What Is The Best Youth Baseball Bat?

It’s a tough question, and there is a lot of misinformation out there. Get the facts and make an informed decision for your young ballplayer.

Introduction

It is no secret that choosing the best youth baseball bat is a very important decision for any young player. After all, the bat is the single most important piece of equipment in the game. It is the one thing that a player uses to make contact with the ball, and it can have a big impact on both the player’s performance and safety.

With so much riding on this decision, it is important to take the time to choose the right bat. This can be a difficult task, however, because there are so many different bats on the market and because each player has his or her own specific needs. In order to help you make the best decision, we have put together this comprehensive guide to choosing the best youth baseball bat.

We will discuss important factors such as size, weight, material, and construction, and we will also provide you with a few recommendations for some of the best bats on the market. By the time you are finished reading this guide, you should have all of the information that you need to choose the perfect bat for your young player.

What to Look for in a Youth Baseball Bat

Buying a youth baseball bat can be a daunting task because there are so many different things to consider. You want to make sure you get the best baseball bat for your money, but you also want to make sure it is the right size and weight for your child. In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about buying a youth baseball bat.

Material

There are generally two types of youth baseball bats on the market today. The first and most popular is made from aluminum. These bats are typically lighter and therefore easier for young players to swing. They also tend to have a larger “sweet spot” – the area on the bat that produces the best results when hit by the ball. The downside to aluminum bats is that they can be more expensive than their wooden counterparts.

The second type of youth baseball bat is made from wood. These bats are typically less expensive than aluminum, but they are also heavier and have a smaller sweet spot. Wooden bats are often considered more traditional, and many players prefer the feel of hitting a ball with a wooden bat.

Weight

The weight of a bat is directly related to the length. The larger the bat, the heavier it will be. As a result, it’s important to find a bat that is not too heavy or too light for your child. A good rule of thumb is to choose a bat that is one ounce lighter than the listed weight. For example, if a bat is listed as being 26 ounces, you would want to select a 25-ounce bat. This will help your child swing the bat with ease and generate more power.

Length

The best youth baseball bat will be the correct length for the player. A bat that is too long or too short will be difficult to control and may not provide the best performance.

To determine the correct length of bat, have the player stand with his arms extended straight out from his sides. The player should measure from the center of his chest to the tips of his fingers. This measurement is the player’s wingspan.

The bat should be approximately four inches longer than the player’s wingspan. For example, a player with a wingspan of 40 inches would need a bat that is 44 inches long.

Drop

The “drop” of a bat is the difference between the length of the bat and the weight of the bat. For example, a “-10 bat” is a bat that is 28 inches long and weighs 18 ounces. The larger the drop, the lighter the bat. A “-5 bat”, for example, is a 33-inch bat that weighs 28 ounces. As a general rule, bats with smaller drops will support higher swing speeds, while bats with larger drops will be more comfortable for hitters who make contact with the ball more often.

Barrel Diameter

There are three main types of youth baseball bats: USSSA bats, BBCOR bats, and wood bats. USSSA bats have a 2 ⅝-inch barrel diameter and are often used by players ages 6 to 12. BBCOR bats have a 2 5/8-inch barrel diameter and are primarily used by high school and collegiate players. Wood bats can be made from any type of wood, but the most common type used in youth baseball is maple. Maple wood bats have a 2 ⅝-inch barrel diameter and are often used by players ages 9 to 14.

The size of the barrel is important because it determines how much contact area the bat has with the ball. A larger barrel diameter will result in a larger contact area, which will increase the bat’s trampoline effect and make it easier to hit the ball further. Conversely, a smaller barrel diameter will result in a smaller contact area, which will decrease the bat’s trampoline effect and make it harder to hit the ball as far.

In general, USSSA bats have the largest barrels and are thus the easiest to hit with. BBCOR bats have slightly smaller barrels and are thus slightly more difficult to hit with. Wood bats have the smallest barrels and are thus the most difficult to hit with. However, wood bats also have the greatest potential to improve a player’s hitting ability because they force the player to make better contact with the ball.

The Top Five Youth Baseball Bats

DeMarini Voodoo Balanced (-10)

The 2018 Voodoo Balanced (-10) 2 3/4″ bat is a great choice for the elite travel ball player. It’s made with DeMarini’s X12 Alloy Barrel for maximum pop and durability and has a balanced swing weight for enhanced swing speed through the zone. The Voodoo also features a ReFLEX Claw Grip for improved comfort and feel, as well as 3 Fusion Connection technology that maximizes energy transfer on contact.

Easton MAKO Beast (-10)

The Easton MAKO Beast is a two-piece composite bat that is specifically designed for power hitters. The bat has a -10 drop weight, meaning it is best suited for kids who are 10 years old or younger, or who are particularly strong for their age. The MAKO Beast also has a large barrel size, which gives the batter a larger sweet spot to work with. In addition, the bat’s two-piece construction helps to reduce vibration and provide a more comfortable grip for the batter.

Louisville Slugger Prime 916 (-10)

The Louisville Slugger Prime 916 (-10) is a two-piece bat with an aluminum barrel and composite handle. It has great pop right out of the wrapper and is approved for use in all major youth baseball leagues. The 916 has a balanced swing weight and comes in lengths from 24″ to 32″.

Rawlings Quatro Pro (-10)

The Rawlings Quatro Pro is a two-piece composite bat with a balanced swing weight. It has a -10 drop weight, which is perfect for young players who are looking for more power at the plate. The bat is also approved for play in all major youth baseball leagues, including Little League, Pony League, and Cal Ripken baseball. The Quatro Pro is available in lengths of 28″/18 oz., 29″/19 oz., 30″/20 oz., and 31″/21 oz.

Marucci CAT7 (-10)

The Marucci CAT7 is one of the most popular youth baseball bats on the market. It is made from a single piece of aluminum, which gives it a great feel and exceptional durability. The -10 bat is the perfect choice for young players who are just starting to play baseball. It has a good weight and balance, making it easy to swing and control. The CAT7 also has a great sweet spot, making it a great choice for hitting balls out of the park.

Conclusion

After much research and consideration, we have come to the conclusion that the best youth baseball bat is the Louisville Slugger Prime 918 (-10) 2 3/4″ Barrel Baseball Bat. This bat is made from durable alloy material and has a comfortable synthetic leather grip. It is also equipped with Louisville Slugger’s patented Speed Ballistic Composite End Cap, which gives it excellent pop and speed.