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15 replies

Wood Bat for Son???

M Marklaker1,000+ posts
I’m thinking about picking up a wood bat for my soon to be 11 year old son to practice with. I’ve read that discovering and utilizing the smaller “sweet spot” of the wood bat can benefit a hitter’s development and help prepare him for successive levels when the length/weight ratio declines and the aluminum is not nearly as forgiving. Can some of you please share your thoughts on this concept?

On the flip side, I'm concerned about "confusing" him by adding a heavier bat (currently using a 31/21) with less optimal hitting area. He's having a pretty successful fall travel season and I don't want to disrupt it. If the wooden bat is indeed beneficial, perhaps I should wait for the off-season to add it to our batting practice routine?

I'm interested in hearing what you more experienced folks have to offer on this subject.

Thanks!
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TB The Beast1,000+ posts
I would wait till he gets a little older. Wood bats tend to be a little heavy for younger kids. My son didn't start swinging wood till he was around 13 or 14. Younger kids tend to drop the barrel after a few swings because of the weight. Unless you can find a bat that is lighter. Most wood bats are a -3. Our high school coach makes everybody (Freshman - Seniors) swing wood starting in the fall all the way up to the first offical practice of spring.
Last edited by The Beast
Bolts-Coach-PRBolts-Coach-PR10,000+ posts
I think it helps a lot... Takes a little more consistency and repeatability in your swing to make good contact on the barrel...

My son has used a wood bat to practice for a while now since age 9 - Just turned 11, and it's added variety to hitting sessions, and he thinks it's cool...

He's been using a Louisville Slugger Pro Stock Lite C271 in a 30"... He's broken a few, and a few have frayed on the barrel from use, so at $40 to $50 a pop they're NOT cheap...

-Good Luck
Last edited by Bolts-Coach-PR
Bolts-Coach-PRBolts-Coach-PR10,000+ posts
He's been using 3 bats in games... all 30"... all -9...

- SL206 TPX Dynasty, 2 3/4" Barrel, Senior League Bat

- Easton Stealth Comp LCN7, 2 1/4" Barrel, League-Ball Bat

- EASTON STEALTH COMP BCN14... 2 5/8 barrel Senior League Bat - it's end-loaded which will make it feel heavier than a similar length...

The LS Pro Stock Lite is a -3 bat, but actually feels the same (according to him) in swingweight as the BCN14...
M Marklaker1,000+ posts
Bolts:

Sorry, one more question. Did you notice any problems or unwanted/erroneous adjustments in the transition between wood to aluminum, at least initially? In otherwords, after swinging with the wood bat for a spell, do you feel he developed any detriments in his aluminum mechanics that you had to adjust?

I was considering a few wood bats that are -5 rather than -3. Perhaps I might want to reconsider?

Thanks
BOFBOF10,000+ posts
My son's coach insists all his kids hit with wood off the T and in BP and all lessons, regardless of age.

Get him a standard wood bat at the length he uses. Let him start by hitting it off the T and then work it into BP. All BP should be with wood, and then either game day or day before game day hit with his metal bat.

He may struggle a little at first but WOW just watch out for next season. I wish I had started my son earlier on wood.

Good Luck!
BS Brian Shanberg100+ posts
I have an 11 year old that has been swinging wood in practice for the last 3 years with respectable results.
DBat makes a drop -8 big barrel wood bat that would be very similar in weight to an aluminum bat. However, we broke one in batting practice. Since its big barrel and light, its a great bat for wood bat tournaments, but the durability for daily practice hitting is questionable.
My favorite is the BWP wood bat. The youth version is a drop -6 w/ standard size barrel. Very durable. The drop -6 minimizes the transition to his hightech game bat which is drop -8.5.
BS Brian Shanberg100+ posts
I use wood for hitter feedback that you may not get with a high-tech alum or carbon fibre bat. Smaller sweetspot in a wood bat means a mis-hit doesn't get masked by bat technology available in alum or carbon fibre. Wood makes it easier to see and adjust to problems with the swing. Also, the drop may help a young or small hitter swing with proper mechanics.
BS Brian Shanberg100+ posts
Diablo
You're quoting without complete context. Which doesn't help anyone in a discussion forum. No one here is going to be able to help you with what K thru 12 should of taught you...

My suggestion is to lighten up on the devil's advocate trolling and just try some workouts and do some research.
I'm no expert on hitting. There are plenty of experts on this site. Not all will agree. Not all need to.
Wood bats are cheap equipment. I've seen positive results of adding wood to the workouts. Nothing more, nothing less.

Keep smiling.
Done with this discussion.
DC Diablo con Huevos500+ posts
Then do your research, Mr. My-Son-Has-Been-Swinging-Wood-Since-He-Was-Eight.

An eight year old swinging wood is the result of other issues that will probably hamper him down the road... just like the parent that wants their kid playing "select" as early as possible because the competition is so much better...

or the parent that thinks 150 games a year is perfect for their son... until he has that arm surgery at age 16 and blames it on the high school coach even though it was a chronic injury not an acute one...

You just can't see the trees because of the forest.

"More players never reach their overall potential due to lack of proper instruction rather than due to lack of ability."
-Rod Dedeaux

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