Puck Knobs: What are they and how do they help?
Have you ever noticed some of your favorite Major Leaguers, such as Paul Goldschmidt or Joey Gallo, using a baseball bat with an abnormally large knob at the end of the handle? You may have been wondering: What is that? and How is that helping the batter? Wonder no longer. In this blog, we will answer all your questions about the “puck” knob and all of its benefits.
What is it?
The puck knob is a variation of a normal knob that extends about 1.5 inches past the end of the handle. These knobs have earned their name because of their appearance resembling that of a hockey puck.
What is the point?
The puck knob is able to aid hitters by giving them slightly more control over their swing. This is due to the fact that the large knob under the player’s hands moves the balance point of the entire bat closer to the bat’s handle. The puck knob essentially acts as a counterbalance for the barrel of the bat. By adding more weight under the player’s hands and moving the balance point, this allows for a bat that has a lighter feel than other bats of the same model with a traditional knob. Because of this lighter feel, players are able to increase the speed of their swing and allow the bat to travel through the zone at a quicker rate than it otherwise would. Not only does the player’s bat speed increase, but due to the change in balance throughout the bat, a hitter ultimately has more control over their swing and is better able to position their barrel within the zone. These advantages in a hitter’s swing are evidenced by a quicker swing, and ultimately a higher exit velocity.
When considering purchasing a Walter Bat with a puck knob, it should be noted that the length of the bat is measured from the start of where the handle meets the knob (working length), and the additional length added by the puck will ultimately not be factored into the length of the bat. Despite this added length, the weight of the bat will be proportional to the weight of a bat of that same length that does not have a puck knob.