Here’s a simple test to tell if your baseball bat is too heavy for you:
Hold your bat from the handle and completely extend your arm. If you can’t hold your bat
completely extended for 30 seconds, then your bat may be too heavy for you.
Warnings against a bat that is too heavy
Playing with a bat that is too heavy can cause uneven play, as you’ll have less control over your
swing. It’s vital to have the heaviest bat you can manage while still being light enough to maintain a fast, smooth swing.
Let’s go over some essentials to bat size so you can get a better idea of what is best for your
game.
Bat Sizing Basics
Choosing the right bat size is critical to optimize your hitting performance.
Factors to consider are length, weight, swing weight, and weight drop. The size of your bat will
depend on your height, weight, and which league you are in.
Bat Length
Bat length is measured in inches. Longer bats give you a greater reach and usually have more
mass towards the end of the bat. A typical length is 24-34 inches.
Bat Weight
The bat’s weight is measured in ounces. Usually, the heavier the bat, the more power or “pop” you’ll
have on contact.
Swing Weight
The swing weight is different from the actual weight of the bat. It is considered to be how the mass
of the bat “feels” when you swing it. Bats that weigh differently in ounces can have different
swing weights and are classified as balanced or end-loaded:
Balanced Bats
Balanced bats have an even distribution of weight throughout the bat. Because of this, contact
hitters have better control of their swing, giving them faster swing speeds.
End-Loaded Bats
End-Loaded bats have most of their weight focused toward the end of the barrel. This design
gives the player’s swing a “whip” motion that generates a massive amount of force and long
distances after contact.
However, these kinds of bats can be difficult to control, so they are recommended for athletes
with considerable levels of physical strength.
Weight Drop
A bat’s weight drop is measured by subtracting its weight from its length.
For example:
Bat weight: 20 ounces
Bat length: 30 inches
Weight Drop: -10
Usually, the higher the league level, the lesser the weight drop. Bats feel heavier as weight drops increase.
Lighter bats with weight drops of -13 to -10 are for beginners and younger players.
High school, collegiate, and professional players often use bats with weight drops of -3 and
higher.
Conclusion
Choosing the right bat weight depends on the sport, league rules, and player preference.
Louisville Slugger has a detailed Bat Sizing Chart that you can use for reference with an
assortment of quality baseball bats.