Choosing a baseball bat is very simple when the process is all laid out. Ultimately, your success when you’re on the plate comes from making hard and consistent contact against the ball. It’s very important that you have a bat that’s adapted to you. So, the bat should be at a length that covers the strike zone, is lightweight so you can easily swing it, can create power, and is allowed for use in your league. You can take in the following considerations to find the perfect bat for yourself. Be sure to also visit https://thebaseballreviews.com to get the best deal.
Length
The length of a bat is in inches from the end cap to the knob. Longer bats need more power to swing, so you should swing different lengths to test out which one is best for you. Your ideal length will be calculated by taking into account your height and weight. For example, if you’re 5’ and you weigh 100 pounds, you should get a bat that’s 30”. If you’re 5’ and you’re 150 pounds, you should get a bat that’s 32”. The right combo will give you great performance.
The most common length according to age is:
- 5-7 years, 24”-26”
- 8-9 years, 26”-28”
- 10 years, 28”-29”
- 11-12 years, 30”-31”
- 13-14 years, 31”-32”
- 15-16 years, 32”-33”
Weight
The weight of a bat is in ounces, and it’s often associated with the bat’s “drop”. The drop is measured by subtracting the weight from the length of the bat. For example, a bat that’s 22 ounces and 32” long will be a -10 bat. In general, the higher the level of competition you’re in, the less the drop. A lesser drop means that the bat will feel heavier. The right weight of your bat will vary, depending on your specific sport, preference, and the rules of your league; different leagues permit different drops, so you want to ensure you’ll actually be allowed to play with your bat. If you don’t have very much experience, you’ll also want a lighter bat. It’s recommended that you try out different bats against live pitching to determine the ideal drop for yourself.
The most common weight drops are:
- -3
- -5
- -8
- -9
- -10
- -12
As you reach the high school level, bats will have less drop (will be heavier), and will stay that way.
The Different Baseball Leagues
There are different governing bodies for baseball–for example, USA Baseball and the USSSA–and they each have their own standards for bats. Manufacturers understand this and they create bats to meet the standards, however you will have to check and make sure the bat you’re getting is right for your specific league. You’ll be able to tell which standard your bat meets according to the logo on it. Leagues tend to vary by region, so take care to understand your local standard so you can play with your new bat.
The following are differing governing body standards:
- BBCOR (High school and college baseball): -3 drop, barrel 2⅝” or less
- USSSA (senior league): wide range for weight drop, wide range for barrel diameter
USA Baseball (USABat standard): no restriction for weight, barrel 2⅝” maximum
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