When looking to better your baseball skills, don’t stop at spending time in the batting cages. It’s also beneficial for players to stretch before and after playing. As such, here are a few exercises to improve flexibility and strength. 

Improve Your Swing with These Baseball Stretches

1. Cross Body Reaches

Shoulders play a significant role in batting, throwing, and catching. Limber up your arms by extending your right arm across your chest, reaching for the left side. Use your left hand to draw the right upper arm closer to the body to intensify the stretch. Switch to extending the left hand across the chest and using the right hand to draw the left upper arm nearer to the body.

2. Chest Openers

Stand with the tips of your toes touching a bare wall. Angle your right arm at 90-degrees and place the inner side of the upper arm, elbow, and forearm on the wall with your palm touching it. Slowly turn your left side away from the wall to stretch the chest muscles. Pause to feel the stretch for several seconds before straightening out and placing the left arm on the wall while slowly turning to the right.

3. Bat Circles

Many baseball players practice arm circles before batting to improve shoulder mobility and rotation. Update this stretch by holding onto a bat with the arm that’s swinging to add some weight to the movement.

4. Supine Twists

Hitting, catching, and throwing all require twisting your upper body. Ready your spine and muscles for these unique motions with a supine twist. Start by lying on the ground on your back. Spread your arms out to a T-shape and bend your knees, resting your feet flat on the ground. Slowly roll your knees over to the right side while looking over your left shoulder.

To intensify the stretch, cross your right ankle over the left knee to lengthen and strengthen the psoas muscle. After 30 seconds, move your head back to center and use your core to bring your knees back to center. Repeat this twist on the left side for a full-body stretch.

Players looking to improve their baseball skills should visit Swing Away Academy in Miami County, FL. The 8,000 square-foot facility features hitting and pitching equipment, including HitTrax® technology, to help amateurs and seasoned vets better their game. Call the West Palm Beach-area school at (561) 568-8777 or visit the website for information on their batting cages and private instruction to gain one-on-one learning opportunities with experienced coaches and athletes.