Best BBCOR Baseball Bat Buying Guide – Top Bats Review

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:

Height > Weight V	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.