How to Read Bat Ratings

Reading baseball and softball bat ratings -- wooden, aluminum or composite -- refers to deciphering the codes and numbers that manufacturers print along the barrel of their bats or include with the sales information, not perusing reviews as written by buyers and consumers. The ratings have always been somewhat of challenge because there is no standard data shared among manufacturers. Also, some numbers don't apply to wooden bats. However, with recent National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rule changes regarding legal bats and many high schools following suit, correctly reading a bat rating is increasingly important.

Instructions

    • 1

      Read the "weight drop" on the bat barrel, which refers to a measurement of bat weight and is always shown as a negative number. Specifically, the weight drop is the difference between the length of the bat in inches and the weight of the bat in ounces. The higher the weight drop, the lighter the bat. For instance, Little League bat weight drop ranges from minus-7 to minus-13. A Little League DeMarini F3 bat is minus-10 and available in lengths from 28 to 32 inches. The weight of the 28-inch model is 18 ounces and the weight of the 32-inch is 22 ounces. According to baseballcorner.com, high school and college bats must be minus-3 as determined by the specific bodies governing the school, such as the NCAA.

    • 2

      Read the "barrel size" on the bat barrel, which is the diameter of the largest part of the bat. A longer and larger barrel typically translates into a bigger sweet spot for hitters. High school and college bats have a regulated barrel size of 2-5/8 inches, according to the NCAA rulebook.

    • 3

      Read the "bat taper" if displayed on the barrel. If not, ask a sales clerk or look at the bat specifications online. The taper is the diameter of the bat's handle and is usually 31/32 of an inch as a standard measurement. Individual preferences can be accommodated with some research, as this number is not regulated. Some hitters prefer bigger tapers to reduce the hand sting of inside pitches.