Youth Bat Recommendation

Greetings.  My son is 13U.  Been playing pretty high level travel ball for five seasons, and have tried many bats.  For the past 2-3 seasons we have used a Combat composite bat.  Have been really happy with them.  They are very lively (once broken in), and typically have a huge sweet spot.  Not good for any cold weather games.  This year he stepped up to the B3 (2011-12 model) Senior League 32/24.  Really seems to have a lot of pop, and we are still breaking it in.  If you can find an older model that is new, you can usually get a great deal, and it will still have warranty.  I never get the newest version of any bat.  Latest versions are too expensive, and typically are no different than previous years models.  Combat Composite.  That is the way I would go.  Good Luck.

My son will turn 11 in April and like Ohio Dad said, we got him a year-old Combat B4 -10 for around $80 on Ebay, new with warranty.

Certainly if you can find a closeout deal on last years model, that helps the pocketbook. 

At that age, I would consider a -8 bat.  My kid was about that size and used -8. Some of my kids friends played with -10's last year and they have developed really bad swings -- all arms/hands.   This year, he worked up to -5.  Remember he needs to be working his way to -3. 

If you don't go the closeout route, I would highly recommend finding a place that will let you hit a few different bats.  You'll pay full price but the ability to try out is priceless.  They have one around my town.  We spent an hour there hitting.  He tried different models and lengths.  We walked in thinking Exogrid and walked out with a Voodoo.  It was worth it.  Good luck. 

Ohio Dad. A 13U player should not be swinging a -8 bat. He should be swinging no less than a -5 if he's small. He's two years from high school ball and needing to swing a -3.

As for bat recommendations, don't take any. A bat is a personal thing. What may be the right bat in the hands of one kid is completely the wrong bat in the hands of another. Have your son try his friend's bats. Have him swing bats in stores. Then find the best deal online.

Thanks for the info, but he just turned 13, is in 7th grade, and most kids are still using -10's. Always love random comments when folks know very little of the situation.  And your point is?

I'm not sure it's random. RJM is saying if he has aspirations to play in high school, he needs to learn to swing a heavier bat by then, so it's best to have as much experience with heavier bats as possible.

One thing you could do is have him train with a wooden bat, which is typically around a drop 4 or 5 to get more experience with a heavier bat, while using the lighter bat in games.

My son turned 13 in August and is in 8th grade.  He swang a -5 last spring and summer and has swung a -3 wood since then.  Last winter he swung a -3 wood during workouts.  I had to increase the bat a couple of ounces a year until he got to that point.  It's true many kids still swing -10's and for little league that is fine.  But pre-HS and in HS they have to be comfortable with -3's.  The kids that swang -10's last year are having a tough time adapting to the heavier bat.  JMO.  Best of luck to you both this season.

My post was indirect, not random. I was indirectly suggesting don't take advice from a poster who doesn't know any better than to have his son swinging a -10 two years removed from high school. And your defense is everyone else around your son is making the same mistake. 

For anyone who wants good advice: Regardless of what bat your son needs to swing in a game to hit fast early bloomer pitching from 46-50 feet, have him start taking BP with a -3 or -5 wood bat. It will have him ready for a -3 or -5 when he's playing 13U. It will also train him to hit on the sweet spot to get the best results. Never use physical stature  as an excuse to use an excessively light bat in 13U. It's just a matter of training and practice.

The point is that the original poster beleives he wants a -10 bat.  He is certainly free to go that route, but at his son's age he should be considering a -8.  As he gets older, he should move to a -5 and then -3 in time for high school.

From what I have seen, players that stick with lighter bats too long develop bad habits allowed by the light bat.  I was with three of them last year at a training facility.  My kid was pounding the ball with his -8.  The other kids couldn't hit with any power.  As I watched and the dads asked me questions, I saw way too much hands and harms -- allowed by the light bats.  I had one of them start using a -8 and the difference was apparent.  IMO, the heavier bat forced the player to naturally keep his hands close and use his body more (like he was originally taught).  Just one man's opinoin.     

I'll second what RJM is saying about the wood bat.  My kid has been using wood to train for 3 years now.  Not only does it build strength, but give excellent feed back and punished mistakes.  It teaches him how to hit.

MDOGdad,

I know this isn't the info you came looking for but, regarding bats, the best thing you can do for your son besides proper incremental weight increases is to really de-emphasize the bat as the focal point of his hitting results.  The indian, not the arrow.  Yes, it is important that he find a bat that he feels good about regarding length, balance and weight but don't let him buy into the hype of bat performance.  Even if it is true to any extent, it will only take away from where his true focus should be regarding hitting.

I was in the business and overly preoccupied with bat technology.  I regret putting emphasis on that aspect in my early days of coaching (and parenting) players.  They deserve to fully understand that their hitting success will be 100% dependent on their efforts and ability. 

Best wishes. 

100% agree on Indian/Arrow analogy. 

Would you also agree that most young athletes also feel more confidence with a bat they like to swing? Especially at the little league level. A bat with a certain color scheme, brand, etc.... gives them a "looks good, play good" mindset. 

Good hitting technique,and game results require a bat that is not too heavy.  The biggest problem I typically see, is a kid swinging a bat that is too heavy.  Bat speed is critical to be successful.  By next year we will be using a -5.  That will be eighth grade.  Freshman year, go easily to a -3.  We always start our hitting with a wood bat that is a little too heavy, but also train with a SKILZ thin bat prior to using his game bat.  What is great about training in today's world is all the slow motion video out there.  Studying the best hitters in baseball (we like to watch Pujol's from the right side and Hamilton from the left) and watching all aspects of what they do (feet, knees, hips, trunk, wrists, hands, head) is THE best way to learn what a great swing should look like.  Strive to correct and perfect one area at a time, and great things can happen.  It just takes time.  Most folks in the know say that if you don't have pretty good swing mechanics by 12-13 y/o it will be a struggle to keep up.  Work hard!  

Some good responses and have to agree, IMO that the bat TYPE(characteristics) should be more emphasized than the bat Brand(popular)...ie; balanced, end loaded, stiff handle, flexible handle, composite, alloy etc... Then focus on the weight/length issue.  My middle son is 13, its his third season on the big field, second season he will swing a -3, occasionally using a -5 if we come across a real heater, but haven't seen one yet for this age group in our area.  He actually decided to swing primarily with wood this season, I told him I have no problem with that and was happy he made that choice.

Someone mentioned the problem they see is kids swinging bats that are to heavy, the biggest problem I see is that they all want to swing bats that are to long.

I also agree that unless they are really small, or maybe even first year on the big field, they should be swinging at least a  -5,  but really should be swinging a -3 if they are in 8th grade.

My young 11U (02/26/2002) has been swinging a -5 for 6 months and recently started doing tee work, etc. with a -3. He is a big boy (5'7, 150 lbs), but most of our parents are reluctant to move away from the -10s even though I have suggested moving to atleast a -8. I say sacrifice a little today for a chance tomorrow. Some of our players are going to have a tough time making the transition because they are waiting too late and are still very small in stature. IMHO, the sooner you get away from the -10s, the better in the long run.

This is great stuff folks (I'm the OP).  We've settled on a -8 for games and he's been using a -5 in practice.  Things seem to be working out well.

Regards!

Good choice. As he nears 13 I would get him to start using the -5 in games. 

MDOGDAD - Great choice!  Like Turn 22 says, try to progress towards the -5 by summer if not by the end of the spring season.  I did the same thing when my son was in 7th grade.  A -5 for games and a -3 for the cage. 

RJM has very valid points.  The goal is to be comfortable and confident with a -3 PRIOR to HS.  We have spring tryouts this Sat at our HS and i am sure a few Freshman will show up having never swung a -3.