungo bat is essential for any baseball coach or player. Here are some factors to consider when selecting the best fungo bat for you:

Determine Your Needs

Consider the type of drills you will be conducting and the players you will be working with. For example, if you are a coach of a youth team, you may want to choose a lighter fungo bat to accommodate the smaller size of your players. If you are working with college or professional players, a heavier and more durable fungo bat may be necessary to withstand the demands of intense training.

Consider Your Budget

Fungo bats come in a wide range of prices. Determine your budget before making a purchase to ensure you are getting the best value for your money. Keep in mind that a higher price doesn’t always mean a better bat, and it is possible to find a quality fungo bat at a lower price point.

Test the Bat Before Buying

It is essential to test the bat before making a purchase. Take a few swings with the bat to ensure that it feels comfortable in your hands and that it has the right weight and balance for your needs. Some sporting goods stores may allow you to try out different fungo bats before making a purchase.

Read Reviews and Do Research

Research different brands and models of fungo bats to find the best fit for you. Look for reviews from other coaches and players to get an idea of the bat’s quality and durability. You can also ask for recommendations from fellow coaches or players.

What is the difference between a fungo bat and a regular bat?

A fungo bat is a type of bat used by baseball coaches during practice sessions to hit fly balls or grounders to their players. While it may look similar to a regular baseball bat, there are several differences between a fungo bat and a regular bat.

Shape and Size

Fungo bats are typically longer and thinner than regular baseball bats, with a length ranging from 32 to 38 inches and a barrel diameter of around 2.25 inches. The thin barrel and slender design make it easier for coaches to swing the bat and control the direction of the ball.

Weight

Fungo bats are lighter than regular baseball bats, with weights ranging from 16 to 20 ounces. The light weight of the fungo bat allows the coach to swing the bat for an extended period without getting tired, making it easier to conduct multiple drills in a single session.

Material

Fungo bats are made of a variety of materials, including wood, composite, and aluminum. Wood is the most popular material for fungo bats, as it provides a natural feel and sound that is similar to a regular bat. Composite and aluminum fungo bats are also available and are known for their durability and lightweight.

Purpose

The primary purpose of a fungo bat is to help coaches hit balls during practice sessions. Unlike a regular baseball bat, which is used to hit pitches during a game, the fungo bat is solely used for drills and training purposes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right fungo bat is crucial for any baseball coach or player. Fungo bats are designed to provide greater control, endurance, and precision during practice sessions, making them an essential tool for improving player performance. When selecting a fungo bat, consider factors such as size, weight, material, and purpose, as well as your budget and needs. Testing the bat before buying is also important to ensure that it feels comfortable and fits your style of play. Remember, investing in a quality fungo bat can enhance your training and ultimately lead to better results on the field.

FAQs

Can you use a Fungo bat in a MLB game?

No, fungo bats are not allowed to be used in MLB games. They are specifically designed for practice purposes and are not built to withstand the rigors of a live game.

What is the fungo used in the MLB?

The Fungo bat is a specially designed bat used by baseball coaches in the MLB to hit balls during practice and warm-ups. Its lightweight and slender design allows coaches to easily hit fly balls and grounders to players on the field.

Why is it called fungo?

The term “fungo” originated from an old game similar to baseball, where players chanted “One go, two goes, fun goes.” Over time, the term evolved to refer to the specialized bat used by coaches to hit balls to players during practice.

Best Fungo Bats for Baseball