How to Pick the Right Baseball Bat

There are literally hundreds of theories about how to pick the right baseball bat. Most are simply rehashes of classic theories intermixed with ideas to make the writer's theory "different." Forget all complicated explanations and buzzwords. Here are the only steps you need to get the right bat for you. The bats used by Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez or Albert Pujols have nothing to do with you. Follow these steps and you'll be swinging the bat you want.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Know your height, weight, and idea of your relative bat speed.

1. Eliminate from consideration all but the following three factors to pick the right bat for you. These rules apply whether you're age 12, 32 or 52, and whether you play baseball or softball. Keep it simple. Pay attention to length, weight and feel.

2. Decide on a length that is comfortable for you. If you're age 17 or older and can generate good bat speed with your legs and wrists, consider a longer (34 to 35 inches) bat as it gives you more plate coverage and increased leverage, which translates into power. If you're more "average" size, a good bat of 32 to 33 inches in length should be just right.

3. Use the lightest bat that still provides the "pop" you want when you hit a pitch off the "sweet spot" in your bat. If you're not in the minor or major leagues, choose an aluminum or composite metal bat to get the weight you want. Unless you're in a wood bat league, the metal variety will last longer and give you the ability to reduce weight while still having the length you want. For example, if you're comfortable with a 33-inch bat and want it lighter than 33 oz. (common measurement is one ounce per inch of length), you might choose a "-4" bat. This means your 33-inch bat weighs only 29 oz. You'll generate more bat speed while hopefully keeping your power quotient where you want it.

4. Pick a bat that "feels" right for you. As all youth coaches are aware, there are always a few young players who want to swing the longest, heaviest bat in the equipment bag. They mistakenly believe that the heavier bat will give them the ability to hit the ball harder. Wrong. Bat speed and weight transference are the two most important components of hitting well. If you're 11-years-old, weighing 78 lbs., a 34-inch, 32 oz. bat is useless. Even bats of the same length and weight will "feel" different to you. The right one for you is the one that "feels" the best. Don't worry, you'll know which one that is when you swing it a few times.

5. Get the combination of length, weight, and feel correct, and you'll have great fun and hit some hard line drives. Try to ignore all other advice from people as you, not they will be facing pitchers with this bat. Most other options (thin handle, fat handle, thin barrel, fat barrel, rounded top, indented top or type of taped handle) relate to feel and personal preference.

6. Get in a batting cage or at batting practice and hit with a bat the length and weight that's right for you. If you can use the exact bat or bats you're considering, do so. Once, you've decided on length and weight, hitting machine or live pitching will allow you to select the model that "feels" best to you. You'll quickly be ready for game conditions with a stick in which you have confidence.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to disregard price, within reason, and concentrate on length, weight and feel.
• Swing bats from different top manufacturers. You'll see that bats of identical length and weight will often feel very different when you swing them.
• Since the sweet spot tends to be more consistent in a metal bat versus even the best wooden bat, rotate the bat every few pitches during practice to avoid putting dents or extra stress on the barrel. Spread the hits around.
• If you're going to buy an inexpensive bat that feels good, consider getting two or more as they typically won't last as long as more expensive ones. If it feels that good, keep one or more spares handy.

Who Can Help:

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

Resources

• Guidelines for choosing the right bat for you

[baseballgirl102]

on 6/22/2009 This is a great article! Thank you. I have a son who plays baseball for a little over three years now and I am always excited to learn new things. A website that I found particularly helpful was WWW.BIGDOGBATS.COM. They have a great site with a very easy to use sizing chart that has taken my boy through 3 years of playing. Not only is this site easy to use and order from but he even gets a free t-shirt!!  Anyway hope this was helpful