It should be unproblematic, right?  A baseball bat and some batting gloves is everything your child needs for offensive production in baseball.

However, it tin can be tricky to choose the best baseball bat.

This quick-kickoff guide volition provide parents and children all the necessary information needed to select the right metal bat for a certain age or a particular level of play. Having a perfectly-tailored bat can maximize the performance of the player and significantly build his confidence.

Then, later on you know the criteria for the bat y'all are looking for (certification, weight, length, drop weight, and composition material), check out the pros and cons of the all-time baseball bats for 2017.

NOTE: Let'south exist honest, what do professional baseball game players (who employ wood bats evidently) know about the latest metal bats?  Ordinarily, every post on this website is written by a professional baseball thespian, but we had to make an exception for this topic.  Delight note, this mail was donated to PBI by David Morgan at ThePlanetOfBaseball.com

Regulations

Two things to know…

  1. In the world of baseball game, an "adult" is considered someone who is at least thirteen years of age.
  2. You should too know that BBCOR certification is the current standard used when making adult (xiii years and older) baseball bats.  So, if you want a bat eligible for leagues that follow NFHS and NCAA rules, Make Certain information technology is BBCOR certified.

Youth baseball game organizations (Piffling League, PONY, USSSA) too insist on this certification in their senior divisions, which tin include players that are 11-xiv years onetime.

What is BBCOR?

If you really want to know…  BBCOR stands for "batted brawl coefficient of resolution," something that is calculated based on the trampoline issue of the bat. This standard was implemented to regulate the level of energy lost when the bat makes contact with the baseball. NFHS and NCAA set 0.50 as the tiptop value that a bat can achieve.

Aside from that, BBCOR certification ways that a bat needs to have

  • a barrel diameter that does not exceed 2 5/viii inches,
  • a length no greater than 36 inches, and
  • length to weight ratio no bigger than -3.

Composite bats that were banned can now be used if they have a BBCOR certification.

You can observe the list of all certified bats here.

How to Choose the Correct Size?

There are several factors to consider when choosing the best baseball bat:

  • Length
  • Weight and drop weight
  • Barrel size

1.  Length of the Bat

You lot can apply this chart of recommended bat length depending on histrion'due south age:

how to choose a youth baseball bat

Longer bats enable players to have a bigger attain, but they are also heavier, which tin can affect swinging technique. Obviously, you have to consider both length and weight to find the perfect bat for your player.

2.  Weight of the Bat

There is a belief that bigger players need to use a heavier bat to achieve maximum ability, while smaller players should employ a lighter bat to maximize the speed.   That may be the starting identify of your search for the all-time youth baseball bat, but it'southward not necessarily the rule.

Heavier bats can be catchy to control, and the role player tin lose his motivation if striking too many foul balls.

However, your child won't go maximum performance from a bat that is likewise lite, every bit it volition subtract potential acceleration and power.

To really be certain, you tin use this bat sensor see which bat weight results in the highest exit velocity (while nonetheless keeping good striking mechanics).

The trick is to find the platonic drop weight of your player's bat.

What does drop weight of a baseball game bat mean?

The drop weight is the divergence between the length (measured in inches) and the weight (measured in ounces) of the bat.

Which drop weight should my child use?

The driblet weight changes as the player becomes amend / stronger / older.

  • Youth baseball bats – If you are a new player that makes his start baseball steps, you should start with a bat that has a -10 or -12 drop weight. These are drop weights recommended for children starting to play baseball.
  • High School – BBCOR regulations restrict high school and college baseball game players to using bats with the drib weight no greater than -3.

Every bit yous tin can run into, it might be easy to find the best batting gloves, just choosing an advisable bat is a time-consuming process.

The thespian volition accept to attempt several (if not a lot of) bats until he finds the virtually suitable weight.

The weight test

In that location is a skillful do for determining if the bat is too heavy for the concoction. Have your role player concur the bat out in front of him with one mitt for 15-20 seconds.

The bat should exist held with ane hand and just in a higher place the handle. If he can make information technology for xx seconds without his bat dropping or the arm shaking, there is a good take chances you lot've plant the all-time baseball game bat for that player. On the other mitt, if the bat drops or the arm shakes, you should endeavour a lighter bat.

3.  Barrel Size

Players under the age of 12 are advised to employ a 2 1/four" barrel. That is the standard size for Youth and Footling League baseball game. Regulations restrict high schoolhouse and college batters to utilise a maximum butt diameter of 2 5/viii".

Having in mind both barrel size and drop weight, the experts from Source for Sports came up with this nautical chart:

perfect metal bat size for youth baseball bat

Please note that this is a nautical chart with the recommended sizes. They can differ from player to player, but they all take to comply with the regulations.

Types of Bats to Choose From

In that location are 4 basic types of metal bats based on the cloth used in their crafting:

· Blend bats
· Composite bats
· Half and half bats
· Hybrid bats

Y'all tin can as well choose from one piece bats and two slice bats. The latter ones provide a little more flex in the handle, which can help the speed, while one slice bat lovers claim that they have a improve trampoline event.

Composite bats (generally the most expensive) are made of a composite of fiberglass-like material. Their master feature is that they become better with apply. The pause in period is crucial for them, so it is recommended to hit 200 to 300 real baseball all around the barrel to become the all-time functioning from a composite bat. This type had been banned a long fourth dimension ago, but can now be used as long as the bat has a BBCOR certification.

Alloy bats (mostly the least expensive… in that location are always exceptions) are completely fabricated from metal, except for the end cap. In most cases, this metal is aluminum. The reason for that is that aluminum is light and durable, making this the best youth baseball bat bachelor. Aluminum bats permit younger players to acquire the technique of a proper swing. They besides provide greater speed, compensating for the lack of accuracy and strength in some younger players.

Half and half bats offer a composite handle, while the barrel is made of aluminum, alloy or hybrid material.

Hybrid bats are comprised of several mixed materials, such as alloy or carbon. The master idea of these bats is to combine strengths of aluminum and composite bats while eliminating their drawbacks.

Whether y'all are buying batting gloves, baseball sunglasses, catcher gear or whatever other product that comes to mind, the toll is something y'all have to take into consideration.  Fortunately, for baseball bats, it'southward safe to say that cost isn't the deciding cistron.

It'south true, you lot tend to get what you paid for, and more expensive alloys should provide improve performance.

However, the vital thing to consider is your histrion. For example, aluminum bats are perfect for younger players that are only starting their baseball career, even though they are cheaper than composite bats.

My name is David, I am an editor/co-founder of www.theplanetofbaseball.com. Being a software engineer by solar day and a baseball blogger past night, I also participated in the training activities of a youth baseball squad at my hometown. I have passion for baseball game, it pertains to my life from babyhood until at present and I love to share what is related to that passion with others. I believe in the back up of other baseball bloggers like me to spread the passion.