batguide

[batguide]

HOW TO CHOOSE A BAT

New technology has drastically changed the way baseball and softball bats have been produced over the last decade or so. Bats are no longer made of just aluminum, but can also be made of composite, which is known for being a material that the ball jumps off of. There are also strict regulations on what bats can be used depending on the age level of the player. Buying a new baseball or softball bat can be overwhelming for some, but with the following information, we’ll help make the entire process simpler. With this guide, you’ll:

Discover the proper way to measure yourself for a new bat

Learn how to measure your child for a new bat

Know how to choose the proper weight for your new bat

Learn about the recent changes to bat sizes and regulations

Understand the differences between bat types and materials

HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF FOR A BAT

Although there are many different ways to measure for the best baseball bat length, the best way is to choose what you feel comfortable swinging. A general rule to follow is never go up more than an inch at a time. This makes it easier to adjust to your new bat without drastically changing your swing. If you’re new to the game or want to re-size yourself, follow the steps below to learn how to properly measure yourself:

Measure from the center of your chest to the tips of your index finger, making sure to have your arm straight out to your side.

After you’ve selected the proper bat size to use by calculating all the numbers and referring to the bat length chart, there are some additional ways to determine whether or not it is the right size

Put the bat to your side and as long as your palm reaches the handle, you have the right sized bat.

Put the knob of the bat at the center of your chest with the bat facing outward - if you can reach your arm out and grab the barrel of the bat, it’s the right size.

HOW TO MEASURE CHILDREN FOR A BAT

If you’re shopping for a bat for your kid, the process of measuring will be a little different. If your young player is between 3’ and 3’4”, start with a 26-inch bat and increase the bat size 1 inch for every 4-to-5 inches that they grow. The following steps are the ideal process for determining the correct bat size for children:

Measure his/her height - be sure you measure with his/her baseball cleats on

Compare him/her to the bat - stand a bat up next to your child. The bat should reach, but not exceed, your child’s hip. If it reaches past his/her hip area, it’s going to be too long to swing

Weigh them - weight is a contributing factor to which bat he/she should swing because the little league bat size chart uses a combination of weight and height to determine the best bat choice

In general, children under 60 pounds should swing a bat between 26 and 29 inches long

If your child weighs more than 70 pounds, his/her bat should range from 28 to 32 inches in length