If you are a baseball coach looking for the best fungo bat in the market, then you are in the right place. On the other hand, it is essential to learn what is a fungo bat if you are a parent looking to be an active part of your child’s fielding. Therefore, we will define what is a fungo bat and list the best ones in the market in this article.
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The Benefits of Using a Fungo Bat
Unlike the top baseball bats for youth, a fungo bat’s purpose is a standard lightweight bat solely within training grounds. The lightweight construction of fungos feature weights around 22-24 ounces, making it an excellent choice for extended training sessions and drills. Compared to the best youth wooden bats with the most pop, a fungo bat is lighter and easier to swing. These features make fungo bats an excellent choice for fielding training.
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So, why should you use a fungo bat instead of a regular bat during fielding training? As stated, a fungo bat is lighter compared to a regular baseball bat. Furthermore, the lightweight construction of a fungo bat enables parents and coaches to swing with minimal muscle strain over an extended period. In addition, fungo bats usually feature a 2 1/4” barrel diameter and a larger size, enabling a user to hit the ball with more precision and bat control.
Two Types of Fungo Bats
Now that we answered the question “what is a fungo bat?”, let’s move on to the two types of bats and their similarities and differences. Before purchasing a fungo bat, it is essential to determine which type of bat you are more comfortable using. Since a wood and aluminum bat has their differences, its material will significantly affect how its user performs during training sessions.
Wood Fungo Bats
A wood bat will provide its user with a precise feel and better control when swinging on the plate. In addition, a wood bat provides a coach with a classic baseball bat feel that offers a lot of pop during ball contact. Plus, a wood bat removes the sound of aluminum pings during training sessions, which makes it a perfect choice for coaches and parents that prefers the classic pop of a wooden baseball bat. However, the wood material of a bat requires attention to its storage as various environmental factors may degrade its material.
Aluminum Fungo Bats
Conversely, aluminum bats excel in their flexibility in terms of storage placement. An aluminum bat can handle harsh environments, improper storage, and almost anything you throw at it. Furthermore, the durability of an aluminum bat enables it to withstand more beating compared to its wood counterpart. However, aluminum bats are not ideal during harsh climates such as winter due to the material stiffening up and intensifying the effect of bat stings. Moreover, some users might find the ping of an aluminum bat annoying; consequently, leading more people to purchase a wood bat instead.
The Best Fungo Bats from Amazon
Louisville Slugger WBFN100-NA Fungo K100 Natural Baseball Bat
The majority of baseball coaches and players know the legacy and product quality of the Louisville Slugger when it comes to baseball bats. The Louisville Slugger WBFN100-NA is not an exception as it perfectly captures the meticulous and hands-on approach of the Louisville Slugger brand. This makes the Louisville Slugger 2015 K100 Fungo Wood Bat an excellent choice for your team’s fielding drills.
The Louisville Slugger features a northern white ash wood construction that incorporates a foam core that unleashes both fly and ground balls during training sessions. Furthermore, the Louisville Slugger K100 features an end-weight feel that provides a lightweight bat that renders an increased power and ball distance.
Specification:
- Performance-grade Ash wood material
- Natural finish
- Features a 36” length
- K100 turning model
- Foam core
Type: Wood Fungo Bat
Feel: End-loaded
Price: $29.99
- Expertly sanded to avoid splinters.
- Extremely lightweight and powerful at the same time.
- Excellent price point.
- Provides excellent power with minimal effort.
- Incorporates a larger barrel compared to other fungo bats.
- A little bit on the heavy side due to its end-loaded feel.
- The handle of the fungo bat is not finished.
Mizuno Elite Wood Maple/Poplar Composite Fungo Bat
Coaches and parents looking for an extremely versatile fungo bat should not look further away from the Mizuno Elite Wood Maple/Poplar Composite Bat. In addition, the Mizuno Elite features six different colorways and two sizes to fit its user’s preference. Furthermore, the Mizuno Elite Wood offers a healthy balance between durability and a lightweight feel, making it a decent choice for extended training sessions.
The wood used to craft the Mizuno Elite Bat is Chinese whitewood, which offers outstanding weight, durability, and feel. Moreover, Mizuno completes these features with a sanded handle that provides an enhanced feel and grip perfect for both infield and outfield fielding drills.
Possess extreme versatility within the palm of your hands with the Mizuno Elite Fungo Bat today!
Specification:
- Sanded handle
- Offers a 35” and 37” variant
- Maple and Poplar composite material
- Comes in 6 different colorways
- Crafted from Chinese whitewood
Type: Wood fungo bat
Feel: Balanced lightweight feel
Price: $58.38 – $110.45 depending on size and colorway
- Ideal for both infield and outfield drills.
- Provides an excellent feel when hitting baseballs with it.
- Offers an excellent balance between swing feel and weight.
- Extremely lightweight fungo bat.
- Not that impressive in terms of durability.
- Needs to be taped to increase the bat’s longevity.
Easton MLF5 Maple Fungo Wood Baseball Bat
Being one of the leading baseball equipment manufacturers worldwide, the Easton brand provides all players with top-of-the-line product quality. Since Easton’s inception in 1922, their dedication to innovation has changed baseball, propelling the name Easton towards the hands of amateurs and professionals alike. Therefore, if you are looking for a straightforward fungo bat, the Easton MLF5 Maple Fungo Wood Baseball Bat is an excellent choice for you!
The Easton MLF5 Maple Fungo Wood Baseball Bat consists of North American maple to make the bat lightweight and more durable in every use. Furthermore, the Easton MLF5’s barrel features laser engravings and a cupped end, providing a classic feel and aesthetic. Lastly, the 7/8” handle provides increased comfort and control, ideal for almost all hand sizes.
Specification:
- Crafted from North American Maple
- Laser engraved barrel
- Cupped end
- 7/8” handle
- 37” in length
Type: Wood Fungo Bat
Feel: Balanced lightweight feel
Price: $77.95
- Straightforward features and specifications.
- Provides a decent pop.
- Features a longer length without compromising weight.
- Excellent choice for flyballs and grounders.
- Provides five colorway variations.
- The bat needs taping for improved longevity.
- A little on the thin side of fungo bats.
Louisville Slugger MB37 Flylite Fungo Wood Baseball Bat
Perfect for players exploring new things, the Louisville Slugger MB37 Flylite Fungo Bat incorporates poplar, a wood that compresses every after use. With this wood construction, the bat becomes more durable sessions after sessions. However, Louisville Slugger advises that users tape the barrel of the bat to increase the lifespan of the MB37 Flylite.
Furthermore, the end-weight design of the MB37 Flylite model enables its user to unleash a powerful swing without significantly affecting its swing’s weight. Moreover, the MB37 Flylite supplements this hard-hitting feature with more protection through the Louisville Slugger’s EXOARMOR finish. This finish provides the MB37 Flylite with additional durability, also providing the MB37 Flylite with exceptional pop and feel in every swing.
Specification:
- Poplar wood construction
- EXOARMOR finish
- MB37 Turning Model
- Features a drop of -12 (+/-2oz)
Type: Wood fungo bat
Feel: End-loaded feel
Price: $70.76 – $119.41 depending on size and colorway
- Good price point.
- Comes in three different sizes.
- Offers seven different colorways.
- The EXOARMOR finish offers decent protection
- Requires taping to increase the lifespan.
- Quite easy to crack for an end-loaded bat.
DeMarini Fungodelic Pro Maple Wood Composite Fungo Bat
The DeMarini Sabotage Youth and the DeMarini Voodoo are proof that the DeMarini brand makes exceptional bats. On the other hand, the De Marini Fungodelic Pro Maple Wood Composite proves that the DeMarini brand is also capable of making exceptional fungo bats.
The DeMarini Fungodelic Pro Maple Wood Composite Bat is an excellent choice for coaches and parents looking for the best of both composite and wooden construction in one bat. In other words, the Fungodelic Pro Maple features the durability of its composite frame and a wood barrel for a traditional bat feel. Furthermore, the Fungodelic Pro Maple Bat offers an end-loaded feel perfect for both infield and outfield drills.
The hybrid construction of the Fungodelic Pro Maple Wood Composite Bat offers the best of both worlds for coaches looking to up the ante of their team’s training sessions.
Specification:
- Pro Maple Barrel
- Composite Handle
- Feature a bat drop of -12
- Composite barrel
- 35” in length
Type: Aluminum and wood fungo bat hybrid
Feel: End-loaded feel
Price: $129.95
- Excellent hybrid composite and wood construction.
- A decent balance between durability and weight.
- The end-loaded feel of the bat enables coaches to send the ball to the outfield easily.
- Decent price point considering its features and specifications.
- Only comes in one size and colorway.
- Does not feature any warranty or guarantee.
Marucci Coaches Series Aluminum Fungo Bat
Aided by Marucci’s consistency and craftsmanship when it comes to making bats, the Coaches Series Aluminum Fungo Bat does not lack Marucci’s promise of high-quality baseball gears. In addition, the Marucci Coaches Series Aluminum Bat features professional-grade materials; therefore, making this bat an excellent choice for coaches and parents.
The Marucci Coaches Series Aluminum Bat features a combination of a high-strength alloy construction, soft-touch gear, and the patented AV2 knob to offer a perfect balance between power, comfort, and control when hitting on the plate. Furthermore, this one-piece aluminum alloy construction bat features a 2nd generation anti-vibration knob to counter excess vibrations one-piece bats produce.
The Marucci Coaches Series Aluminum features exceptional quality from barrel to handle. Get yours now!
Specification:
- One-piece aluminum alloy construction
- 2nd Gen Anti Vibration Knob (AV2)
- Professional-grade handle
- Ergonomic knob shape and professionally inspired handle
- Micro-perforated soft-touch grip
Type: Aluminum fungo bat
Feel: Balanced feel
Price: $164.66
- Includes a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty from Marucci.
- Offers an excellent balance between power, comfort, and control.
- Features professional-level specifications.
- Easy to swing.
- Loaded with features for its price.
- The skinny barrel requires more precision to hit the ball.
- Marucci released this fungo bat last 2018.
Rawlings Northern Ash Wood Fungo Bat
If you are a coach or a parent looking for an ultra-lightweight fungo bat for fielding training sessions, then the Rawlings Northern Ash Wood is the perfect bat for you. In addition, this bat from Rawlings includes features that are excellent for both grounders and flyballs to the infield and outfield during drills.
Crafted from Northern Ash, this Rawlings Bat incorporates a cupped barrel to provide its user with a light and balanced feel. In addition, the Rawlings Northern Ash Wood Bat offers excellent supporting features that make the handling of the bat facile and comfortable to use. Lastly, the Rawlings Northern Ash Fungo Bat features high-quality construction and a professional profile that results in an ultra-lightweight all-rounder bat.
Specification:
- Crafted from Northern Ashwood
- 35” in length
- Cupped barrel
- 2 ¼” barrel size
- Ultra-lightweight construction
Type: Wood fungo bat
Feel: Ultra-lightweight feel
Price: $89.95
- Excellent choice for easier grounders and flyballs during training sessions.
- Offers decent features for its price.
- The ultra-lightweight feel of the bat reduces muscle strain.
- Great sounding pop.
- Does not offer any warranty or guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fungo Bats
Q: What is a fungo bat?
A: So, the answer to the question is a fungo bat’s textbook definition. A fungo bat is a lightweight baseball bat primarily used by coaches and parents to create fielding scenarios during fielding training. Furthermore, a fungo bat enables coaches and parents to easily imitate in-game situations to help the positioning and play of their team’s fielders.
Q: Why do coaches put tape on fungo bats?
A: Taping a fungo bat is a method implemented by coaches and parents, but why? As stated on our buyer’s guide, a fungo bat features a thinner barrel with a longer length to provide its user with a lightweight bat. As a result, this makes fungo bats susceptible to breaking and cracking especially on their barrel. Therefore, coaches and parents usually wrap their fungo bat with tape to help prolong the lifespan of their fungo bat.
Q: Are fungo bats legal?
A: Manufacturers usually design their fungo bats for fielding training sessions only. Therefore, we do not advise people to use fungos during games as it features a design not suitable for official games. However, there are no regulations that make a fungo bat legal nor illegal.
Q: What is the benefit of a fungo bat?
A: A fungo bat’s lightweight construction enables a coach or parent to hit tossed balls than hitting pitches. In addition, this type of bat provides its user with a lightweight bat that reduces muscle strain during extended training sessions.
Q: Are fungo bats worth it?
A: Fungo bats are worth it if their purpose will solely be for fielding training as it helps with lessening muscle strain. In addition, it assists a coach or a parent to last longer during fielding training sessions.