Picking out the proper bat in Little League can be a significant issue for any Little League baseball players. Players want to hit the ball hard and that can lead uninformed parents and players to choosing bigger bats that they think will drive the ball for greater distance. However, bat head speed controls power and that means a lighter bat may help a Little Leaguer hit the ball harder.
Bat Size
According to Little League rules, bats used by players who are 11 years old or younger cannot be longer than 33 inches long. The bat cannot exceed 2 1/4 inches in diameter. For players who are between 11 and 13 years old, the bat cannot exceed 34 inches in length and 2 5/8 inches in diameter. Players who use bats that exceed length and barrel-diameter standards will not be able to use those bats in game competition.
Comfort
Give the youngster a series of bats to choose from. Have him pick each bat up, take a stance and swing each bat three times. Then the youngster should pick the bat that he and the manager both believe he swings the best. The Little League manager has to be a part of this process because a player may want to swing a bigger bat because his friend swings a bigger bat. That is not a good reason for picking a bat. The batter has to be able to whip the bat smoothly through the hitting zone.
Bat Test
Have a batter pick out a legal bat. Then have her hold the bat in her dominant hand. Raise the bat to shoulder height. If the player can hold the bat at that height comfortably, the bat is the proper size for the batter. If the hitter shakes and wavers while holding the bat, then it is too heavy.
Wood Or Aluminum
Little League has used metal alloy or aluminum bats primarily since the 1980s. Since the start of 2000, more youngsters have been going back to wood bats. Wood bats provide a more natural sound when the player hits the ball solidly. However, the aluminum bat will last longer. Wood bats tend to break more easily if the player does not hit the ball squarely.
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