Baseball is enjoyed by people of all ages and is a popular sport around the world. A good, sturdy baseball bat is essential to learning the fundamentals of baseball batting, including basic arm positions, and how to swing, as well as perfecting your technique, and enjoying the game that much more.
There are a wealth of baseball bats on the market, which can be daunting when shopping for a new bat, however, there are several factors that play an important role when looking for a new baseball bat, such as comfort, durability, and performance.
Baseball is enjoyed by people of all ages.
Best Baseball Bat Buying Guide
Certain types of baseball bats are designed for specific types of players. Whether you are a beginner or a professional player, a good bat can help to hone your skills. Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a baseball bat.
Length
The length of a baseball bat is an important aspect and varies from player to player. A long bat may give you a lot of coverage but can make it difficult to swing the bat with enough speed. A short bat will provide speed but won’t offer much coverage. So, what length do you need and how do you determine which one to buy? Here are a few steps to follow:
- Place the handle of the bat at the center of your chest, pointing it towards your arm’s side.
- See if you can reach the top of the bat easily.
- If you can touch the bat’s top with your fingertips, it is the correct length for you.
- Now, position the bat’s handle at the center of your chest and point it outward.
- See if you can comfortably grab the barrel of the bat.
- If you can comfortably grab the barrel of the bat, then it is the perfect length.
- Finally, stand up and place the bat against your leg’s side so that the bat’s handle touches your palm when you reach out.
- If it does, then the baseball bat is of appropriate length.
Weight
The weight of a baseball bat is important as it determines the number of swings you can take. A baseball bat that is light in weight allows you to take multiple swings and hit great distances it releases enough energy into the ball. Heavy bats tend to consume the energy while swinging the bat rather than transferring it to the ball or end of the bat.
The drop weight of the bat is the difference between the bat’s length and weight and the higher the drop weight, the lighter is the bat. Professional players tend to go for higher drop weight so that they can hit the ball easily without much pressure.
Material
The material used in the construction of a baseball bat also influences the performance of the bat. There are three types of baseball bats – alloy, composite, hybrids.
Composite bats are made with single-layered fiber material, usually, wood and are easy to make as the weight distribution of the bat can be controlled. These types of baseball bats come in two forms: balanced and end-loaded forms.
Balanced bats have an even weight distribution, while end-loaded bats have more weight towards the barrel’s end. These types of end-loaded bats provide heavier swing weight, making it easier to hit the ball with less pressure.
Alloy bats are usually constructed with metal like aluminum and are extremely light in weight. These types of bats are made from a mixture of several metals and are very hardy and do not get damaged easily. Hybrid bats are a mixture of alloy and composite bats in which the handle is made with composite material and the barrel with alloy. These bats are both lightweight and anti-vibration due to the composite handles and are durable, have a good swing weight, and are affordable due to the alloy metal barrel.
Composite bats are made with a single-layered fiber material, usually wood.
Construction Method
Baseball bats are made using either one-piece or two-piece construction methods. With the one-piece construction method, the complete bat, from the end to the barrel, is made with a single material such as wood or any type of metal.
One-piece construction bats are extremely balanced and provide good swing speed to hit the ball with force. They also have less flex and prevent energy loss, and do not have any vibration or dampening effect that usually happens due to extreme pressure.
Baseball bats with a two-piece construction have a connection between the bat’s barrel and handle. Due to the connector, the vibrations that occur when the player hits the ball are dampened. This fused connector between the barrel and the handle also with more flex and whip in the swing, which helps in improving the bat’s speed. Bats with two-piece construction, however, are expensive.
Best Baseball Bat
Best Overall: BARNETT Wooden Bat
The Barnett Wooden Bat is a good wooden bat for both beginners and professional baseball players. Weighing just 15 ounces, this composite wood bat is light in weight and can handle softballs easily, and is ideal for daily training and honing skills.
Made from high-quality porous wood with even weight distribution, this bat offers a well-balanced feel and is available in four different sizes for different types of baseball players.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Available in four sizes
- Solid one-piece construction design
- Even weight distribution
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Best Budget Bat: SZYT Baseball Bat
The SZYT Baseball Bat is budget-friendly and is perfect for some light practice with children. Made from aluminum and weighing just 14 ounces, this bat is extremely lightweight and very durable. It has a slim handle with an anti-skid rubber grip that ensures a good grip when swinging and hitting, drop weight of around -14, and a maximum diameter of 1.9 inches.
Pros
- Lightweight design with a slim handle
- Rubber grip anti-skid absorbs shock
- Solid one-piece construction design
- Drop weight of -14
Cons
- Can only be used with softballs
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Best for Beginners: KOTIONOK Baseball Bat
For beginners, a light metal baseball bat would be a perfect choice as they are durable and provide a nice grip. This bat from KOTIONOK is designed for players who are still learning the rules of the game. It is constructed with aluminum alloy that makes it durable and lightweight. The baseball bat has a rubber, anti-skid handle grip that absorbs shock and vibrations.
Pros
- A slip-resistant rubber handle grip to dampen vibrations
- Good weight distribution
- Solid one-piece construction design
- Drop weight of -14
Cons
- Best used with soft-core tee balls only – not suitable for hard-core balls and machine balls
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Best Value for Money: Rawlings Raptor Baseball Bat
The Rawlings Raptor baseball bat is designed as per the USA bat standards and is a major league-approved bat that is sturdy and extremely durable. Constructed with a high-quality aluminum alloy, the bat has a drop weight of -10 that provides good swing speed, is highly responsive, and has excellent flex for hitting the ball over great distances.
Pros
- Major League-approved bat
- Drop weight of -10 with a great swing speed
- Lightweight and durable
Cons
- Best for ages 10 and under
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Easton TYPHOON Baseball Bat
The Easton TYPHOON baseball bat is constructed with ALX100 military-grade alloy which makes it a very durable and long-lasting bat. It has a concave end cap that provides good balance, and it has an enlarged sweet spot that makes it an ideal bat for performing a range of different swings.
The Easton TYPHOON baseball bat has a drop weight of -12 providing a good swing and energy transfer from the bat to the handle. The barrel of the bat measures 2-1/4 inches in diameter, it has a 2.2mm flex-grip for better comfort. The bat is designed as per USA bat standards so it can be used for league matches.
Pros
- Major League-approved bat
- Made from military-grade alloy that increases its durability
- Drop weight of -12 with a great swing speed
- The large sweet spot for performing various types of swings
Cons
- Best for children
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Farsler Baseball Bat
The Farsler Baseball Bat has a solid, one-piece design that is well-balanced and provides proper weight distribution. Constructed from aluminum alloy, the bat is lightweight, yet still extremely durable and sturdy, and due to its well-balanced construction, it has an excellent swing speed.
The 25-inch long bat boasts a slip-resistant rubber grip to dampen vibrations and shocks that occur due to the transfer of energy from the handle towards the two-inch barrel. However, this bat is only suitable for softballs and can bend if it comes in contact with hard or machine balls.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable
- Even weight distribution for better balance
- Anti-skid rubber grip for absorbing shock
Cons
- Only suitable for softballs
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Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat
The Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat is a high-quality, Sl hyper alloy baseball bat with an LS Pro grip. The bat’s one-piece design provides even weight distribution throughout the bat, which is designed with tack and cushion for comfort.
Boasting a 2-5/8 inch diameter barrel, the Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat is a USA major league-approved bat that has a speed ballistic composite end that improves swing speed and provides excellent control over the swing. The handle has an LS Pro comfort grip for the perfect combination of cushioning and tack.
Pros
- LS Pro comfort grip
- One-piece design provides even weight distribution
- Speed ballistic composite end that improves swing speed
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RIP-IT BBCOR AIR Baseball Bat
The RIP-IT BBCOR Air Baseball Bat is one of the best bats for big hitters on the market. It is a BBCOR.50 certified bat made from advanced R2 alloy aluminum which optimizes swing speed. The bat has a large, sweet spot that provides the hitter with the opportunity to drive the ball near the barrel.
The bat features revolutionary Rifle Barrel and AIR technology, resulting in a well-balanced bat with excellent control. It has a contact grip around the handle that provides stability, balance, and good handling, while still being comfortable to hold.
Pros
- Solid one-piece construction design
- BBCOR-certified bat
- Rifle Barrel and AIR technology
- Well-balanced and durable
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Louisville Slugger 2020 MLB Prime Wood Bat
The Louisville Slugger 2020 MLB Prime Wood Bat is a one-piece BBCOR-certified bat designed with “flex band technology” inside of the barrel. This design allows for the bat to have thinner walls, resulting in lighter swing weight, increased bat speed, and more generation of power from the hitter.
Pros
- Solid one-piece construction design
- BBCOR-certified bat
- Flex band technology for lighter swing weight and increased bat speed
- Well-balanced and durable
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Marucci F5 USSSA Senior League Baseball Bat
The Marucci F5 USSSA Senior League Baseball Bat is a rare two-piece bat with excellent handle stiffness and optimal swing speed. Although the bat has an uneven swing weight, it does provide unparalleled bat speed through the zone. Extremely lightweight and very durable, the bat has a slim handle with an anti-skid rubber grip that ensures a good grip when swinging and hitting.
Pros
- Two-piece construction
- Excellent handle stiffness
- Optimal swing speed
Cons
- Uneven swing weight
- Recommender for expert hitters and professional players
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Easton 2021 B5 PRO Big Barrel -3 BBCOR Baseball Bat
The Easton Mako BBCOR bat is an elite baseball bat that provides the unparalleled pop of a two-piece bat with a super stiff handle with good flex. Constructed from premium aluminum alloy, the bat has a ringless barrel design that uses different layers of alloy across the barrel to create a smooth feel.
The bat features VRS handle inserts to reduce vibration and create a solid feel and a speed cap provides a more flexible and responsive barrel. A premium grip provides a combination of cushion and tack, and the bat is BBCOR baseball league certified.
Pros
- Superior two-piece construction
- Ringless barrel design
- BBCOR baseball league-certified
- Premium grip for comfort and good handling
Cons
- Expensive
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DeMarini 2018 D243 Pro Maple Wood Composite Baseball Bat
The DeMarini 2018 D243 Pro Maple Wood Composite Baseball Bat is a two-piece bat with a carbon-reinforced paradox handle that promises supreme comfort and powerful hitting. Constructed from high-quality X10 alloy metal, the bat has new, thinner barrel walls and a composite handle, to optimize swing weight and ultimately bat speed.
Pros
- Superior two-piece construction
- Carbon-reinforced paradox handle
- BBCOR baseball league-certified
- Premium grip for comfort and good handling
Cons
- Expensive
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do the negative numbers printed on a baseball bat mean?
These numbers refer to the length-to-weight ratio or drop weight of the bat. This is determined by subtracting the length of the bat in inches, from the weight of the bat in ounces. For example, if the bat weighs 18 ounces, and it is 30 inches long, the number appearing on the bat would be -12.
How do I calculate the drop weight of a baseball bat?
To calculate the drop weight, you need to subtract the bat’s length from its weight. The higher the drop weight, the lighter the bat will be.
Is it important to get a baseball bat that is approved by major leagues?
Yes, it is important to get a bat that meets your league’s rules, as different leagues have different restrictions on weight, swing speed, and other factors.
What is “cupping”?
Cupping is the indentation made at the top of the bat to reduce its weight.
What is the “sweet spot” on a baseball bat, and where is it?
The sweet spot on a baseball bat refers to the place on the thick end of the bat, or the barrel, where contact is made for the best hit possible. Some players define this spot as the “center of percussion” on the barrel where you want to hit the ball. The “sweet spot” sits about 4-7 inches from the barrel end of a 30-inch little league baseball bat. It is known as the “sweet spot” as technically, hitting dead center on the sweet spot results in the smallest vibration of the baseball bat for a more comfortable-feeling hit, resulting in the most energy used to propel the ball forward.
Why are alloy bats so expensive?
Alloy bats are expensive because they are made with heavy-duty metal to provide the hitter with better control during play.
How do I take care of my baseball bat?
Taking care of your baseball bat will ensure it lasts a long time and provides you with a good performance every time you play.
- Store your baseball bat in a vertical position indoors at room temperature (ideally 60 degrees F). Extreme temperatures and weather conditions can affect the performance of your bat.
- Limit the use of your bat to hitting baseballs or softballs as hitting other things can damage the bat. Limit your bat’s use to official leather-bound regulation baseballs and softballs. Don’t bat water-logged balls.
- Routinely check your bat for damages. Most baseball bats come with a warranty and one year of protection.
- Rotate your bat about a quarter-inch after each swing. This is known as the DeMarini Rotation Index and evens out the hit load to the barrel, saving the bat over the long run.
Jacky has a degree in Sports Science and is a Certified Sports and Conditioning Coach. He has also worked with clients around the world as a personal trainer.
He has been fortunate enough to work with a wide range of people from very different ends of the fitness spectrum. Through promoting positive health changes with diet and exercise, he has helped patients recover from aging-related and other otherwise debilitating diseases.
He spends most of his time these days writing fitness-related content of some form or another. He still likes to work with people on a one-to-one basis – he just doesn’t get up at 5am to see clients anymore.