There are few things more frightening than an aggressive bat-wielding attacker targeting your body for intense harm. No matter if it’s a miscommunication, a freak interaction, or just someone out to hurt you, you need a defense plan, and you need it fast. The baseball bat is the quintessential blunt force weapon accessible to just about anyone that can be used to break bones, maim, or even kill. 

Luckily for you, there are numerous techniques that can allow you to avoid, counter, and even use the bat against your enraged attacker. You’re on deck to learn the basics of bat defense, and your spring training starts now.

Defend Yourself From a Baseball Bat

One of the main reasons why defense against a bat should be incorporated into your self-defense repertoire is that it’s one of the most easily acquired “weapons” available to just about anyone. Though its primary purpose is for baseball, naturally, a bat is essentially a blunt force club that can dish out a lot of damage. Whether it’s made from aluminum or solid wood, the impact from a well-placed, powerful swing can cause intense injuries up to death. 

Unlike other weapons that are bought and sold in back alleys or other shady locations by the “bad guys,” bats are found. They are readily available in almost every department or sports equipment store nationwide. The bottom line is that a bat is a common and viable threat to a person’s safety. It also must be said that if you have the choice between fleeing the scene or fighting a bat-wielding foe, always choose the former. No techniques are perfect or always work, so ignore your ego and get yourself home uninjured. 

Avoiding the Not-So Sweet Spot

With any weapon that is swung in order to cause injury, there are safe spots a victim can position themselves when targeted, as well as dangerous positions. Naturally, the attacker will judge the distance of the swing so the top portion of the bat will strike the victim’s head or body. This ensures the full power behind the swing causes the most damage.

 Needless to say, the victim needs to avoid this targeted area at all costs. With that being said, the intended victim has two options. They can either back away to avoid the impact and let the bat swing by them or move inward to the strike (either before or after the swing) and avoid the bat’s impact point. It’s natural for most people to back up and avoid the danger, but this option keeps the fight going, with the attacker just resetting himself for another swing. 

However, when you move into the attack (again, either during the wind-up of the swing or after it passes by you), you can smother your attacker and control the situation with either rapid striking or a takedown. In this case, the attacker’s hands are locked onto the baseball bat while all your weapons (arms and legs) are in full force. Remember that it’s unnatural to enter into a dangerous attack and should only be attempted when you have proper self-defense or martial arts training (which I highly recommend you get.) 

Off-Balancing Your Foe

Another advantage you have against a bat-wielding assailant is that momentum is not on his side. With a bat being top-heavy, every powerful strike that misses (hopefully all miss you) has a sometimes hard-to-control follow-through that must be exploited by you. This can be accomplished by entering into the attack (as mentioned above) and then either striking them while their body is contorted or forcibly pushing them before they have a chance to reset and swing again. 

Though a “push” may sound ineffective, the damage incurred by a body awkwardly hitting hard concrete can be a game-changer in a physical conflict. This will give you a chance to either flee, exploit the advantage with kicks or punches towards the grounded foe, or secure the weapon (if it wasn’t released upon the fall) and gain the advantage. 

Leverage is Your Ally

If you do take advantage of a miss-strike by your attacker and smother them from a second attempt, it’s time for you to disarm the weapon and take it out of the fight. The key is to use leverage rather than brute strength to make this happen. Sure, your body will be adrenalized, but so will his. So, a forceful struggle where there’s a greater chance of injury for you isn’t what you need. 

Instead, you need to take advantage of that fact that both his hands are locked onto the grip of the bat, while yours are free. With one hand, hold onto the knob located at the bottom of the bat, and with the other hand, secure a firm grip on the top of the bat. Now, pull the bat towards you on one end while you push the other end away from you. This wide motion gives you the leverage to overcome your opponent’s grip, even if it’s stronger than your own. 

Additionally, you can “soften” your foe during this technique by pushing the top-heavy end of the baseball bat into his body, possibly striking his knee, groin, or ribs in the process. These subtle strikes will help with the disarming of the weapon. 

Turn the Tables

If you’re able to take the bat away from your attacker, then you’ll have the advantage if they continue their attack. However, don’t follow your attacker’s failed use of the bat and make the same mistakes when you use it. Instead of a big wind-up, keep the bat in front of you and strike strategically at your foe’s vital areas. These include his knees, arms, and head. Spreading your two hands apart on the handle allows you to control the bat, similar to a katana sword, and make your strikes short, controlled, and powerful. 

Swing and a Miss

A bat is a piece of sporting equipment and it’s also a deadly weapon when in the wrong hands. If you’re faced with an enraged person holding a bat, and you have the means to escape, then, by all means, flee the scene. Bravado and letting your ego take over will only land you into the hospital. However, if you’re boxed in with no escape but to go through your attacker, then heed the aforementioned self-defense tips to increase your chances of survival. You can protect yourself and teach the bat-wielding bad guy that you are becoming his victim will be a big swing and a miss!