While it only takes a short time to learn how to swing a baseball bat, learning how to do it well takes time and effort. It is very important to choose the best youth baseball bats based on the athlete’s size and height, regardless of the age of the player, but it is especially true for young players whose growing skills can be greatly influenced positively or negatively by their choice of a baseball bat.
The first step in choosing the correct youth baseball bats is to ensure the one selected feels comfortable in the hands of the athlete. They should be able to handle a bat with confidence and feel good in control of their swing. Larger and taller players typically use a bat that is a little longer/wider than the standard size used by the rest of the team. Likewise, shorter bats tend to perform better for smaller individuals.
It is imperative that each member of the team choose the best bat for them rather than following what other teammates are doing. Choosing the ideal bat should always be an individual choice. The player’s parents and the coaches should watch out for peer pressure for young athletes to ensure it does not influence their selection of the right youth baseball bats.
Often times, the little athlete will hear from friends, coaches and even parents that one particular bat is “great”. However, it might not be the right one for them. To be successful, the athlete should try out a variety of bats to make sure of the one that feels ideal for them. The one that is “great” will be the one that improves the young player’s skills and ability in the batter’s box and makes the game more fun.
Youth Baseball Bats Making The Selection
Drop: The selection of the best youth baseball bat is determined by a variety of factors, including the weight and length of the bat in relation to the size of the player. A bat that is 28” long and 18 ounces in weight is considered to have a bat drop of -10. This means that a 28”/18oz bat would be significantly lighter than a 30”/24oz bat and much easier to control.
Diameter: Relates to thickness of the baseball bats’ barrel. A number of standard diameter measurements are available. Selecting the right one depends on two things. One, your league’s requirements and two your athlete’s size. If your young athlete is playing in the Youth Leagues or in Little League, 2 ¼ inch is often the maximum diameter allowed. However, there are some leagues that allow players to have a larger diameter baseball bat. The bigger the player, the more likely they are to feel comfortable with a larger bat.
It is also important to understand the varying factors of the type of grip that feels good in the little athlete’s hands. For example, do they like to choke up on the bat handle when hitting. The action of choking up actually shortens the length of the bat. If it is a natural habit to choke up on the bat, the player should make the adjustments accordingly to ensure it has the right feel and weight in the batter’s box. In other words, it is important to understand exactly what length fits best for which athlete, based on its length and weight components to determine its bat drop and the best diameter.
Cheapbats.com is glad to answer questions and guide youth baseball bat selection for young athletes. Take a look at some examples of youth bats.
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