Need to get son a wood bat. How are wood bats sized?He uses a 33 inch metal bat and he is 5'10' 195 lbs. Any recommendations of size?
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30 oz.
When my son was younger (before he swung a -3 metal bat) I always got him a wood bat that was 1 inch shorter than what he'd use in the spring, for his winter workouts. Since now he's swinging -3 metal, it doesn't really matter (IMO).
Get him the same size wood bat. Most wood bats are -2. In actuality metal bats are -2 or very close to it. The -3 drop is before the gripping goes on the bat.
My son uses an EXO. I was fortunate to find out from a Lousville Slugger rep the wood equivilant is the C243.
My son uses an EXO. I was fortunate to find out from a Lousville Slugger rep the wood equivilant is the C243.
Let him to use the bat he can handle. Let him to swing different sizes until he find the one he fell better.
From the HITTING forum - Basic Batsmanship
Choosing a Bat
Using the above technics to generate bat speed, the lighter the bat, the faster the swing. The heavier the bat, the greater force generated at impact.
One now wants to seek out that bat that will allow the greatest bat speed while generating the maximum force at impact.
This can be done in many ways. There are labs or sports clinics where the speed of your swing can be measured as well as the force of impact. One can also use trial and error on a field hitting balls with various lengths and weights of bats.
Using the proper bat and the proper mechanics will generate the greatest bat speed and the greatest force at impact.
.
Choosing a Bat
Using the above technics to generate bat speed, the lighter the bat, the faster the swing. The heavier the bat, the greater force generated at impact.
One now wants to seek out that bat that will allow the greatest bat speed while generating the maximum force at impact.
This can be done in many ways. There are labs or sports clinics where the speed of your swing can be measured as well as the force of impact. One can also use trial and error on a field hitting balls with various lengths and weights of bats.
Using the proper bat and the proper mechanics will generate the greatest bat speed and the greatest force at impact.
.
quote:One now wants to seek out that bat that will allow the greatest bat speed while generating the maximum force at impact.
Take the bat.........hold it in your dominant hand (righties-right hand) (Lefties-left hand) at the bottom of the knob. Hold the bat straight out at shoulder height....if you can not control the bat by holding it steady, drop down in size until you can....
This method effectively gives you the heaviest bat you can control.....
The biggest mistake I see in youth ball across the board is players trying to use too large a bat.....
I agree. The problem is well intentioned, but unknowledgeble parents buy their kids the latest, greatest expensive hitting weapon. The kid becomes married to the bat due to the cost. No matter how the kid hits the parent wants him using the bat they bought.quote:Originally posted by piaa_ump:
The biggest mistake I see in youth ball across the board is players trying to use too large a bat.....
When I was a kid (my kids hate this) we had team bats. If we didn't like the bat, we tried another. In Legion, with a sixty game season following twenty-five high school games, if we got tired we went to a lighter bat.
When buying a wood bat, -3 is pushing the weight difference that you would want.
From the MaxBats website:
"Anytime you choose a lighter bat, you are choosing a weaker bat. Many players today are so used to swinging the ultra light aluminum bats, that it�s hard mentally picture themselves swinging anything heavier than a -3. The fact is that most everyone can handle a heavier wood bat. And the heavier the bat, the stronger it is and will have more pop."
Getting a heavier bat makes the bat less likely to break. The thicker the handle is also make a difference in bat strength.
From the MaxBats website:
"Anytime you choose a lighter bat, you are choosing a weaker bat. Many players today are so used to swinging the ultra light aluminum bats, that it�s hard mentally picture themselves swinging anything heavier than a -3. The fact is that most everyone can handle a heavier wood bat. And the heavier the bat, the stronger it is and will have more pop."
Getting a heavier bat makes the bat less likely to break. The thicker the handle is also make a difference in bat strength.
I agree with having him swing a few bats to see what he likes. That said, a few generalities for a kid who hasn't swung wood before.
#1 If you're going to err on size, err toward smaller and lighter.
#2 If you're going to err on profile, err toward a slimmer profile like an M110 rather than a C243.
#3 If he doesn't have a lot of experience with wood, buy him ash to get started. He won't notice the difference between that and maple, but your pocket will. There are plenty of excellent ash bats to choose from.
#4 Buy him some blem bats for BP. They are very good bats with, usually, only cosmetic blemishes and are just as durable. You'll save some coin this way.
Good luck, you're making a wise decision to introduce him to wood.
PS one more thing to consider. Think about getting him a Brett Bat, or similar. They're much more durable and you're still swinging wood. He'll learn to hit with wood, and you'll save money.
#1 If you're going to err on size, err toward smaller and lighter.
#2 If you're going to err on profile, err toward a slimmer profile like an M110 rather than a C243.
#3 If he doesn't have a lot of experience with wood, buy him ash to get started. He won't notice the difference between that and maple, but your pocket will. There are plenty of excellent ash bats to choose from.
#4 Buy him some blem bats for BP. They are very good bats with, usually, only cosmetic blemishes and are just as durable. You'll save some coin this way.
Good luck, you're making a wise decision to introduce him to wood.
PS one more thing to consider. Think about getting him a Brett Bat, or similar. They're much more durable and you're still swinging wood. He'll learn to hit with wood, and you'll save money.
You really need to have the player swing the wood bat, there is a lot of difference in the balance of the styles/models of wood bats, that the weight or length can effect.
JIM'S DAD HERE-----one of the best wood bat companies is barnstable bat company in cape cod . they supply bats for the best college kids in the cap cod league . i got a very in depth interview with the owner. please dont buy mlb name brand wood bats they are not giving you the quality for the dollar .your paying the ins. premium for selling bats to mlb and getting the lower class wood .
the type of wood and its design will determine what type of player it is best for . balance point is key to matching the bat they are used to . grain structure determines strength. weight can vary by style ,moisture content and type . my son is best with a 32" -3 end loaded alum. bat . his best wood bat to date was custom designed by barnstable to his swing and believe it or not is a 32" -5 birch #243 with cup. it is the closet thing to a demarini voodoo in balance .... the bat is just plain awesome for a power hitter !!! what ever type of hitter your son is they can get it right . ash,birch,maple
the type of wood and its design will determine what type of player it is best for . balance point is key to matching the bat they are used to . grain structure determines strength. weight can vary by style ,moisture content and type . my son is best with a 32" -3 end loaded alum. bat . his best wood bat to date was custom designed by barnstable to his swing and believe it or not is a 32" -5 birch #243 with cup. it is the closet thing to a demarini voodoo in balance .... the bat is just plain awesome for a power hitter !!! what ever type of hitter your son is they can get it right . ash,birch,maple
Why would you have a high school age player swing a -5? He has to swing a -3 in high school.quote:Originally posted by JimSmith#15:
JIM'S DAD HERE-----one of the best wood bat companies is barnstable bat company in cape cod . they supply bats for the best college kids in the cap cod league . i got a very in depth interview with the owner. please dont buy mlb name brand wood bats they are not giving you the quality for the dollar .your paying the ins. premium for selling bats to mlb and getting the lower class wood .
the type of wood and its design will determine what type of player it is best for . balance point is key to matching the bat they are used to . grain structure determines strength. weight can vary by style ,moisture content and type . my son is best with a 32" -3 end loaded alum. bat . his best wood bat to date was custom designed by barnstable to his swing and believe it or not is a 32" -5 birch #243 with cup. it is the closet thing to a demarini voodoo in balance .... the bat is just plain awesome for a power hitter !!! what ever type of hitter your son is they can get it right . ash,birch,maple
Thanks for all the discussion. Son has decided to go with a Brett Bro. bat 32 -3.