The decision of what type of bat to purchase, either for your kids, league play, or personal use, requires a little more than what the pros are playing with. Choosing which bat to swing on the plate has more to do with you, physically, than what it looks like. In order to make the best investment decision, consider these basics from The Baseball Reviews when shopping for the perfect bat.
(CHECK: BBCOR Bats at Amazon.com)
BESR vs BBCOR
The Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) was a method previously used by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) as the standard for the bat certification test. The BESR tested the time it took for a baseball to bounce off a composite or aluminum bat. The test and BESR bats were later replaced with a new measurement system, and bats, which took into account what the BESR failed to test for such as; performance of the bats after wear, longevity, and energy lost after initial contact (similar to the BESR test).
What to Consider
Three things to consider when purchasing are your leagues’ regulations, the length and weight of the bat, as well as the material makeup of the bat:
League Regulations
Youth Leagues – No more than 33” in length and no more than 2 5/8” in diameter –
Senior Leagues – Max length is 36” – Max diameter is 2 5/8” – Material should be smooth, round
Official MLB – Max Length is 42” – Max diameter is 2 5/8 –
Length & Weight
BBCOR bats come in a variety of sizes, but most fall in the range of 31 – 34”. Players falling in the height range of 36-40” should begin with using a bat no larger than 27”. Remember that the weight of the bat has a lot to do with your comfort, but if you can’t extend the bat out and hold it for more than 30-45 seconds, it might be too heavy. You can view our size to bat measurements below for sizing options:
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Height > Weight
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36-40” 41-44” 45-48” 49-52” 53-56” 57-60” 61-64” 65-68” 69-72” 73”+ Under 60 26 27 28 29 29 61-70 27 27 28 29 29 71-80 28 28 29 30 30 31 81-90 28 29 29 30 30 31 91-100 28 29 30 30 30 31 32 101-110 29 29 30 30 31 32 32 111-120 29 30 30 30 31 32 32 121-130 29 30 30 30 31 32 32 32 131-140 29 30 30 31 32 32 32 33 141-150 30 30 31 31 32 33 33 151-160 30 31 31 32 32 33 33 33 161 31 31 32 32 32 33 33 34 171 32 33 33 33 33 34 181+ 33 33 34 34
Material
With a variety of batting material, you should pay careful attention to the type of bat you’re purchasing. Wooden bats are regarded as MLB preferences, but other popular materials are composite bats, hybrid bats, and alloy bats.
Alloy Bats – These bats offer that “ding” sound you often hear. They come in metal or aluminum and often offer a one-piece design. They are the most common batting material due to their light weight. They cost less and are very reliable.
Composite Bats – Made of reinforced carbon, allowing for less vibration and more balance, these bats cost the most and take a little while to break in. Preferred usage in temperatures over 65 degrees, these bats are banned from high school use.
Hybrid Bats – Are made of both composite and alloy. Allow barrels don’t require a break in period, but they are susceptible to bumps, dents, and cracking.
Home Run!
Remember, these are recommendations and should only be used as such. There’s no guarantee that the bat will improve your game, but if picked correctly it can give you the extra touch you’ve been looking for. Now that you’ve gotten an idea on what to purchase, make sure to inform your sales rep on you’re looking for. Stay safe, have fun, and respect your bat.
