A practice bat is provided for assisting batters to learn proper mechanics for hitting a thrown ball with the bat including an elongated flat member having a flat handle portion at one end and a flat generally paddle-like portion at its other end. A circular opening is formed in the paddle-like portion which has a diameter larger than the ball being thrown to the batter. The batter swings at the thrown ball and attempts to have the thrown ball pass through the circular opening which will indicate to the batter that he/she has executed a proper swing.