What size bat? Big barrel

[BubsMom]

My son is moving up to a league where he can use the bigger barrel bats. It's not that he needs one, but that's what most of the kids are using.My question is that I am not sure which size to get. All of the sizing charts I've found seem to be for little league bats. He is roughly 70 lbs. and about 53 inches tall. I was thinking a 28/18 or29/19. Does this sound right? Is a 28 too small? Some kids that are not much bigger than him are using a 30/20, but I think that may be too big. Any suggestions?

[Coach_E]

Well, what size is he using now? IMO 28 is too small for him. Obviously, there will be a difference in weight due to the bigger barrel, he is going to want the smaller bat because its lighter but might not be the best choice. I would get him a 30" and take him to the cages so he can get use to it. Start him up by chocking up if he needs to. Good Luck.

[BubsMom]

He is currently using a 30/17and a 29/17 little league (2 1/4).

[JSWdad]

My son is 4:9 weighs 75 lbs.
He just moved up to a 29/20.
(actually a 30/20 with a choke knob on the end)


Have him swing some of his friends bats.

Get the bat he can stay in his mechanics and swing fast.

Bat speed and swing mechanics is everything, and you don't want any weight or length that will take him out of his mechanics or slow him down. If it appears the bat pulls him around any at all, or his speed slows down, the bat is either too long or too heavy or both.

Another check is to have the kid grab the handle and hold the bat straight out to his side parrellel to the ground shoulder high. He should be able to hold that for a solid 10 count.

But to me watching him swing it means much more than if he can hold it to his side for 10 seconds.


If your league allows, and all the other kids have one I'd get a 2 5/8" barrel bat.

I went with the Combat Virus, only because the B1 didn't come in a 2 5/8" barrel, but I had to buy a Senior bat.

[2ManyBats]

My sons 11U Travel team has a "Team Bat" that is a 29" - 19oz ... 2-3/4" 2008 Catalyst.
IMO it is just the right size for most of the players.
However ... for some reason my son hits better with his Stealth 29" - 19oz 2-5/8" BST35. But he has his own 2007 Catalyst ( also a 29-19-2 3/4") that we bought brand new this year and another Brand New BST35 30-20 that we thought he'd move up to this year since last year he had a model BST32 Stealth 29"-19oz ( now for batting cages )

IMO there is a learning curve that comes with handling a Big Barrel Bat. They just don't cut the air like the 2-1/4" does. And in saying that ... as a batter ... you can't let the ball get to deep on you when your up to bat.

Yes ... the Stealths may be endloaded vs balanced Catalyst .... but I think it has alot to do with "Confidence". Go with what works !

Oh buy the way .... This Fall he begin to use a drop 7.5.... High School the limit is -3.

Good Luck

[Speedy42]

is using a 17oz. bat this yr. he'll probably use an 18oz maybe 19oz. next yr. My son is about 4'10''and 80lbs. He uses a 29" 18oz CF3 youth ( 2 1/4"). This size bat gives him pretty good control. Very few strikeouts this year in 9U travel. From what I've seen so far it's been the kids not the bat barrell size that gets a kid a hit. It's all about comfort zone. I've seen big kids use 2 1/4 and I've seen kids looking like 6 yr olds using 2 3/4". Have him practice with a Senior League bat and see how he likes it. I would imagine for next season he'd probably go with a 29" 18oz 2 1/4" or 29" 19oz 2 5/8"