Choosing The Right Baseball Bat

Whether you play Little League baseball or for a college team, buying a bat is a personal decision. New technology has delivered bats that not only enhance performance but also are tailored to an individual player's strengths. It is essential that you select a bat that fits your unique body configuration and skill level, height, weight, and hitting strength.

Understanding Bat Materials

The world of bats now offers a large variety of choices in materials. These can be broken into three primary categories: aluminum, graphite/titanium lined, and wood. Each provides its own unique characteristics and advantages for today's players.

Aluminum

• Aluminum is lighter in weight, which increases control and bat speed. Balls travel farther with aluminum over other metals.
• Despite generally higher costs than other materials, aluminum is durable and not prone to crack or break
• Aluminum bats come in a variety of alloys, each with a different weight
• Generally, lighter aluminum alloys are thinner and more durable. The one thing these have in common is that they are all different combinations of Zinc, Copper, Magnesium and Aluminum. The following is a list of the different alloys and their benefits.
  • 7046: This is the standard aluminum alloy used in most bats
  • CU31/7050: More durable than 7046, due to increased levels of zirconium, magnesium, and copper
  • C405/7055: Increased Zirconium content than 7050, giving higher strength
  • C555: 7% stronger than C405, has traces of scandium, which increases strength
• Lighter weight bats also increase the "sweet spot," the hitting zone on the bat's barrel that gives the maximum place to put metal to ball
• Aluminum bats, and those enhanced with other alloys, also come in single-layer or double-layer construction
• Double-layer bats offer more durability and power, since the ball rebounds off the bat with more authority
• Cryogenically treated aluminum--Alloy is frozen and reheated to provide greater durability, less vibration and 2-4% greater distance

Composite

• Composite technology has enabled bat makers to use lighter, stronger materials.
• Composite's also help reduce vibration and the sting of ball shock, the tingling feeling sent to the hands usually when you miss hitting the ball in the bat's sweet spot

Wood

• Wood bats offer a classic feel and sound
• Look for a grain that is long and wide, which indicates a tree's age and density
• Wood bats offer more choices in shape and taper that can be customized to a player's swing
• Wood has three big disadvantages:
  • Bats crack and break
  • Reduced sweet spots on the barrel
  • Far less hitting power than metal bats

Determine Which Bat Fits Your Body

There are some standard rules of thumb in selecting the appropriate bat length. The charts below offer some guidelines based on age and weight and height.

Age

• Using your age as a guide, use the chart below to determine the bat length that fits your body

Height and weight

• These are usually better ways to determine what bat length may work best for you

Determining the Right Bat Weight

• Most bats are also weighted in ounces
• Manufacturers have done a great job in balancing the bat's weight to its length
• Many bats have a weight-to-length ratio, often shown as -4, -6, etc.
• This basically means a 34-inch bat with a -6 ratio weighs 28 ounces
• Selecting weight really depends on two critical factors--your strength and your hitting style
• It also depends a lot on your personal preference in weight and length, so the following are simply guidelines to follow:
  • Bigger, stronger players generally prefer a heavier bat since they get the benefits of both the heft and swing power
  • Smaller players with less strength should consider a lighter bat to generate a quicker swing
  • Younger players, too, should consider that a lighter bat increases control--great for singles hitters, while also reducing the risk of injury

Understanding Bat Technology

Bat technology may seem a little confusing but it's not rocket-science. There are three essential elements to a bat: barrel size, bat taper and grip.

Barrel size

• This includes both the length of the barrel--top part of the bat--and its diameter
• The longer the barrel, generally, the larger the sweet spot for hitting the ball
• As for diameter, the standard is 2 1/2, inches but many players prefer a smaller barrel that lightens weight and provides more swing speed

Taper

• This is the diameter of the bat's handle
• Standard bats are tapered 31/32 of an inch but can be slightly larger or smaller depending on whether you want a lighter or heavier bat
• You may prefer the feel of a bigger bat taper, which can also reduce the sting when a ball isn't struck on the sweet spot
• Some players like a narrower taper for the lighter weight and to rotate their wrists faster when hitting.

Grip

• The grip is simply the covering that bat manufacturers use on the handle of aluminum bats
• Rubber grips absorb more of the shock
• Leather or synthetic leather gives a tackier feel for a surer grip
• Some bats come with a cushioned grip to decrease the shock even more

Bat Performance Factor (BPF) and League Regulations

An effort by some of governing bodies in Baseball and Softball (NCAA, NHSF, USSSA, NSA, ASA) to regulate the performance of a bat has lead to the establishment of a method of measuring how a ball jumps off of a bat compared to how a ball rebounds off of a wall at a controlled speed.

BPF (Bat Performance Factor) is simply the increase in the liveliness of a ball hitting a bat compared to throwing a ball against a solid wall (i.e., 20% faster rebound = a BPF of 1.20).

Beginning with the 2009 season, non-wood bats used in divisions of play Little League (Majors) and below must be printed with a BPF (bat performance factor) rating of 1.15 or less.

Beginning with the 1998 playing season, USSSA and NSA league play must use a bat bearing a permanent marking indicating that the bat does not exceed a 1.20 BPF rating.

The NCAA/NFHS have dictated a "3 Prong" set of rules for bats to be legal for 2000 and beyond.

• The bats can have a diameter no larger than 2 5/8"
• The bats can be no lighter than 3 ounces less than the length (i.e. 32 in/29 oz)
• The bats can have an exit speed no higher than 97 MPH off the barrel of the bat. The bats must have a "BESR" logo on the barrel of the bat, designating that the bat meets the Ball Exit Speed Requirement

In July of 2003, the ASA changed their performance test method and standard. They refer to their new test as a "high speed test." This method determines the outgoing speed of a ball after an impact at 110 miles per hour. Past tests have had impact speeds of 60 mph. The new standard calls for an outgoing ball speed of no greater than 98 mph. All bats need to pass this test to be used in ASA play from 1/1/2004 and beyond.

• Bats manufactured after passing this new test will have a new "ASA 2004" logo on the barrel.
• Those that pass the standard will be placed on the ASA's website on an ASA 2004 legal bat list.
• Bats on this ASA list will be legal for play whether they have the 2004 logo or not.
• ASA umpires will have a copy of the ASA list and will use that list to determine if a bat is legal for play or not.

Choosing The Right Baseball Glove

Gloves, like the hands they fit, come in a variety of sizes. Baseball and softball gloves also are geared to fit both the position you play and the level of your game. Keep these factors in mind when you decide which style, size, features and materials best suit your game.

Gloves by Fielding Position

Gloves are made to better help you field your position. A key element in determining the size mitt you buy is the position you play in the field.

Catcher

• A fingerless mitt (it does not have individual fingers)
• Has heavy padding to reduce the sting from the pitcher's throw
• Reinforced to withstand the heavy use throughout a game

First base

• Also resembles a mitten, but has less padding than the catcher's mitt
• It is longer to help the first baseman field throws from infielders
• A shallow pocket allows the first baseman to quickly retrieve the ball from the mitt

Infield

• A five-fingered glove with a shallow pocket
• A youth size is between 9 - 11 inches
• Adults 10 1/2 to 11 1/2 inch is the typical baseball size
• Softball infielder gloves have a deeper pocket to accept the bigger ball
• Second basemen need a smaller glove to help make those quick throws while still having control
• Shortstops use something in the middle for grounders and quick throws
• Third basemen need a larger glove

Outfield

• Usually sized at 12 to 13-inches for adults, about 11 inches for children
• A deeper pocket to handle balls hit high in the air
• Longer length to give as much reach as possible
• If you plan to play several positions, find a glove that provides the most control for a variety of outfield positions

Softball gloves

• Generally larger both in the pocket and length to help players handle the larger ball
• If you play both baseball and softball, and you only want to buy one glove, select a softball glove

Find the Features that Fit Your Game

Today's gloves have different features built-in to help your game and to suit your ability. Here are the key features constructed into gloves and what to consider

Construction

• Pocket
  • The size of the pocket depends on your position
  • Shallow pockets really help middle infielders quickly grab the ball and throw
  • Deeper pockets help outfielders shag down fly balls
  • Softball players also need a bigger pocket to catch the bigger ball
• Webbing
  • Different styles of webbing are available to either help you better field your position or to fit your preference
  • A closed web is preferred for pitchers who want to hide the ball from the batter
  • Outfielders and third basemen like the extra support from a closed web
  • An open web helps middle infielders get the ball out of their gloves quicker to make throws
• Backs
  • There are two choices of backs, open or closed
  • The type of back is matter of personal preference, but some styles fit some positions better
    • The open back leaves a space open across the glove's back
    • Middle infielders prefer this for the flexibility
    • Outfielders prefer a closed back with a "finger hole" for extra support
• Wrist adjustment
  • Gloves come with an adjustment to keep it snug. Not all gloves have these "fit systems."
  • A D-ring fastener allows you to pull on the lacing and make the glove tighter or looser
  • A Velcro fastener although it may wear quicker, offers convenience of pulling and adjusting to fit your comfort level
  • A Lacing adjustment allows you to loosen or tighten the wrist fastener with leather laces.
  • A Buckle system adjusts the glove with a buckle similar to an adjustable hat
• Padding
  • The amount of padding in the pocket depends on the position played
  • The catcher's mitt has more padding to handle hard throws from a pitcher
  • Glove makers have been adding more padding for other positions as well to help players handle the sting of hard-hit balls
  • There also may be padding in the wrist area to make the glove more comfortable

Materials

Gloves come in a variety of materials, with the difference being in the feel and durability.

• Leather
  • Materials of choice for gloves
  • Leather offers the best comfort, control and feel
  • The better the leather, the better the glove
• Treated leather
  • Leather is treated and softened with chemicals for faster break-in and increased durability
  • Treated leather also reduces the care needed for the glove and helps the glove keep its shape
• Synthetic materials
  • A lighter, less-durable material
  • Less expensive, good for youngsters
  • Won't withstand the wear and tear of playing ball nearly as well as leather

Fit the Glove to Your Hand

Although age is also a factor, the position you play is the most important consideration in choosing a baseball or softball glove.

Youngsters/Beginners

• Youth models are smaller to help kids maintain control
• Avoid the urge to buy a bigger glove that you'll grow into
• Kids under the age of 8 should stick with a glove from 9 to 11 inches
• Kids from 8 to early teens, consider an 11-inch glove
• Beginners also benefit from the added control that they get from smaller gloves

High School/ Adult

• Outfielders need 12 to 12 1/2 inch gloves with deeper pockets
• Infielders need smaller gloves (10 1/2 to 11 1/2 inch) with shallower pockets for better control and quicker ball transfer
• Pitchers can go with a slightly larger glove than infielders but still need a small enough glove for fielding and throwing quickly
• Softball players require gloves that are slightly longer in length and deeper in the pocket to help field the bigger ball

Choosing The Right Baseball

Baseballs come in different covers and stitching, each offering their own virtues and drawbacks. But few can tell a ball by its cover, because it's the inside that determines a ball's play. Whether cork or rubber, synthetic or leather, we're here to help you get to the core of which baseball is right for you.

Ball Covers

• Long-lasting leather covers are the traditional choice because they offer consistent performance, durability, and shape maintenance.
• Synthetic covers resist dirt, maintain color, and are less expensive than leather cover. A synthetically covered ball with a top-grade cork may perform as well as a leather ball.

Stitching

• Raised stitching grips air currents and makes the ball therefore easier to control. This type of stitching is good for instruction, casual play, and sharp-breaking pitches.
• Rolled stitching is flatter and creates less air-resistance. This is they type of stitching used in major league balls and is ideal for game and everyday play.

Understanding Cores

• A cushioned cork core consists of a cork ball wrapped in a thin layer of premium rubber, wound in wool and cotton thread. Major League Baseballs require windings of at least 85% wool.
• Wool windings are critical to a ball's longevity because wool has memory; it returns to shape after impact.
• Economical cork-and-rubber or black rubber cores "play" like a cushioned cork ball, but may not last in rigorous use with players putting good wood (or aluminum) on the ball.

Reduced Injury Factor

One of the biggest innovations in baseballs in recent years concerns safety, and R.I.F, or Reduced Injury Factor, balls are evidence of that. These balls replace the "safety" balls of days past by playing as well as they reduce impact.

• Made with polyurethane cores in official or reduced weights. Both types won't hit or hurt as hard, thus helping new players overcome their fear of the ball.
• Different brands offer different grades of hardness, so you can select a ball appropriate for the age and level of experience.
• Unlike old "safety" balls, R.I.F. balls perform like regular baseballs, bouncing and rolling true to expectation.

What's Right for You?

A few key points will help make sure the box of new balls you empty into the canvas bag will be the best and most appropriate for your team:

• Age level and type of play: Buy a better ball with a premium, cushioned cork core for experienced players; consider trying more economical cork-and-rubber cored balls for novice players.
• Size
  • Most baseballs are 9 inches in circumference. Under-10 leagues may use a slightly larger ball.
  • Softballs typically are 12 inches in circumference, while some women's and youth leagues usually an 11 inch ball.
• Conditions: Drier weather and consistent game use merit leather-covered balls; wetter conditions and more practice use may mean that synthetic covers are perfectly adequate and economical.
• Future: A Reduced Injury Factor ball bought today and hopped off an 8-year-old's chest tomorrow may lead to the next Big League phenomenon, rather than the next non-baseball player.

Buying a Ball

Balls come in different sizes, materials and hardness.

• Most baseballs are 9 inches in circumference
• Leagues for under-10 year old players may use a slightly larger ball
• Softballs typically are 12 inches in circumference, while some women's and youth leagues usually an 11 inch ball

Materials

Balls are manufactured out of leather or synthetic leather. There are also safety balls for younger players.

• Leather is used in the Major Leagues and other upper-level leagues
• Synthetic leather is used primarily for balls in the Little League age group and younger
• "Safety balls" are engineered to play like a real ball without the sting of a hard ball. Known as "Reduced Injury Factor" or RIF balls, they roll and bounce like their harder cousins, but don't hurt as much if the player gets hit.

Choosing The Right Softball Bat

Use our guide to help you select the bat materials and technology that are right for you.

How To Buy A Softball Bat

No matter the softball league you play in, buying a bat is a personal decision. New technology has delivered bats that not only enhance performance but also are tailored to an individual player's strengths. It is essential that you select a bat that fits your unique body configuration and skill level--height, weight, and hitting strength.

Understanding Bat Materials

The world of bats now offers a large variety of choices in materials. These can be broken into two primary categories--aluminum and Graphite/Titanium lined. Virtually no softball bats are made of wood any longer. Each provides its own unique characteristics.

Aluminum

• This has been a player favorite for several years now
• Aluminum bats provide a lighter weight for increased control and bat speed
• Aluminum and the other metals also offer durability
• Despite generally higher costs, players can save money since the bats are extremely difficult to crack or break
• Aluminum bats come in a variety of alloys, each with a different weight. Generally, lighter aluminum alloys are thinner and more durable. These lighter weights also increase the "sweet spot," the hitting zone on the bat's barrel that gives the maximum place to put metal to ball.
• Aluminum bats, and those enhanced with other alloys, also come in single-layer or double-layer construction
  • Double-layer bats offer more durability and power, since the ball rebounds off the bat with more authority

Composite

• Composite technology has enabled bat makers to use lighter, stronger materials.
• Composite���s also help reduce vibration and the sting of ball shock, the tingling feeling sent to the hands usually when you miss hitting the ball in the bat's sweet spot

Determine What Bat Fits Your Body

There are some standard rules of thumb in selecting the appropriate bat length. The charts below offer some guidelines based on age and weight and height:

Age

Using your age as a guide, use the chart below to determine the bat length that fits your body.

Height and weight

• Height and weight are usually better ways to determine what bat length may work best for you
• Once again, use the height and weight chart to give you a general idea of the length of bat that fits your body

Determining the Right Bat Weight

• Most bats are weighted in ounces
• Manufacturers have done a great job in balancing the bat's weight to its length
• Many bats have a weight-to-length ratio, often shown as -4, -6, etc.
• This basically means a 34-inch bat with a -6 ratio weighs 28 ounces
• Selecting weight really depends on two critical factors--your strength and your hitting style
• It also depends a lot on your personal preference in weight and length, so the following are simply guidelines to follow:
  • Bigger, stronger players prefer a heavier bat since they get the benefits of both the heft and swing power
  • Smaller players with less strength should consider a lighter bat to generate a quicker swing
  • Younger players, too, should consider that a lighter bat increases control, great for singles hitters, while also reducing the risk of injury

Understanding Bat Technology

Bat technology may seem a little confusing but it's not rocket-science. There are three essential elements to a bat: barrel size, bat taper and grip.

Barrel size

• This includes both the length of the barrel--top part of the bat--and its diameter
• The longer the barrel, generally, the larger the sweet spot for hitting the ball
• The standard softball bat diameter is 2 1/2 inches
• Fast pitch softball barrel standard is 2 3/4 inches
• Many players prefer a smaller barrel that lightens weight and provides more swing speed

Bat taper

• This is the diameter of the bat's handle
• Standard bats are tapered 31/32 of an inch but can be slightly larger or smaller depending on whether you want a lighter or heavier bat
• Some players like a narrower taper for the lighter weight and to rotate their wrists faster when hitting

Grip

• The grip is simply the covering that bat manufacturers use on the handle of aluminum bats
• Leather or synthetic leather gives a tackier feel for a surer grip
• Rubber grips absorb more of the shock

Some bats come with a cushioned grip to decrease the shock even more