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The Ultimate Baseball Bat Buying Guide

Sports Lifestyle

The Ultimate Baseball Bat Buying Guide

Jun 14, 2024

How do you choose a baseball bat? That question might seem simple, but there are a lot of things that go into it. Do you need a baseball bat or a softball bat? What weight should you be looking for in a baseball or softball bat? How long should it be? What about the bat’s drop? (Wait, what’s drop? You can read more about drop lower in this post). And how do you decide what material your bat should be made of?

Hibbett’s baseball bat buying guide helps take the guesswork out of the equation. We can’t guarantee a home run — but with a lineup of brands like Easton, Rawlings, Louisville Slugger, Mizuno and DeMarini, we can make sure every player has the perfect bat in hand when they step up to the plate.

How to Choose the Right Baseball Bat

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 rules and standard

Age will determine what type of bat and the length of bat a player needs. A kindergarten player will usually need a T-ball bat, while a high school player will be ready for a much heavier and more powerful bat.

Parts of a Baseball Bat

  • End Cap: Located at the top of the bat, the end cap influences the bat's swing weight and balance. It helps in optimizing bat speed and control.
  • Barrel: The thickest part of the bat with the most surface area, the barrel is where the ball makes contact. A larger barrel offers a bigger sweet spot. 
  • Taper: This section transitions from the barrel to the handle, affecting the bat's balance and how it feels during a swing. 
  • Grip: The grip is the area where the batter holds the bat. A good grip improves control and reduces vibration, making the bat more comfortable and efficient to swing.
  • Knob: Located at the bottom of the handle, the knob increases control and leverage, which helps prevent the bat from slipping out of the player's hands during a swing.

Baseball Bat Materials

Baseball Bat Materials

Choosing the right bat material is an essential part of maximizing performance and safety. Note that not every bat material is allowed in every league, so check with your coaches first.

  • Wood: Common woods include maple, ash, and birch. Wooden bats offer a traditional feel and natural flex, with excellent balance and feedback that helps teach good hitting mechanics.
  • Aluminum Alloy: Durable bats made from lightweight alloy aluminum. A bigger sweet spot and faster swing speeds make alloy bats a good choice for power hitting.
  • Composite: Carbon fiber materials make composite bats extremely lightweight and powerful. Composite bats have some of the largest sweet spots and reduce the vibration a player feels when hitting. 
  • Hybrid: Combining alloy and composite elements, hybrid bats offer the durability of aluminum with the performance benefits of composite. They provide a balanced feel with improved swing speeds and reduced vibration.

How to Measure for the Right Bat Length

Bats are measured in inches from the knob to the end cap. Longer bats give you more reach, making it easier to hit pitches on the outer edges of the plate. However, they’re also heavier at the end, so you need more power to swing them effectively. On the other hand, shorter bats are easier to control, but can make it harder to reach outside pitches. 

Stance and swing style will have an effect on which bat length is right for you, and it’s hard to gauge these without having the bat in your hands. However, if you’re trying to figure out how to size a baseball bat, height is a great place to start:

  • Baseball bats range between 24 and 34 inches. Younger players (shorter than 5 feet and under 150 pounds) are typically 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.

Here are three other easy ways to determine whether a bat is the right length for a player:

  • 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 without exceeding the height of the hips.
  • Hold the bat straight out to the side with the knob positioned at the center of your 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.

Baseball Bat Size Chart

Baseball Bat Size Chart

For a useful shortcut, use this chart to look up the recommended bat length by height, weight, and age group:

What Is Bat Weight Drop?

Weight drop is the difference between the length and weight of a baseball or softball bat. Knowing the weight drop can help players choose a bat that matches their strength and playing style, with the right balance of length and weight.

Here’s the basic breakdown of how weight drop affects bat choice:


  • A higher weight drop results in a lighter bat, which is easier to swing quickly.
  • A lower weight drop means a heavier bat, offering more power behind each hit.

Swing speed can tell you if a bat’s weight is right for you. A bat that's too heavy will be hard to swing quickly and won’t reach the ball in time. A bat that's too light won’t have enough power to hit the ball far. Choosing the right weight helps you swing fast and hit hard.

For younger players or those who need a faster swing, a higher drop (lighter bat) is beneficial. For stronger players looking for more power, a lower drop (heavier bat) might be more suitable.

Calculating Bat Drop

Calculating Bat Drop

To calculate bat drop, subtract the bat’s weight in ounces from its length in inches. 


  • Example: If a bat is 31 inches long and weighs 21 ounces, the weight drop is -10. This simple calculation helps players and coaches make informed decisions about bat selection.

So, which weight drops are best for which sports? 

  • 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 don’t categorize them by weight drop. 

Baseball and Softball League Requirements When Choosing a Bat

Organizations like the United States Sports Specialty Association (USSSA) and USA Baseball have specific rules for different age groups. These rules determine which bats players can legally use in league games and tournaments.

Manufacturers create bats to meet these standards, but it's important to remember that each league and organization has its own set of rules. A bat that’s perfect for one might not be allowed in another. Checking your league rules is always the smart move, but these are the most common standards in use:


Various organizations set standards for softball bats, 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). Each has specific regulations, so check which rules apply to your league to find the right bat.

Baseball Bats from Hibbett

Baseball Bats from Hibbett

Ready to choose your weapon? Hibbett’s complete lineup of baseball bats gives you a full armory of the very best. Check out all of our baseball bats — then, get your whole game day kit together with our extensive selection of baseball gloves, baseball cleats, and more.

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?

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