What Size Baseball Bat Do I Need?

Measurements

• Baseball bats are measured by length, weight and barrel size. Lengths range from 24 to 34 inches. Weights start at 16 oz. for youngsters and increase to 31 oz. for high school and college players. Barrel size for most bats for players under age 10 is 2 1/4 inches. A few middle school bats are 2 5/8 inches, and high school and college bats are 2 3/4 inches.

Age Appropriateness

• Age Weight Range Length Range Barrel
  7 & under 16-18 oz. 24-28 inches 2 1/4
  8-10 18-21 oz. 26-28 inches 2 1/4
  11-12 20-24 oz. 28-32 inches 2 1/4 - 2 5/8
  13-14 25-30 oz . 29-33 inches 2 1/4 - 2 3/4
  15+ 27-31 oz. 30-33 inches 2 1/4 - 2 3/4

Handle Size

• Handles will vary slightly in size, and it is important that a bat feels comfortable in your hand. Small hands need a thinner handle, whereas players with larger hands can be choosier in terms of an ideal feel. Remember, grip the bat with the fingers, not the palm.

Rule of Thumb

• Tradition suggests a bat should be about the length of a player's arm, measuring from the arm pit to the end of the fingers. In truth, most players' bats are two or three inches longer than that. Be aware that too short a bat will prevent a player from covering the entire plate, and too long a bat will generate a slower, looping swing.

Restrictions

• Several years ago, college baseball required that all bats have a "minus 3" ratio between the bat's length and weight. For example, a 33-inch bat must weigh 30 ounces. That applies for most high schools throughout the United States as well. Most middle school players can use a "minus 5" ratio.

Key to Success

• The key is finding a bat you can control throughout the swing with a loose grip. You should be able to hold the bat comfortably at a 45-degree angle in order to handle all types of pitches.