How a Polymer Bat Grip Went Viral in Youth Sports
Anwar Stetson
A colorful new product is gaining traction across the country as youth players and parents look for a more durable bat grip alternative.
Stick Grip is a stretch-to-fit sleeve that wraps tightly around baseball and softball bat handles.
Prep Network spoke to Nick Cipkus, the National Account Manager at Stick Grip, about how the product came about.
“We saw a need in the market,” Cipkus said. “We have found and heard from parents that the constant re-gripping of bats is hard for them. They get sick of it. So, we created the stick grip because of the ease of application. You just slide it on the bat, you pull the cord, [and] it compresses down on there.”
Trending: Polymer Bat Grip
The company issued a press release this month about its sales rising along with trending social media posts.
Why the fuss? Players from high school to elite travel ball are replacing traditional bat tape and pine tar with Stick Grip, the company touts.
The grip is made by an Illinois-based company, Nakoma Products. It’s designed for durability and traction without the mess or breakdown of older methods like tape and tar.
The company said the product’s popularity has been spreading organically through dugouts, batting cages, and at tournaments. Nakoma’s approach focuses on field-level adoption rather than mass retail.
Sales have doubled in the past 18 months, and the brand’s growth is also playing out online. Stick Grip’s TikTok content has generated more than 21 million views in the past year, reaching nearly 20 million unique users.
Stick Grip: How it Works
To apply Stick Grip, you insert a bat handle into a plastic cone with the polymer grip wrapped around it. Pull a cord and the Stick Grip compresses onto the bat.
The product is thin enough to be applied over existing tape, offering extra shock absorption without needing to remove the original tape.
Cipkus says that Stick Grip is durable enough to last an entire baseball or softball season, removing the need to regrip bats every few weeks.
“It’s been a big hit with parents,” he said.
The product is made from a proprietary blend of polymers that maintain tackiness and resist moisture. “If it gets dirty, it can be wiped off, or if it’s wet, you can just dry it off, clean it,” Cipkus explained.
Since its introduction four years ago, Stick Grip has become increasingly popular at youth baseball and softball tournaments. Its colorful options and hands-on installation have resonated with younger athletes.
“The kids love the application process of it,” Cipkus added. “So when we go to tournaments or events and they see it, they recognize it from social media. They want to come over, they want to pull the cord, they want it on their bat.”
Much of the brand’s growth has been driven through TikTok, where videos of the product have racked up millions of views. “About half the people we meet at tournaments have seen us on social media,” said Cipkus. “It’s helped drive a lot of our awareness and growth.”
In addition to baseball, viral Stick Grip videos shows its application on pickleball and tennis rackets, lacrosse sticks, and even bike handles. The company is also expanding into hockey, and is seeking vendors nationwide for the 2026 tournament season for multiple sports. Coming in multiple sizes, the Stick Grip retails for $25.95.