Baseball bats are measured by length, weight and the size of the barrel of the bat. The length and barrel of the bat are measured in inches, while the weight is measured in ounces. The weight of a bat can also be listed as a weight drop number, which is the length of the bat in inches minus the ounces of the bat. For example, a bat which is 28 inches long and weighs 18 ounces would be rated as a "minus 10" weight bat. Baseball bats are sized to accommodate players of each age level, beginning with T-ball and all the way to high school and college.
T-Ball Bats
T-Ball bats are the smallest baseball bats available because they are designed for 5 to 7 year-olds who either hit off of a tee or play in coach-pitch leagues. The length of these bats is typically 25 to 27 inches, with the barrel being 2-1/4 inches in diameter. They weigh 17 to 20 oz.
Little League Bats
Little League bats are designed for players 7 to 12 years old. They also have a barrel that's 2-1/4 inches in diameter, but are longer than T-Ball bats with lengths ranging from 28 to 32 inches. They also are heavier. Weight drop ratings for Little League bats vary from minus 13 for lighter bats to minus seven for heavier ones.
Senior League Bats
The term "Senior League" bat comes from "Senior Little League," for which the bat size was originally designed. They are frequently used by players ages 10 to 15, and also range from 28 to 32 inches in length. However, Senior League bats have a larger barrel of either 2-5/8 or 2-3/4 inches in diameter. They are modestly heavier than Little League bats, with smaller weight drop ratings ranging from minus 11 to minus five.
High School / College Bats
High school and college bats have a barrel size of 2-5/8 inches and range from 30 to 34 inches. The weight of these bats is regulated and can not exceed a rating of minus three. The NCAA and high school reviewing sports bodies have regulations prohibiting a bat from being more than 3 oz. lighter in weight than the length of the bat in inches. This was done for safety reasons as it was felt that the bigger, more physically developed players competing at these levels would put infielders at risk by swinging ultralight bats.
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