OK, my 11 year old is a bigger kid. Not huge but big. He has used a 31 inch for a few years, well today his composite decides to crack and his aluminum is dented. Should he move up to a 32" right before travel season, or stick to the 31"?
Thoughts/opinions?
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Length, IMO, is inconsequential. Weight is more important.
Longer bat slows down swing. I believe the correct length is just as or more important than the weight. Several websites have guidlines for bat length based on size of player; believe justbats has an online calcator. Based on his age and he's used same length for a couple of years it may be time for a longer one.
I took my 14u to a HUGE baseball store in the Atlanta area and he was told he was border line between a 31 and a 32. He's around 5'10 and 150#'s.
If I had to guess, the 31 your 11u kid is swinging is too long for him, which equates to too heavy, which equates to poor swing mechanics trying to get the bat around.
if the boy is 11 he probably doesn't have any weight restrictions. a 32/20 can be lethal weapon in youth ages. that being said I can't imagine a 31 is to small for him, I would actually bet against it.
If he was swinging a 31 well why change that heading into the summer season? I would stick to the 31 for the summer and think about transitioning in the offseason and testing some different sizes.
yes, good idea. sticking with a 31 for now.
