Louisville Slugger choices and DeMarini

[huntandpark]

All- I am narrowing my choices of bat to the following, I'd love to hear your opinions - my son is a solid player but is tall and thin and would like some more pop - he is 9 and is 4ft 7" or so and weighs around 62lbs or so. He has a 29/16.5 but I think shortening a bit and lightening just a tad would help. These are the 3 I think might be good for him at a 28/16 distribution - thanks for all of your responses! If you have a better suggestion I am open to it.

Louisville Slugger YB81C 2008 TPX Catalyst X-1

Louisville 2008 YB83X Exogrid

DeMarini DXVDL 2008 Voodoo

[Speedy42]

HuntandPark,

If you want your son to have more pop then continue working on his swing with lots of Tee and soft-toss work. Have him practice with wood bats. Not too heavy, though because you don't want to mess up his swing. Too heavy of a bat might make him get sloppy with his swing. I have my son take 25 swings every day.( Yes, that's every day) and it only takes like 15-20min. He starts with 5 swings with a 17 oz. bat, 5 swings with 18 oz., 5 swings with a 21oz., 5 swings back down to 18 oz., then finishes with 5 swings with his 23 oz. wood bat. Similar to the "shock" method bodybuilders did back in the day. Your mind and muscles remember what they did last. Great way to add strength in a short time. When the weather breaks we'll be outside hitting basketballs off a Tee. My son is 4'8" and weighs 76-80lbs. That puts his bat at about 29"-30" and at 18-19oz. So, your son's bat should be about 29" and 17-18oz. The Demarini Voodoo -12 is an excellent choice as is the TPX Catalyst. I don't suggest dropping size and weight. We have to remember to prepare our children as if they are going to be playing High School ball and that means a -3 bat.
Just have your son take some swings with a friend's bat or one at the local batting cage to see if a 29" 17 oz. bat will do. Remember that your son will be bigger by spring and with lots of work will be stronger as well.:D

[Dave James]

Huntandpark, my almost 9 year old is 4'9", 73 or so lbs. and his bat to date was a 28/17. He just tried and wants the exo-12 in a 29" and I make them buy half of their gloves and bats so even though I recommended last years catalyst for cheap he is dead set on the exo. Maybe it's the McDonalds colored paintjob:D I agree with speedy that if you have a kid , boy or girl who is fired up on getting better and stronger doing 15 minutes or so a day of light strengthening exercises really works(wrists, sit ups, low impact bands,heavy bats on a swing trainer etc.). Having a good strong swing and not dropping your hands will create more pop than a fancy or heavier bat in my opinion. I think at your son's size for now the 28/17 range would be my choice and with desire he can get ready for the -3 range starting a little bit later. I will say my son hit well with the exo so at least it will probably last a couple of years since it's aluminum.