In The History Of Baseball, A Bats Weight Matters.

For over 100 years, baseball has been that favorite summer past time. We have seen players come and go. Bats have been a staple in baseball through the years. However they have changed as well. There are different types of bats that have been used. In the early years wooden baseball bats have been made mainly out of white ash. In the early 2000s, maple wood bats became increasingly popular. Ash is among the most common materials chosen to make bats out of. The benefits of white ash bats include its durability, hard surface, light weight and overall feel, while maple bats have a high level of strength and therefore last longer than white ash bats. Ash baseball bats have played an important position in the history of the game. There are two types of ash: white ash and green ash. Because white ash is a high-quality wood, it makes a very good baseball bat. They are accepted by most leagues and organizations. Its unique characteristics lend itself to being the most common choice for game play or practice. On the other hand, the green ash, also known as water or red ash is rarely used to make bats. Maple baseball bats are among the most popular choices in bats. This is because maple wood has a tight grain that offers many of the qualities suited for hitting a baseball. The finer the grade of maple, the more expensive the bat.

A player's age, height, weight, strength, and hitting style determine what kind of bat you should use. Generally, players in Little League or Youth League should use baseball bats between 16 and 23 ounces. At the high school and collegiate level, baseball bat weights generally range from 27 to 33 ounces. Bats may be listed as a negative number, meaning the bat's weight equals the bat's length minus the indicated number. For example, a 32-inch baseball bat with a bat weight of -5 weighs 27 ounces (32 - 5 = 27). Baseball bats used at the high school and college level usually cannot have more than a -3 ounce weight-to-length ratio. Heavier baseball bats can generate more power, but reduce bat speed. Lighter baseball bats offer increase speed and control, but reduce pop. The pros often gravitate toward lighter baseball bats which allow a player to make contact with the "fat of a bat" or its "sweet spot" more easily. Length is something else you should look for. Look for ranges from 26 to 31 inches for Youth League and 32 to 36 inches for high school, collegiate, and professional players. A Little League baseball bat usually cannot measure more than 32 inches long.

Other characteristics to consider is the bat shape. The barrel, taper, and grip. The barrel of the bat is the wide portion of a baseball bat that strikes a ball. Most barrels measure 2 1/2, 2 5/8, or 2 9/16 inches in diameter. Longer and wider barrels provide a larger sweet spot. Lighter baseball bats have shorter and narrower barrels for increased speed and control. The grip is a very important part to consider, especially for an aluminum bat. It has a baring on how much vibration you feel after contact. Make sure your baseball bat has a proper leather, synthetic leather, or rubber grip. Leather grips will provide the best hold, but do not absorb vibration as effectively as rubber. The taper on most baseball bats is 31/32 of an inch. A narrower taper allows you to rotate your wrists faster and "square up" on pitches more effectively. You will have to know your league rules that you play in because they all differ. These are all things to consider when you are trying to pick the right baseball bat.