Rational Youth Baseball:

Selecting a bat.

To hit one needs a bat. The size of the bat (length, weight, and diameter) may be restricted by league rules so if your player is in a league (or two), please check for such limitations before buying a bat. In general, the player should have the longest, heaviest, and "fattest" bat he can swing at full speed.

Reasons for a long bat: first, the plate is 17 inches wide. This is true from the major leagues all the way down to t-ball leagues. Short players have short arms and they can reach more of the strike zone with a longer bat. Second, they are able to stand a little further from the plate with a long bat and that helps make them less afraid of being hit by the pitch.

Reasons to have a heavy bat: first, the ball weighs over four ounces and the bat can be less than 20 ounces for some bats. The lighter the bat, the more the bat bounces off the ball instead of the ball bouncing off the bat. When bat and ball are moving in opposite directions, the bat will slow when it hits the ball. The velocity of the bat as the ball leaves the bat will determine how fast the ball will be going. The heavier the bat, the faster the ball will be going when the ball leaves the bat given the same bat speed. Second, the youth player will have the bat for several years (given good care of the bat) and a heaver bat will be suitable for a longer period than a lighter bat. Third, the youth player will become stronger from swinging a heavier bat than from swinging a lighter bat.

Reasons to have a thick bat: first, the thicker the barrel of the bat near the "sweet spot," the more likely the bat is to make contact with the ball on the swing. There is more hitting surface. Second, the ball is more likely to be hit solidly (line drive) the larger the hitting surface. Third, the larger barrel of the bat gives the player more confidence that he will make contact. Fourth, in bunting, the ball is less likely to be popped up. Fifth, in bunting, the player's top hand can feel the proper position on the bat more easily.