Wooden bats have been popular since baseball players first took to the diamond in Cooperstown, New York. They provide less pop, but are safer than aluminum or alloy bats. Wooden bats are used in the major leagues and also in high school. According to baseball-bats.net, the wooden bat took off after Louisville Slugger started crafting ash bats for a ball player.
Size
The most important factor to take into consideration when buying a bat is size. For pro players, bats range between 30 inches to 35 inches. If you're still in Little League or high school, consider bats between 24 inches and 32 inches.
Weight
The weight of your bat is critical, so develop a feel for what you're comfortable with at a batting cage before you get a bat. Bats typically range between 20 and 35 oz. Bat speed through the hitting zone is the most important component of your bat, so make sure you can handle the weight. A heavier barrel will send the ball flying, but without speed, it won't matter.
Cost
Wooden bats cost roughly $50 to $150. At lower prices, bats tend to be made of only one material. More expensive wooden bats are typically a composite of several materials, which increases the strength without adding to the weight.
Popular Materials
Ash and maple bats are the most popular wood to use for bats (maple has been popular since Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs in 2001.) However, there are also composite wooden bats made of ash and hickory or ash and maple.
Remember
Wooden bats will never send the ball as far as metal bats, but they are safer. More high schools are moving to ban metal bats because they have so much power.
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