Baseball training bat manufacturer HeavySwing, whose product carries "half to two-thirds of the weight in the handle," offers a "different way to prepare athletes to hit a pitched baseball," according to Arthur Hirsch of the Baltimore SUN. As the Orioles hold their "first scheduled full-squad workout" tomorrow at Spring Training in Sarasota, equipment from the Baltimore company "will be there." The Orioles "don't endorse the product," but hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh said that he "may use the gear with the Orioles this year." He is "one of several current and former major league players who back HeavySwing," including Dodgers CF Andre Ethier, Braves LF Jonny Gomes and Marlins 1B Michael Morse. HeavySwing advocates say that the handle weight "helps developing and experienced athletes learn or fine-tune the most effective attack on the ball." For younger players, the bats "are meant to develop what HeavySwing calls the 'baseball muscles' of the wrists and forearms." HeavySwing President Danny Kenney and Principal Rob Weinhold have been "getting the word out" at baseball events, including MLB's winter meetings in San Diego and several coaches' conventions. They have been "talking up the product, trying to get it into as many hands as they can" (Baltimore SUN, 2/24).
