We Know: How to Buy a Baseball/Softball Bat

About Bats

Practice swinging any bat you're considering purchasing. You should have a firm grip on the bat and be able to swing it quickly and easily. If not, choose a smaller bat. As a general guide, stand the bat on the floor and if the top of the bat reaches higher than your hip, it's too long for you. Bat length and size restrictions vary from one type of league to another, so check before making your purchase.

What are Baseball and Softball Bats Made From?

Bats can be made of the following materials:

  • Wood: Required by professional baseball, wood is also preferred by some players in non-professional baseball and softball leagues. Wood can offer more control than aluminum, but less power. Wood also cracks and chips.
  • Aluminum: Lighter than wood, and therefore easier and faster to swing, aluminum bats are popular in non-professional league softball and baseball playing. Unlike wood, it won't chip or crack.
  • Titanium, graphite, or other materials: Very strong and light. These types of bats also reduce the sometimes painful bat vibration on the hands when you don't hit the ball exactly right, or it's a cold day.

Optional Features for Baseball and Softball Bats

When shopping for a baseball or softball bat, keep the following in mind:

  • Rubber grip: Offers a better grip than a bat without one. Some prefer rubber instead of tape on grips because the tape eventually unwinds when its adhesive breaks down.
  • Double-layer aluminum bats: These are stronger and hit the ball harder than single-layer aluminum bats.
  • Extra insulated grips: These can protect your hands against bat vibration, but make sure they don't make the grip too large for your hands.
  • Bat shape: These vary by preference and sport. Softball bats may be thicker where contact will be made. For fast pitch softball or baseball, the handle will often have a narrow taper to enable the batter to swing faster.

Baseball and Softball Bats

There are many bats on the market today, including:

  1. MacGregor X8 Youth Aluminum Bat: Costs about $16.
  2. Rawlings 232 Big Stick Wood Baseball Bat: Costs about $20.
  3. Easton Youth Magnum Baseball Bat: Aluminum. Costs about $27.
  4. Mizuno Jenny Finch Fastpitch Bat: Aluminum softball bat. Costs about $75.
  5. DeMarini Ultimate Weapon Slowpitch Softball Bat: Aluminum. Costs about $120.


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