General Bat Questions
How do I choose the right sized bat?
Because everyone is different, the best way to determine which bat is best is to have the player pick it up and swing it. Generally speaking, the younger the player the lighter the bat (higher “drop”). Once a player has matured into the teens, he or she will likely want to choose his/her own bat, and depending on the league rules will probably have to choose one with a lower drop (-3 is standard for high school). For baseball youths, you can follow these guidelines, but keep in mind that youngsters vary in size, strength, and comfort level:
| Division |
Age |
Bat Length |
Weight |
| T-ball |
5-7 |
24” to 26” |
10 or lighter |
| Farm |
7-8 |
26” to 27” |
10 or lighter |
| Jr. Minors |
8-9 |
27” to 29” |
10 or lighter |
| Sr. Minors |
9-12 |
28” to 31” |
10 or lighter |
| Majors |
10-12 |
29” to 32” |
10 or lighter |
To find the correct bat length for your softball-playing daughter, have her stand straight up with her arms to the side. Place a ruler to her side with the start of the ruler (the "0" mark) on the ground. Read the measurement at the end of her wrist, just where the hand meets the forearm. As a general rule, this measurement indicates the perfect bat length for her.
What does “weight drop” ( -3, -5, -10, etc.) mean and which one is best?
The “drop” – that negative number displayed on the bat barrel – is the difference between the length and weight of the bat. To give you an idea, a 32-inch bat with a -3 drop is 29 ounces. In many leagues, the drop parameters are defined, so you may want to check the rules governing your league. For example, in High School Baseball and NCAA, the maximum “drop” is -3.
Which “drop” is best depends entirely on the player and the league in which he/she participates. Generally speaking, effectiveness is reliant on the player’s strength, swing, and comfort – though physics suggests that a player should use the heaviest bat possible while retaining highest bat speed. Younger players tend to be more comfortable swinging bats with higher drops (i.e., -10) , but again, it’s up to the individual.
What does multi-wall composite mean?
Multi-wall XWC composite technology is an engineering design that provides performance and durability in composite bats.
How can I clean my bat? I heard car wax is good to keep it shiny.
First of all, don’t EVER apply car wax or any other substance to your bat (other than pine tar, and only on the handle) – it would be considered tampering and the umpire can remove it from the game. When you feel it is necessary to clean your bat, simply wipe it with a soft rag moistened with a bit of water.
