All Youth Bat Buying Resources

Need help finding the right Youth bat? We can help.

Youth baseball bats feature a 2 1/4 inch barrel diameter and are often lighter, with a length to weight ratio between -8 and -13.5. Youth bats are used by younger players that play in leagues that mandate a bat with a 2 1/4 inch barrel.

If you have any of the questions listed on the left, click on them to see our official answers!

How do I select a Youth baseball bat?

This chart is nothing more than an approximation of what size bat a player may need.  When selecting a bat, you should take in to consideration your comfort level with the size you are currently swinging.  Also take in to account that much of the process of picking the perfect bat is personal preference.  Many players like a heavier bat for more power, while others like to swing a lighter bat to gain more control and bat speed.  If you have absolutely no idea what size to select, try some of your teammates' bats.  Experimenting with swinging different sizes allows players to compare and contrast what they like and what sizes they can properly handle.

For those of you not familiar with term length to weight ratio (also referred to as "drop"), this refers to weight in ounces less than length in inches.  For instance, a bat that is 32" 22oz would have a length to weight ratio of -10 because 32-22=10.

How do I take care of a youth baseball bat?

Break-in Period
If you are buying an aluminum bat, there is no break-in necessary.  Aluminum bats are generally as hot as they are going to get as soon as you take them out of the wrapper. With composite barreled bats, you will have to spend some time getting them ready to perform at their peak.  Generally composite bats are going to need around 150 to 200 hits on them to start performing up to their potential.  When breaking in a composite bat, it is important to start off at about 50% power and gradually increase as your swing count rises.  It is also important to rotate the bat about a 1/4 inch on every swing.  This ensures that your bat gets evenly broken in. 

Temperature
Composite bats tend to be much more sensitive to temperature than alloy bats.  Many manufacturers have their own suggestions on minimum temperatures that their bats should be used in. However, as a rule of thumb, alloy bats should never be used in temperatures under 50 degrees, while composites should not be used in temperatures under 60 degrees.  There isn't a maximum temperature that you should avoid using your bat in; however composite bats tend to have slightly increased pop in hotter weather.

Additional Tips

• Limit the use of your game bat in the batting cage.  Save the wear and tear for when it really matters: in the game.
• Do not use dimpled balls to practice with.  These balls can have damaging effects on your bat.
• Limit the number of teammates that use the same bat.  Bats DO break.  The fewer hits on the bat, the longer it should last.
• Do not use your bat to knock dirt off of your cleats.  This can damage the bat.
• If using a wood bat, swing with the label facing toward you.  This is a common mistake, and can lead to a prematurely broken bat.

What types of youth baseball bats are there?

One-Piece vs. Two-Piece
One-piece baseball bats use the same material throughout the entire design.  The advantage of the one-piece design is that you get a stronger, stiffer bat that is generally favored by power hitters looking for as little flex as possible.  In two-piece baseball bats you'll find that the handle is a separate piece from the barrel and that the two are bonded together.  The advantage to a two-piece bat is that its design allows the barrel to flex at the point of contact creating a trampoline effect off the barrel.  Two-piece bats generally have less vibration in the handle due to the separation of the handle and barrel.

Alloy vs. Composite vs. Hybrid
Alloy bats are generally constructed with a one-piece design out of aluminum or aluminum that is mixed with other metals to make a stronger product.  The advantage to this strength is that it allows alloy bats can have thinner, more responsive barrel walls.  Composite bats, on the other hand, are made out of a mixture of carbon fiber, graphite, fiberglass, and sometimes Kevlar.  Many leagues are beginning to ban composite-barreled bats because, as they are used, the carbon fiber weave begins to become more responsive and much "hotter" than the current standards allow.  Check your league rules before buying a composite-barreled bat.  Hybrid bats feature a two-piece design in which an alloy barrel is bonded to a composite handle.  This makes the handle lighter and allows the alloy barrel to be made longer than on a traditional alloy bat.

Wood
Wood bats are most commonly made from Ash, Maple, Bamboo, or Composite Wood.  Maple is stronger than Ash, while Bamboo serves as the strongest and tends to last a little longer.  Ash is bit softer which allows it to flex during the swing and produce a great whip through the hitting zone leading to better bat control. Maple is harder and denser than ash. Many power hitters like maple because of the hardness and stiffness so that they can exert as much force as possible onto the ball.  Composite Wood bats are a mixture of wood and composite materials. They are very durable but are not legal in many leagues.  Youth wood baseball bats generally have an approximate length to weight ratio between -4 and -8.

What are the current rules and regulations regarding youth baseball bats?

Composite Ban
Little League and Cal Ripken leagues have banned the use of composite-barreled bats effective January 1, 2011.  Manufacturers are able to apply for one year waivers for their composite bats, and testing is currently under way.  A few bats have received waivers already and you can find a full list of approved bats here.  BaseballBats.com will prominently display which youth composite bats have received a waiver underneath the picture of the specific bat.

This does not mean that all composite youth bats are banned in all leagues.  Currently, these bats are only banned in a couple of leagues.  The majority of youth players can still use composite-barreled bats.  Check with your league director if you are unsure of the rules governing your league.

Hybrid bats, that is bats with a composite handle and alloy barrel, ARE LEGAL for all leagues at this point in time.  The ban only applies to bats with a composite barrel.

BPF 1.15
Youth bats are almost universally governed by the 1.15 BPF.  BPF stands for Bat Performance Factor, and measures the how fast the ball comes off the bat.  Bats must meet this BPF standard in order to be approved for play.  Nearly all youth bats are stamped with the 1.15 BPF mark.