What Should I Look for When Selecting a Baseball Bat?

There are many factors to consider when selecting a baseball bat or a softball bat. Sure, there are some obvious things to ask when shopping, like is this a youth bat or an adult-sized bat? Is this a boys’ baseball bat, or a girls’ softball bat? But there are others that aren’t so obvious, ones you might not have any idea about unless you’re a skilled player yourself or veteran a baseball mom or dad.

For instance, what weight should you be looking for in a baseball or softball bat? How long should it be? What about the bat’s drop? (What’s drop?! That’s the difference between the bat’s weight and its length. You can read more about drop lower in this post). And how do you decide what material your bat should be made of?

A balanced bat (heavy enough to generate power, light enough to swing easily) that adequately covers the strike zone is crucial for making solid contact with the ball.

Hibbett | City Gear’s guide to choosing a baseball bat helps take the guesswork out of the equation. With brands like Easton, Rawlings, Louisville Slugger, Mizuno and DeMarini, we can’t guarantee your little (or not-so-little) slugger a home run, but with more than 75 years of experience catering to America’s favorite pastime, we can guarantee any player can connect with the bat that’s right for them with these tips and helpful bits of knowledge. 

How to Choose the Right Baseball Bat

Whether softball is your thing or your child is setting off on his first foray into T-ball or machine pitch, here are the top factors you need to consider when selecting the right bat for you or your player:

• Age and height of player
• Softball or baseball bat length and weight
• League

Age will determine what type of bat and the length of bat your player needs. A kindergarten player, for instance, will likely require a bat approved for T-ball, while older players will need bats with enhanced technologies that meet specific league requirements.

Parts of a Baseball Bat

• End cap – This is the piece of the bat from a player’s hands. The end cap determines the swing weight of the bat.
• Barrel – The barrel is the part of the bat that’s thickest and widest, or the part of the bat with the most surface area for connecting with the ball.
• Taper – This refers to the part of wooden bats that transition from barrel to the handle.
• Grip – Grip is technically part of the bat itself, rather the connection between the batter and the bat. Grip affects how the bat will move through the strike zone.
• Knob – The knob is the part of the bat that sits below the handle. It’s wider than the best of the handle so it doesn’t slip from the player’s hands when swung.

Baseball Bat Materials

• Wood: Oak, maple, hickory, cherry, ash are a few of the woods used in bats. 
• Alloy: Made of aluminum 
• Composite: Carbon fiber-type materials 
• Hybrid: Blend of alloy and composite elements

How to Measure for the Right Bat Length

Bats measure in inches from end to end (knob to end cap). Longer bats offer more reach and make it easier to connect with balls on the outer edges of the plate. However, longer bats also carry more weight toward the end of the bat and require greater power to swing. A shorter bat is easier to control but makes it harder to reach pitches on the outside. Be sure to consider the player’s stance and swing when choosing a length.

• Baseball bats range between 24 and 34 inches. Younger players (shorter than 5 feet and under 150 pounds) are better off with a bat ranging from 26 to 31 inches.
• Taller and heavier players typically have the strength and leverage to swing a bat that measures upwards of 31 inches.

Whether you’re shopping for an adult baseball bat or you’re looking for a youth baseball bat, here are three easy ways to determine the correct bat length:

• While standing in a pair of baseball or softball cleats, hold the bat against the length of your body, and make sure the knob of the bat comfortably reaches the palm but doesn’t exceed the height of the hips.
• Have your player, or yourself, hold the bat straight out to the side with the knob positioned at the center of the chest. If your fingers can easily touch the bat’s end cap, it’s probably the right size.
• Place the bat in the center of your chest, with the knob firmly against you. As you hold the bat out perpendicular, extend your other arm. If your hand can comfortably grip the barrel of the bat, the bat should be the right size.
• For more exact measurements, use the below chart to find your best size:

Here’s an approximate age chart for budding baseball players:

• Ages 5 – 7: 24 to 26 inches
• Ages 8 – 9: 26 to 28 inches
• Age 10: 28 to 29 inches
• Ages 11 – 12: 30 to 31 inches
• Ages 13 – 14: 31 to 32 inches
• Age 15+: 32 to 33 inches

What Is Bat Weight Drop?

In the context of the game, weight drop is simply the difference in length and height of the baseball or softball bat. It’s important to know a bat’s weight drop to help choose the right balance between length and weight — which can make a world of difference in a player’s swing. The higher the drop, the lighter the bat. The smaller the drop, the heavier the bat. For example, if a bat is 31 inches and weighs 21 ounces, then the bat is a –10.

Bat Length (Inches) – Bat Weight (Ounces) = Weight Drop

Common Weight Drops for Baseball & Softball Bats

• The most common weight drops in baseball bats are –12, –10, –9, –8, –5 and –3.
• Fastpitch softball bats normally range from –8 to –13.
• Because slowpitch softball bats have a set length of 34 inches and range between 26 and 30 ounces, most manufacturers and distributors do not categorize them by weight drop.

Players new to the game generally need a lighter bat for better control, while veteran and older players usually have the technique and strength to swing a heavier bat.

Swing speed is a great indicator if the weight of a bat is right for the player. Bats with too much weight are harder to swing and take too long to travel the distance required to make contact with the ball. Bats without enough weight aren’t able to generate the force needed to achieve maximum power and distance.

Baseball and Softball League Requirements When Choosing a Bat

Organizations like the United States Sports Specialty Association (USSSA) and USA Baseball mandate specific regulations based on age groups that cover weight drops and barrel diameters. Manufacturers design and make their bats based on these standards. Each standard, however, varies. Bats that meet one standard may not meet another.

• Baseball players in the 4- to 6-year-old age group generally need T-ball bats.
• Those in the 7 to 13 age range will likely use USA or USSA baseball bats.
• Older teens from 14 to 18 will most often use BBCOR (Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution) bats.
• For fast-pitch softball players, there are five major governing bodies, including the Amateur Softball Association (ASA), United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), Independent Softball Association (ISA), National Softball Association (NSA) and International Softball Federation (ISF).

Some tournaments and leagues require different certifications. Keep in mind that different leagues throughout the country adopt the standard they consider appropriate, so be sure to check with coaches and league officials to determine whether a bat is legal for play.

Additional Baseball and Softball Resources:

On Deck: Which Glove Type Best Matches A Baseball/Softball Player’s Position?

In the Hole: How Do I Find the Right Fit for a Baseball or Softball Glove?