The 3-Bat Progression That Builds Real Bat Speed
Train like Willie. Swing like Happy. Hit it farther.
Pick up your buddy’s bat — or a stick — like Willie Mays did. Measure new personal bests by going full Happy Gilmore.
During his early Giants years, Willie Mays went home to Harlem in the off-season and played stickball. Legend says he learned to hit breaking balls in the street. It was fun then — and now we have old snapshots and modern science confirming the value of swinging a mop handle.
Why This Winter
Aaron Judge explains November–January better than anyone:
“Winter is when I slow everything down and rebuild it better. You win games in the summer, but you become a player in the winter.”
— Aaron Judge
The break from regular practice and game rhythm is an opening: time to train specific skills toward productive, long-term goals. This week, we look at simple speed training.
Underspeed and Overspeed Swings
Don’t let “a study” get in the way of the barbaric joy of moving faster and hitting farther.
Exit velocity — the result of swinging harder — shows up on ESPN graphics and makes our jaws drop.
But mixing StatCast logic with stickball simplicity reveals the truth: you don’t need tech. You just need a gamified pursuit using a few bats of different weights.
Three bat weights build rotational power and functional strength:
Your normal game bat (with the correct length and weight)
One about 3 ounces lighter (your little brother’s bat)
One about 3 ounces heavier (your buddy’s bat)
(If the bats aren’t exactly 3 ounces different, don’t sweat it. Availability over precision.)
Train It Simply With a 5-Part Progression
Use a tee and hit into a net. Repeat this for 3 sets:
Overspeed Bat (-3 oz): 10 swings
Rest: 30 seconds
Underspeed Bat (+3 oz): 10 swings
Rest: 1 minute (to stay explosive)
Your Game Bat: 10 swings
This 20-second video from Trosky Academy Lead Instructor Kyle Harris breaks down underspeed and overspeed training:
For more content like this, follow the Trosky 365 Instagram. For more from Coach Harris, follow here.
Measure Progress the Happy Gilmore Way
Like a golfer at the driving range, measure distance gains every two months.
Find a football field. Bring your game bat, tee, and a handful of quality baseballs. Set up on the goal line and take your most aggressive swings — yes, like Happy.
A friend marks the farthest landing spot.
40 yards in September becomes 45 in December (that’s +15 feet).
Record each new PR in your performance journal, set a new goal, and return to the 5-part progression.
Compete against yourself: You vs. Yesterday.
Have fun like Willie. Let it fly like Happy.
Coach it Up
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Coach Trosky’s Message — The Freedom to Move
Equip driven players with the rebounder and video-based training programs that make #BetterEveryDay an actual plan, not just a slogan.
Trosky Academy Info Session
Trosky EdTech hosted a 50-minute session on “school + baseball reimagined.” If you missed it, tune in to hear what made a former MyGym executive ask:
“Why aren’t all families doing this?”
Join Us Weekly — Trosky 365 Live
Tuesday @ 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET
This week, Coach Trosky breaks down Elite Infield Play.
Bring your performance notebook, set reminders, and show up ready.
Or join directly:
See you tonight!
On the adventure,
—Greg Moore
greg@troskyedtech.com
TroskyBaseball.com
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