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Bat Chart*
Success at the plate often comes down to this: making consistent hard contact against live pitching. To do this, it’s important to swing the right bat for you. That means a bat that’s long enough to cover the strike zone, light enough to swing with ease, heavy enough to generate power, and, of course, permitted in your league.
In order to find the ideal size for you, consider the following guidelines. *According to USSSA rules, players 13U must swing -8 or heavier and 14U must swing -8.
| Association | Age | Weight Drop |
|---|---|---|
| BBCOR | High School | -3 |
| USA & USSSA | 13-14 | -5 |
| 12-13' | -8 | |
| 10-12' | -10 | |
| 10 & Under | -11+ |
| Most Popular Length by Age | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 5-7 | 8-9 | 10 | 11-12 | 13-14 | 15-16 |
| Length | 24"-26" | 26"-28" | 28"-29" | 30"-31" | 31"-32" | 32"-33" |
LENGTH, WEIGHT, WEIGHT DROP – AND WHY THEY MATTER
Many baseball players believe a longer bat means better plate coverage – but that’s not always the case. A longer bat is often swings heavier, and if it’s too long for you, can reduce your swing speed and keep you from catching up to certain pitches. Even some professional players swing bats as short as 32”. When choosing your bat length, keep plate coverage in mind – but also consider your swing and stance, as well.
Length
Swing Weight
Weight Drop
Length
Bat length is measured in inches from knob to end cap. A longer bat gives you greater reach, allowing you to hit balls on the outside part of the plate. However, longer bats also tend to have more mass towards the end of the bat that requires more power to swing them. We recommend swinging bats of different lengths to decide what option best suits your swing. The right combination of length and weight will help you reach your peak performance.
Baseball bats most commonly are found between 24-34 inches. Please check the size chart for examples of what length may be appropriate for you.
Swing Weight
A factor you may not see, but will definitely feel is the swing weight* of your bat. Bats are often segmented by their given length and weight. The Swing weight is a determination of how a bat’s particular weight is distributed along the bat’s length. For example, you can have two bats that are 30 ounces, but that have different swing weights because the 30 ounces are distributed differently in the bat. Bats can fall along the swing weight spectrum, from light to balanced to end-loaded.
End-loaded bats shift extra weight toward the end of the barrel, creating more whip-like action on a player’s swing and generating more power.
Balanced bats have a more even weight distribution, allowing for potentially greater swing speed for many hitters. This is preferred by contact hitters who want more control of their swing.
DeMarini bats use different names to identify end-load versus balance. End-loaded bats feature the word “Insane” in the bat name, while balanced bats feature the word “Zen".
*Note - there are a variety of swing weights offered to meet player needs.
Weight Drop
BAT LENGTH (IN.) – BAT WEIGHT (OZ.) = WEIGHT DROP
Bat weight is measured in ounces (oz.). A bat’s weight is often tied to its “weight drop” -- its length in inches versus its weight in ounces. For instance, a 30-inch, 20-ounce bat would be referred to as a -10 bat. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the competition or league level (meaning, from youth league up to the pros) the lesser the weight drop. A lesser weight drop means the bat feels heavier. So a -5 bat will feel heavier than a -10 bat.
Selecting the right bat weight depends on three main factors: sport, league rules, and player preference. Be sure to check with your local league for guidance, and read onto the league information listed below for more information of the three major league categories: BBCOR, USSSA and USA Baseball
Most common weight drops in various baseball leagues are -12, -10, -9, -8, -5, and -3. As you progress toward high school baseball, the weight drop lowers (the bats become heavier). When moving to a heavier bat, you may then decide to drop an inch in length to more easily handle the additional weight. This is a matter of personal preference and comfort at the plate as you advance in age, league and skill level.
Governing Bodies
Governing bodies, such as USSSA or USA Baseball set unique standards for bat performance – which manufacturers then build to. In other words, bats meeting one standard may not meet another. Approved bats are clearly marked with league and association logos for the standards they meet.
The following information will help you understand the various standards. If you’re looking for your specific league regulations and standards, we strongly recommend consulting your local league official or coach prior to purchasing a new bat.
League Specifications
Looking for more information on the various bat certifications? We've got you covered.
BBCOR
USSSA
USA
BBCOR - College and High School
- Maximum drop weight of -3
- Maximum barrel diameter of 2 5⁄8”
- Most wood bats are allowed under BBCOR rules
There are multiple ways to recognize a BBCOR bat. The easiest way is to look for the BBCOR certification stamp where the handle meets the barrel. Another way to identify a BBCOR Louisville Slugger bat are the knob and the packaging sticker, both of which are blue.
Wood bats are also legal for BBCOR play and do not need the BBCOR mark. Wood composite bats on the other hand do need the BBCOR mark to be legal for play.
Not all -3 BBCOR bats feel the same. Often, a line of BBCOR bats is made with varying swing weights, from light-swinging to balanced to end-loaded. The swing weight is influenced by how the bat’s weight is distributed. End-loaded bats have more weight toward the end cap, more and have a relatively higher swing weight for that reason. More balanced bats have their weight distributed more evenly and have a relatively lower swing weight for that reason. For more information on end-loaded and balanced bats, please see the Bat Tech section.
USSSA
USSSA (United States Sports Specialty Association) is one of the largest baseball associations in the United States. USSSA separates their regulations by age group, with a range of permitted weight drops and barrel diameters. In order to find the most accurate information about what can be used in your USSSA league, we recommend contacting your coach and/or league official, or checking the USSSA website.
Weight drops vary in Senior League baseball, but players 10 years old and under often use a -10 weight drop bat. Players 11-12 years old will often use a -8 weight drop, and 13-year-old players often use a -5 weight drop to help them prepare for the transition to BBCOR play.
USA
Effective January 1st, 2018, USA Baseball will adopt a new bat standard for youth baseball bats. All players participating in leagues that have adopted the USA Baseball bat standard will be required to use a USA Baseball-certified bat (a “USABat(s)” Standard). On January 1, only bats that have the USA Baseball mark will be legal for play in these leagues.
Louisville Slugger USABat FAQ
*In order to have the most up-to-date information or if you have specific questions about your league, please contact your coach and/or league official.
WHAT GOES INTO A BAT?
A baseball bat is more than just a hunk of metal or wood. It is a carefully engineered tool that allows players to get the most out of every swing. Each component of the bat, from knob to end cap, is designed to maximize every ounce of performance. There are four main tech components you should understand when it comes to bats: material, barrel diameter, construction and weight balance.
Composite/Alloy
Non-wood bats are built from either alloy, composite, or a combination of the two.
MATERIAL: COMPOSITE
MATERIAL: ALLOY
CONSTRUCTION
SWING WEIGHT
BARREL DIAMETER
COMPOSITE
Composite bats are made with a layered material (often carbon fiber) that is easy to distribute, giving our experts the ability to craft bats with a variety of swing weights, ranging from balanced to end-loaded. They often feature larger sweet spots and a more forgiving feel than alloy bats.
ALLOY
Alloy bats are constructed from a mixture of two or more metals and has been a staple in baseball bat designs for decades. These bats offer a stiffer feel that often attracts elite power hitters at the high school and college level and are known for being among the most durable bats in the game.
CONSTRUCTION
One-piece bats feature a much stiffer feel and are often used by power hitters. Multi-piece bats are comprised of two separate parts: the handle and the barrel, paired with a connection piece. This type of design allows for a more forgiving feel and is often preferred by contact hitters.
SWING WEIGHT
Swing weight is dictated by how a particular bat’s weight is distributed along its length. End-loaded bats carry more weight toward the end of the barrel, generating more power on a swing while balanced bats have a more even weight distribution, which allows for improved swing speed.
BARREL DIAMETER
The barrel is the thickest and widest part of a bat. Barrels come in different sizes and are measured by diameter. It is measured in inches, and like weight drop, certain leagues carry specific regulations. Please refer to the Leagues section to check your requirements.
As an enthusiast with comprehensive knowledge of baseball equipment and regulations, I can provide a thorough breakdown of the concepts and information mentioned in the provided article.
The article primarily discusses various aspects related to baseball bats, their sizing, construction materials, governing body regulations, and technical specifications across different leagues and age groups. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the concepts covered:
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Bat Sizing: Discusses the importance of choosing the right bat size based on the player's age, weight, and league regulations. It highlights the correlation between bat length, weight, and weight drop, emphasizing the need for finding the ideal combination for optimal performance at the plate.
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Length, Weight, and Weight Drop: Explains how bat length impacts plate coverage, swing speed, and power generation. It delves into the significance of weight drop, which denotes the difference between bat length (in inches) and weight (in ounces) and its impact on the bat's feel and performance.
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Swing Weight: Describes swing weight as a crucial factor determined by the distribution of a bat's weight along its length. It discusses the differences between end-loaded and balanced bats, highlighting how these variations affect a player's swing and power generation.
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Governing Bodies and League Specifications: Details the standards set by various governing bodies such as BBCOR, USSSA, and USA Baseball. It outlines the regulations regarding bat performance, weight drop limits, barrel diameter, and certification requirements for each league.
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Material and Construction: Discusses the two primary materials used in non-wood bats—composite and alloy. It elaborates on their characteristics, such as the larger sweet spot and forgiving feel in composite bats and the stiffness and durability of alloy bats. Additionally, it explains the differences between one-piece and multi-piece bat constructions.
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Barrel Diameter: Highlights the significance of the barrel in a bat and its varied sizes, measured in inches. It stresses the importance of adhering to specific league regulations regarding barrel diameter.
Overall, the article offers comprehensive guidance on choosing the right baseball bat based on various factors, including player age, league regulations, bat sizing, weight distribution, and materials used in construction. It provides a thorough understanding of the technicalities involved in selecting the most suitable bat for individual players in different leagues and age groups.
