Charles Sollars:  This trend of the batting practice hat being new every year or two is a cool idea in concept but the problem is that most of these hats are just ugly. I guess they have to be ugly to match the batting practice jersey which is a whole other article by itself. So, for now lets focus on the hat.

Bill Ivie: I disagree, I think it gives a fresh look to a franchise without them having to change their look and really irritate the purists.  It gives fans the opportunity to find something fresh and new without losing the traditions they love.

Sollars: These things are everywhere, from the ballpark to malls!  People will buy them, which means New Era will make a new batch next year.

Ivie: What is the problem with other people wearing these hats? Why are you so worried about what other fans wear?

Sollars: If people keep buying these ugly things one day soon in the near future wool hats will be a thing of the past and that is just something that I can’t stand to think about. There is something classic about a fresh wool New Era on opening day. Then there is the comfort of a ten year old wool hat that team doesn’t even wear any more. The classic wool hat should be left alone. If the boys want to wear a bp hat give em two wool hats.

Ivie: Wool hats aren’t going anywhere.  But the batting practice hats are cooler in the summer heat.  They breathe better and they still hold the traditions of the old designs mixed with today’s styles.

Sollars: If the thought of wool being gone is fine in your book lets take a closer look a the bp hat. First of all why is there NASCAR like piping on these hats?  Secondly why do some teams have a wedge of color on the bill? These hats just look someone ran out of material.  To say I am a Yankee fan is the furthest thing from the truth but the fact that the Yankee hat has something on it other than the white NY is just wrong in my book.

Ivie: These are some of the features that I love about the hat.  The piping gives a three dimensional feel and adds depth to the hat.  Catch up with the times, my friend, everything is high def, why not our hats?  The two-tone look incorporates the teams two primary colors better than the old style’s secondary color barely visible on the primary.

Sollars: Then if you happen to turn one of these ugly things around what is up with the half circle around the MLB logo?

Ivie: I think it’s just style, and I like the fact that my MLB logo does not always have to look the same.

Sollars: I will give New Era some credit there are three hats that I do not hate (Cardinals, Braves, and Tampa Bay Navy Blue). The other 30 hats can be added to the next disco night fire. Yes, there are 33 hats because the Rays, Tigers and Yankees all have home and away versions.

Ivie: Ok, you got me there, more than one hat per team is only ok if everyone has one.  Either there is two hats per team or there is one, but three extra hats is a little strange.

Sollars: While we are on the subject lets also state that the red flag logo hats are ugly as well but they are honoring men and women that keep this land free so we will give them a pass.

Ivie: I agree they deserve a pass due to the men and women they honor.  But I think it was a classy way to honor those men and women.

Sollars: The solution to the ugly batting practice hat is simple.  Teams should allow players to either have a mesh flex fit or wool version of one of their game hats as option one.  Option two would be a throwback cap.  Finally, if New Era and MLB say that the hats have to be different so that they can sell more hats, then please just keep the hats to no more than two colors, one for the bill and one for the panels.  Unless the team wants to do two white panels on the front.  This will keep us all from having to wear piping or zig zagged color patches.

Ivie: I love the idea of throwbacks, jerseys or hats.   I will also admit that I agree, this is a marketing ploy for MLB and New Era to sell more hats.  But when it comes down to it, I think the players should have the freedom to wear anything with the team logo on it before game time.

What is your opinion of the Great Hat Debate?  Visit the post on the bleachers and vote in our poll.

After years of sampling various products designed to improve hitting, Rob realized there wasn’t anything on the market that would both teach players the proper swing while also increasing strength and muscle memory. To fill this void, he created the VIZUBAT, a unique training device which offers both strength training and improved technique, while helping the hitter visualize successful contact.

Two-time A.L. MVP and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame Robin Yount calls it “the best tool I’ve seen for visualization and strength training. It teaches you to hit the ball properly”

Several sports psychologists have conducted research studies on the professional and non-professional athlete. They proved that when the act of “visualizing success in the sport” occurs, it would contribute to actual success and improvement of their performance skills.

The VIZUBAT visually trains the batter to correctly hit the pitch that covers all areas of the strike zone.

I BELIEVE IN THE VIZUBAT HITTING DEVICE SO MUCH THAT, NOT ONLY ARE MY THREE SONS USING IT, BUT I AM ENDORSING THE PRODUCT TO BE INTRODUCED TO OUR MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYERS,” says Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett.

The VIZUBAT can be used for everything from loosening up in the on-deck circle, to batting-tee drills, to soft-toss drills. It will train the young and the old ballplayer to keep their head and eyes down, on and through contact.

“VIZUBAT’ IS DEFINITELY A DEVICE THAT MAJOR LEAGUE, LITTLE LEAGUE, AND ALL LEVELS OF SOFTBALL CAN BENEFIT FROM, BOTH YOUNG AND OLD!” – Hall Of Fame outfielder and eight-time Batting champ Tony Gwynn.

I had a chance to sit down with Rob Deer for a little Q&A session.

BD : How did you come up with the idea for the VIZUBAT?

Rob Deer : I started by duck-taping a ball to the sweet spot on a bat, cause it was the best way that I could think of to help the players “see” what I was trying to teach them.

BD : So, why the VIZUBAT? Why doesn’t everyone just tape a ball to a bat?

Rob Deer : There is more to the VIZUBAT than just seeing the ball on the bat. The product offers skill and drill training that you can’t get from a ball taped to a bat.

BD : Like what?

Rob Deer : I designed two attachments for the bat. The first is a flat-capped ball for use in tee work and soft-toss. The second is a full ball for use in the on-deck circle.

BD : So, the batter actually hits a ball off the tee with the flat-capped ball? Is it strong enough to handle the contact?

Rob Deer : You bet! We have major league players using the bat every day in their hitting drills. By incorporating the VIZUBAT in tee work a player will be able to see how they are contacting the ball and why.

BD : It sounds like hitters will be able to correct their swing quicker because they can see what they are doing wrong. Is that right?

Rob Deer : Yes. I am not trying to teach a hitting philosophy. Players have hitting coaches for that. The VIZUBAT is a tool that simply gives a visual representation of where and how contact with the ball is made. Hitters are better able to see and to adjust their grip as well as to see where to make contact with a ball in all areas of the strike zone.

BD : How is the VIZUBAT different than other training tools?

Rob Deer : The VIZUBAT is different from other tools because there is nothing on the market that helps develop three key factors in young and old, male or female hitters. The VIZUBAT helps you understand and get a feel for pitches in the strike zone and the correct approach to hitting them properly. The VIZUBAT creates correct habits naturally during tee and soft-toss drills by visualizing keeping your head down on and through contact, as well as focusing on hitting the ball repetitively on the sweet spot of the bat. With the VIZUBAT’S Patented steel shot weighted bags, you can naturally build strength by adjusting how heavy you want the round ball during warm-up, weight training drills, or just practicing your swing. The VIZUBAT allows you to build strength naturally that is conducive to your swing.

BD : How long before people start seeing results from using the bat?

Rob Deer : I’ve seen swings change within three swings off of a tee. I’ve found that younger players catch on faster than older players! I’ve had Major League players take ten swings to catch on, while I’ve had Little Leaguers square up nine outta ten off the tee. I want people to understand that this isn’t designed to be a quick fix gimmick. The key to being a good hitter is repetition of proper swings that build a foundation that lasts as long as his or her playing days! The VIZUBAT does this naturally.

BD : What is the biggest benefit you’ve seen from people who use the VIZUBAT?

Rob Deer : I think the biggest benefit is when I see the young players understand and get the feel of squaring up a ball off the tee because they are doing what I consider to be the biggest factor of all – keeping your head down on and through contact. You can’t hit what you can’t see! Observing how the VIZUBAT gets young players to do this consistently through repetition is great!

BD : So, how much better of a hitter would you have been in the Majors if you had a tool like this?

Rob Deer : Me? Not much better. (laughing) I had already developed my habits by then. It would have made a big difference if I had a tool like this in Little League or High School. I teach hitting differently now than how I hit in the Majors. I was a dead-pull hitter. The VIZUBAT teaches a hitter how to use the whole field; how to contact a ball that is inside, middle of the plate, or outside.

BD : Many big leaguers are using the bat and saying good things about it. What have you seen with those using it at the lower levels (high school, little league, etc.)?

Rob Deer : I recently spent time with over 300 high school players at a camp at Stanford University. The coaches at Stanford run an elite program and were kind enough to invite me to work with some of the kids. You should have seen the kids’ eyes light up as they used the VIZUBAT during tee work? Their bat speed increased and they were hitting solid line drives off the tee. Some of the boys asked if I would put a bat in the on-deck circle during their game. It was fun to watch them use the bat in the on-deck circle and then make solid contact with the ball during the game.

BD : Now is the VIZUBAT just for baseball players or can softball players use it as well?

Rob Deer : Absolutely! The VIZUBAT is just as effective for softball players. That’s why we offer a softball version. Although the trajectory of a softball pitch is different from baseball, it is still a matter of contact point. “See ball hit ball” applies to both. This is why Vicky Galindo endorses the VIZUBAT and has experienced so much success, as well as many travel ball teams.

BD : So, what’s next for VIZUBAT?

Rob Deer : Well, getting the word out and letting everyone know about this training tool. Soon there will be an infomercial on the MLB Network in the form of a mock hitting clinic. We have found that seeing first-hand in a live demo how the VIZUBAT is used really helps hitters understand the value of this amazing tool. In fact, it’s great to see how the Major League players have responded to the VIZUBAT. The real fun, though, is in working with youngsters. I enjoy using the VIZUBAT to help them develop as hitters and to develop a passion for the game.

BD : So, how do I get one?

Rob Deer : Right now they are available online at www.vizubat.com or through Brett Brothers Bat catalogue. Soon they will be available in retail stores.

BD : Well, you have some big names backing the VIZUBAT – both current and former players. I wish you the best.

Rob Deer : Thanks.

Some of the greatest hitters in MLB history have benefitted from the VIZUBAT – so whether you are an experienced hitter or are just picking up a bat for the first time, it’s your turn to see how the VIZUBAT can help you.