The baseball bat is a simple concept but a pretty complicated object. Here are some baseball bats facts to enlighten you about its interesting history and design. The more you know about baseball bats, the more you will find yourself in love with this fascinating sport. It’s essential to get a grip on the bat’s most basic concepts before you make a buying decision. So, without further ado, here are some interesting baseball bats facts:
A baseball bat is essentially a smooth “rod” that the batter uses to hit the ball thrown by the pitcher, signaling the other players to run around the bases and ultimately try and score a homerun. The thickest part of the bat, the part that is supposed to hit the ball, is called the “barrel” and the best part of the “barrel” for hitting the ball is called the “sweet spot.” The barrel ultimately gets thinner and thinner until it forms into the handle. On metal bats, rubber may wind around the handle for good grip. The “knob” is at the very opposite end of the barrel’s tip and helps a batter to hang onto the bat so that it doesn’t fly away! Think about this before purchasing that cheap bat that no one else seems to care for.
In the early days of baseball, younger players were most prevalent and the majority of bats were handmade, so sizes and shapes varied wildly. But as baseball became more of an official, regulated sport, so did the baseball bats. In 1859, rules were made about the diameter of the bat, and to this day every kind of league has their own individual rules. Therefore, be sure you are clear on your league’s rules on baseball bat measurements. Although all bats look very similar to each other, there are minuscule differences that are not obvious to the human eye. I hope these historic baseball bats facts were useful!
Bats For Kids
You wouldn’t send a right-handed kid out to play hockey with a left-handed stick, or expect a child to play soccer with basketball. Choosing the right equipment is necessary for fair and fun play, and for safety and success. Buying the right baseball bats for kids is every bit as important as selecting proper cleats, glove and batting helmet.
The right bat can directly impact how well kids perform at the plate. The wrong bat, on the other hand, can leave your child struggling on the peewee team. Buying the proper baseball bats for kids is important, but choosing the right one can be a little difficult.
Every player has a personal preference, and every sports “authority” will tell you something different. Some will say to buy a heavy bat for extra power, and expect your child to adjust his or her style and abilities to the added weight. Others insist that buying a long bat and telling kids to chock up on the grip will allow them to manage the few extra inches.
Don’t expect to say a prayer and have the right bat magically appear. If it didn’t work for Charlie Sheen in the movie Major League, it certainly won’t work for you. The key to buying the right baseball bats for kids is in the consistent response of baseball experts: both weight and length are equally important.
The bat you choose for your child should be light enough to swing easily. Don’t expect that your kids will develop Popeye forearms and a Babe Ruth swing just because you arm him or her with a heavy bat. And don’t let coaching old-timers convince you or your child that heavy bats bring out-of-the-park hits. Kids can actually hit the ball harder and farther with a lighter bat, because they are able to swing the bat faster. If you’re looking for proof, consider the fact that both NCAA and high school officials have passed prohibitions on baseball bats. These rules dictate that the bat may not weigh 3 ounces or more lighter than the bat’s length in inches. Therefore, if a bat is 34 inches in length but weighs less than 31 ounces, it cannot be used.
Length is also an important consideration when choosing baseball bats for kids. Little League rules require bats to be less than or equal to 32 inches in length. Their barrels may not be more than 2.25 inches in diameter. Of course, you don’t want to push the limits for kids in the “Farm” league (age 7 to 8), and a shorter bat of 26 to 27 inches will do just fine. Junior Minors (age 8 to 9) should try bats from 27 to 29 inches in length. Senior Minors (age 9 to 12) do well with 28 to 31-inch bats, and Majors (age 10 to 12) can easily swing a 29 to 32-inch bat.
Ultimately, it’s not about the kind of bat, or wallop at the plate. Kids having fun is what counts most. If your child loves to play ball, you can make the game more fun and more satisfying by knowing what to look for in buying baseball bats for kids.
Top Choice Baseball Bats for Youth!
Number 1: 2020 Easton ADV 360 (-11)
- Ultra-Lite Launch Comp – Launch Composite and Ultra-Lite carbon fiber combined with 360 Engineering for 360 degrees of barrel-tuned precision, optimizes the barrel profile and pushes the limits of performance
- 2-Piece iSo CXN construction – New lighter iSo ConneXion made with proprietary Nitrocell foam isolates the handle from the barrel for a solid feel and more power through the zone.
- Power Boost – Patent-pending “Soft Knob” technology provides hitters more leverage and power potential, while reducing vibration and improving comfort for the bottom hand.
- DFS Carbon Handle – The new Dynamic Feel System carbon handle is built from 90% carbon fiber creating an extra stiff handle, designed to provide best in class feel.
- Speed Cap provides a more flexible and responsive barrel with a natural sound on impact
Number 2: 2020 Louisville Slugger Select
- The perfect combination of speed and power, the Quarto Pro coach or machine pitch Baseball bat (-11) provides an optimally balanced swing to deliver explosive results0.
- Created for Youth players ages 10 and under in machine or coach pitch Baseball leagues.
- Designed for better contact, Ultra responsive two-piece, 2 5/8″ Big barrel design enables the young player to get more hits.
- Easy to swing due to ideal weight distribution and balance of -11 drop weight.
- Approved for use in all USSSA Baseball sanctioned coach or machine pitch Baseball leagues.
- -11 drop weight. The higher the drop weight, The easier It will be to swing. (Drop weight = Bat length (inches) subtracted from bat weight (ounces))
Number 3: 2020 Rawlings Quatro Pro
- The perfect combination of speed and power, the Quarto Pro coach or machine pitch Baseball bat (-11) provides an optimally balanced swing to deliver explosive results.
- Created for Youth players ages 10 and under in machine or coach pitch Baseball leagues.
- Designed for better contact, Ultra responsive two-piece, 2 5/8″ Big barrel design enables the young player to get more hits.
- Easy to swing due to ideal weight distribution and balance of -11 drop weight.
- Approved for use in all USSSA Baseball sanctioned coach or machine pitch Baseball leagues.
- -11 drop weight. The higher the drop weight, The easier It will be to swing. (Drop weight = Bat length (inches) subtracted from bat weight (ounces).
Number 4: DeMarini CF Zen. Budget Blaster
1. Para flex plus composite barrel: engineered for consistent responsiveness and a huge sweet spot.
2 piece composite construction: designed for improved weight distribution that allows for great balance, bat speed and barrel control.
3. Fusion connection: The streamlined design allows for greater weight control and feel while continuing to reduce vibration and redirect energy back into the barrel.
4. Reaction end cap: built with a blend of stronger and lighter materials, this end cap increases barrel performance without sacrificing swing speed
Number 5: Easton Fuze 360 - Best Skinny Barrel Bat!
- Para flex plus composite barrel: engineered for consistent responsiveness and a huge sweet spot.
- 2 piece composite construction: designed for improved weight distribution that allows for great balance, bat speed and barrel control
- Fusion connection: The streamlined design allows for greater weight control and feel while continuing to reduce vibration and redirect energy back into the barrel.
- Reaction end cap: built with a blend of stronger and lighter materials, this end cap increases barrel performance without sacrificing swing speed
Number 6: 2020 Louisville Slugger Solo SPD
- Premium SL hyper super-light alloy Barrel with thinner wall design for maximum pop.
- One-piece design with vibe premium vibration damping handle construction that reduces sting on mishits.
- Sped composite end cap removes weight for increased swing speed.
- Ultra-balanced swing weight Our lightest swinging BBCOR model.
- Premium LS pro comfort grip for the perfect mix of tack and cushion