Things to Consider When Picking a Youth Baseball Bat

As parents, most of us want to get involved in our young kids' athletic development as much as possible. We want to encourage them, give them advice and support them in different ways. Choosing the right baseball equipment for them falls part of that "responsibility." It is important to be able to find gear that are suitable for them, because if not, there is a good chance that they will commit one mistake too many. This could lead to frustration and perhaps eventually to a decision to give up playing entirely. Baseball is no different. One of the pieces of equipment that requires careful attention when choosing is the bat. Here are some important things to consider when choosing an appropriate baseball bat for your son: Certifications. Bat certifications are in place to make sure that the sport of baseball remains balanced and fair. Almost every year, sanctioning bodies such as the USSSA publish lists of bats that are not accepted in their tournaments. Every non-wood bat from every manufacturer needs to pass the tests implemented by these bodies before they can be allowed for play. Cleared bats receive stamps, and since criteria for certification vary among these organizations, it is not uncommon for a bat to bear more than one organization stamp. Sanctioning bodies, however, are unanimous that non-wood bats should bear BBCOR and 1.15 BPF stamps. detail composition of baseball batBan on Composite Bats. Certain youth leagues have placed a ban on composite bats. They include Little League Major Baseball Division and Cal Ripken youth tournaments. Some composite bats have received waivers, however, because they have been proven to meet the BPF (Bat Performance Factor)standard, determined through the ABI (Accelerated Break-In) process, throughout their lives. The ban is in place because of the unique characteristic of composite bats to get exceptionally hotter as they age. If you are not sure about the certification rules your son's league follows or whether they uphold the ban on composite bats, please consult the league director. Size. Sometimes referred to as small barrel bats, youth bats have a barrel diameter not bigger than 2¼ inches (compared to senior league/big barrel baseball bats' 2¼ to 2 5/8 or 2 ¾ inches). The length should be between 28 to 32 inches. Most youth bats have a drop weight between -10 to -13.5 (the drop weight is the bat weight-to-length ratio, taken by subtracting the length from the weight; the higher the drop weight, the lighter the bat). To determine the right length, some folks use the following techniques: standing on the batter's box with a bat on hand, the child is able to reach the fat part of the barrel to the outside back line of the plate; when stood upright, the bat should reach where the child's hand naturally falls around his hip area (he should not be leaning sideways or bending his knees in order to touch it). Most stores have a bat approximation/recommendation chart. It lists players' height in inches and weight in pounds along different axes. The point where your son's height meets his weight is the recommended bat length for him. For the proper weight, choose the heaviest one that your son can swing without feeling strained. Material. As stated above composite bats are strictly regulated by several major organizations. Aluminum and wood bats are your remaining options if in case your son's league officials do not allow composite. Keep in mind that wood bats feel more natural but can crack or break more easily than aluminum or composite (an additional factor is that using wood bats at an early age may serve as preparation for playing in the big league, where only wood bats are allowed). Aluminum bats are more durable and have a slight trampoline effect, but may be more expensive. David P. is an Online Content Manager that mostly writes about Baseball and Softball equipments, Baseball Bats , Softball Bats and Sporting goods. You can connect on Facebook at his Facebook page or name. Rate this Article

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David Whitfield has published 6 articles. Article submitted on March 26, 2013. Word count: 624