Finding the Right Youth Baseball Bat

Like everything else in society, buying a baseball bat today is a lot more complicated than it used to be. When bats were made exclusively out of wood, one simply needed to get a bat that was the right weight and the right length. Nowadays, bats can be made out of aluminum, wood, or composite materials. Different bats will have different properties, and each bat may feel different to the hitter because of what it is made out of.

Here is a quick rundown of what to look for in the current crop of baseball bats.

What They’re Made Out Of:

Wood – Good old fashioned wood. Nowadays, wood bats are mostly made of ash or maple. For years wood bats suffered in popularity, due to the fact that most amateur organizations (Little League, Babe Ruth, American Legion, etc.) used aluminum or composite bats. However, wood bats have made a comeback, with many youth leagues now sponsoring wooden bat tournaments.

Aluminum – Actually, aluminum alloy is the more correct term. Aluminum alloy bats are more technologically advanced than wooden bats. Some of these bats are very light in weight, allowing the hitter to swing with increased bat speed, meaning the ball will be hit farther. In addition, technology has allowed these bats to drop in price so that a $50 bat today is likely a better-made bat than a $50 bat made twenty years ago.

Composite – Composite metal bats use the latest technology and are among the most expensive bats available as well. Although they have a longer break-in period than aluminum bats, composite bats will usually allow the player to hit the ball farther compared to a non-composite bat. Take note, most composite bats are quite expensive, $200 – $400, and they are known to break after extended use. Fortunately, composite bat makers offer warranties, so don’t forget to save your receipt!

Types of Bats:

T-ball – Mostly for the small kids, aged 4 to 6, just starting to learn the game.

Youth – These bats are commonly referred to as Little League bats and are widely available.

Senior League – These bats are for kids who play club ball, and in the levels after Little League (Pony League, etc.). They usually feature a larger barrel, up to 2 3/4 inches. You can’t use these bats in Little League, where the bat diameter must be 2 1/4 inches.

Adult – For adults and high school players, these bats have a -3 drop weight, meaning the weight is determined by the length of the bat. A 32-inch Adult bat would weigh 29 ounces.

In order to buy a bat that is the right size for you, a general rule of thumb when purchasing a baseball bat is to hold the bat in one hand with your arm extended out in front of you. If you can hold that position for at least ten seconds without putting excess strain on your arm, the bat should work just fine for you.