Aluminum bats are used in many age ranges and competition levels, ranging from youth t-ball to Division I college baseball. Because of this wide age range, the length and weight of the bats can vary greatly. Aluminum baseball bats have a number printed on them known as the "weight drop." This number is always negative, as it shows the difference between the length (in inches) and the weight (in ounces) of the bat.
Little League
Little League bats, used for players ages 7 to 12, have a weight drop of minus 7 (a heavier bat) to minus 13 (lighter). The bat length can range from 28 to 32 inches, meaning that the weight can range from 16 to 25 ounces. The barrel of the bat, however, must only be 2 1/4 inches in diameter.
Senior League
Senior League bats are for players just older than Little League, ranging from ages 10 to 15. The diameter of the barrel of these bats can range from 2 5/8 inches to 2 3/4 inches. The length of these bats is the same as Little League (28 to 32 inches), but the weight drop changes, with heavier bats having a minus 5 weight drop and lighter bats having a minus 11 weight drop.
High School
High school bats may only have a barrel diameter of 2 5/8 inches. The National Federation of State High School Associations also states that bats "shall not weigh more than three ounces less than the length of the bat." This means to look for bats with a minus 3 weight drop. High school bats range from 30 to 34 inches in length.
College
Rules for collegiate aluminum bats are the same as high school, but college bats are subject to further testing. College bats must meet certain protocols, such as Ball Exit Speed Ratio and Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution, which are designed to equalize performance between wood and nonwood bats. BESR calculates the speed of a pitched ball immediately prior and immediately after contact with the bat. BBCOR is much like BESR, except it eliminates factors such as length of the bat. In 2011, all college bats will have to meet a BBCOR standard of 0.50.
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