We took some hacks with the Swingrail, had a few hitters try it out, and read every online review we could find about the device. Generally, we think it is an above-average tool compared to the number of swing gadgets on the market today. It helps players feel what “keeping their hands inside the ball” means. This, in turn, creates a quicker path to the ball on a good swing plane.
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Swingrail Recommendations
If your hitting coach has told you that you “cast” the bat or your swing is “too long,” then the Swingrail will likely be helpful. (Assuming your hitting coach knows what they are talking about.) The idea is to use the Swingrail during tee work or soft toss to create the right muscle memory. Improving your upper body mechanics to the shortest path to the ball is useful for any player, softball or baseball, at any level.
However, the Swingrail is far from a full-hitting solution. Getting your hands inside the ball or finding an optimal swing path is nothing new. It can be taught and drilled in dozens of ways. (See this YouTube search and this bat path drill video.)
Is it worth $29.99? Hard to say for sure. Our general feeling is that anything that excites the player about getting into work is worth considering.
Among Swingrail reviews, the biggest complaint is how hard younger players find it. If you don’t drive the knob to the ball, you’ll struggle. The bat won’t come off the rail. Players under 8 or 9 might get seriously frustrated. But, in some sense, that’s the point—make it work.
Before and After Swingrail
We tested a novice hitter’s contact percentage and ball distance before and after his first Swingrail session using our Rapsodo for measurements.
The results were inconclusive. However, we do believe his bat path looked better. He finally felt what getting his hands “in front” or “inside” the ball was like. We hope that, over time, his improvements in bat path translate into better results.
Here is a video of a pre and post-Swingrail session:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFm6jV5bUXQ
Where to Buy
We found our Swingrail on Amazon, but you can also get it directly from their site or on eBay. Best we can tell, these are legitimate products.
Staying Inside the Baseball
The Swingrail can benefit any player, whether in softball or baseball, who struggles to get “inside” the ball.
Getting inside the baseball is often misunderstood. The phrase itself is vague. Ultimately, it means throwing the knob of the bat towards the ball to create a pivot point out in front, which leads to a quicker bat path, maximum bat speed, and a good swing plane.
This video explains what getting inside the ball means:
Swingrail Videos
Here are a few more videos on Swingrail: