Use Baseball Bat Specifications
to choose the right Bat

Baseball bat specifications will help select the right baseball bat. A correctly configured bat will increase your performance. You need to consider the bat weight, length and shape.

A player's height, weight and strength determine the bat weight.

1. For Little League players, the bat weight is about 16-20 ounces, depending on the height and strength of the player.
2. For Youth Leagues, usually players who are 11-12 years old, the weight should be about 18-23 ounces. Players who weigh 70-80 lbs should use 18-19 oz bats. Heavier players should use 21-23 oz bats.
3. High School and College players should use bats weighing 27-33 ounces, depending on the player's height and weight.

Heavier bats usually produce more power, while lighter bats create more bat speed. The bat's weight can be listed as a negative number. A 32 inch bat with a bat weight of -3 weighs 29 oz (32-3).

Baseball bat specifications vary for the various leagues. For Youth Leagues the length of a bat ranges from 26 to 31 inches. For high school and college the length is 32 to 36 inches.

When looking at the shape of a bat, consider its barrel, taper and grip.

1. Most barrels are 2 1/2, 2 5/8 or 2 9/16 inches in diameter.
2. The Taper is the handle diameter. It should provide a comfortable grip. For most bats the taper is 31/32 of an inch.
3. The material for the grip can be leather, synthetic leather or rubber. Rubber tends to absorb more of the sting.

A variety of materials are used to make bats:

1. Wood bats are mainly used in Major league Baseball. Some high schools and colleges still use wood bats for safety reasons.
2. Aluminum bats can be made from a variety of alloys.
3. Graphite bats are stronger and lighter than aluminum bats.
4. Titanium bats generally have an aluminum core and titanium lining.