Bat question...

[D_wats]

I have a 9 yr old son who is using a -9 31" '08 Anderson Teczilla XP. He has flattened the bat on at least one side in a little more that 3 months. As an 8 yr old he dented his '07 XP only not near as badly. So my question becomes what bat to get. I see no reason to go backwards as far as weight, and don't want to use a "big barrel". The problem is that most -8/-7 bats I have found are big barrels. So I've been looking at a -5, dropping down to a 30" would put the weight at 25 oz, he's swinging a 22, so I'm not sure how much difference 3 ozs will make by next year. I'm open to any suggestions. I'm looking at this one (http://www.justbats.com/products/detail_view.asp?i=7279) for now.

[kseig]

I'm not sure how big your son is, but it sounds like you are considering too heavy of a bat. My boy is 9 yrs. old and 5ft 4in 105 lbs. and he swings a 30/20. He has had great success this year. I have learned from this board to not go too heavy.

[D_wats]

He didn't flatten his bat by beating it aginest a lamp post. He has six HR's over a 200 ft fence this year with the bat. A couple of the balls carried maybe 230-240. I don't think the bat is to big, nor do his travel team coaches.

That said, jumping up 3 ozs in a year may be a bit much, but I don't know, and experimenting with a $300 bat doesn't appeal to me.

On the other hand I need a bat that will last for at least one season. Don't misunderstand, I don't think the Andersons are junk, so if he's flattened that bat what other youth league bat should I consider?

[dolphindan1]

If he is 9 and hitting the ball 240 then I would be spending money on any bat he wanted....plua calling the Braves....sounds like you got a future stud..

that being said....I have a hard time with him hitting normal baseballs at a normal speed flattening a bat in 3 months...I would send it back to the company...should still be under warranty right....thats a bat defect in my opinion

I recommend the Combat virus or the B1...you can get one for 200 maybe less with some ebay research...I got my sons Virus brand new in wrapper of ebay for 175 I think it was...

[D_wats]

>I recommend the Combat virus or the B1...you can get one for 200 maybe less with some ebay research...I got my sons Virus brand new in wrapper of ebay for 175 I think it was...<

Thanks, the Virus is a possibility, -8 works.

As far as warranty on the XP, yeah I'll get it replaced. But that's two in a row he's screwed up. Granted the first one was just dented in places, but his '08 looks really bad. So much so I expect to get some grief from Anderson that the bat has been misused.

As for the Braves, well he's a 9 yr old kid with a lot of growing up to do. And I'll be the first to admit he can be somewhat of an all or nothing batter. On the other hand he's a 9 yr old who swings a 31" -9 end loaded bat very, very well.... :)

[kseig]

I second the Combat bat. My boy has the B1 but I have heard good things abut the Virus too.

D_wats
I wasn't trying to criticize you about going with the heavy bat. I was just telling you what I have learned on these boards. They helped me pick out the right bat for my boy. You even said so yourself your boy is kind of an all or nothing hitter. I may be wrong, but that sounds like he hits HR's but may strike out a bit. If that is the case, why be in such a hurry to go up so much in weight. Why not just stay the same and hit some HR's and improve on the average. That is what I did with my boy. Maybe his bat is a little too light, I don't know, but he hit 4 HR's and batted .800. I'll take that anyday

[D_wats]

You didn't bother me, I just knew someone/s would post about the bat being to heavy, and I can understand that as for most kids it would be. But what can I say, you'd just have to see him swing it. And it's not like he strikes out a lot, in fact I'd say it's not a lot more than any other kids we've seen on average, but he does seem to go through more ups and downs than other kids. You know, more strike outs than hits followed by times where he seems unstoppable.

The reason for this post is simple, I need a bat that will last longer than half a season, especially when I'm paying $200+ for them. So is any other youth bat going to hold up better than the XP?, I see other bats being damaged by kids that don't hit the ball near as hard as my son does. I don't want to or see any reason to go down in weight, nor do I want to get a big barrel (2 3/4") so that really limits my choices as I see it.

After reading a little maybe the Miken wouldn't be the best choice. The Virus looks like a candidate. Any other suggestions in a 30" -8 to -5 range with a 2 5/8 barrel or less?

[kseig]

Thanks for the post D_wats. I wish I had a suggestion for you, but I really don't. I just started getting into these higher end bats this year and I know what you mean about not wanting to spend high dollars for a bat that won't last. Good luck on finding a bat and good luck to your son.................Ken

[2ManyBats]

Find out which Oak tree your son is trying to chop Down when your not around.
Or look for a water-logged ball, I have to throw out balls all the time, some coaches don't realize that if they weigh too much ... dents will happen.

Ask around, no one crushes bats. I say Defect like-dolphindan1 suggested.
I have a 9 yr old also. Kids don't like fielding the ball when he is up to bat.
No other 9yr old hits with his bat speed... and he hits all the time.

All or Nothing is not good .... at that age I tell my sons during BP that unless it's hit to the gaps, It's mostlikely going to be an out !!

We have over 2 doz bats (High End to Mid Range) ...... Easton Stealths, LS Catalysts, Demarini Vexxum..... One Dent - from a Fence Post (not from one of my boys)

[D_wats]

I don't know what to say, no fence post or oak trees, no water logged balls or heavy balls, no rubber batting cage balls. I'll turn the bat in for warranty but that's two now, one dented and one flattened, so as much as I love the pop the XP's have I'm somewhat leary. And I don't see a lot of post here saying the XP's are junk so I have to wonder what other youth bat will fair that much better.

As for the all or nothing statement, well like I said he's 9. When they start drafting 10 yr olds maybe then I'll worry. Right now we're trying to keep it fun, the serious stuff can wait....;)

That said when your son gets up to bat does the other team try to move, (the umps won't let them) the infielders into the outfield?

[2ManyBats]

Most often ... they play him straight up. ( Back Edge of Infield ) I've taught both of my sons to be able to hit the ball to opposite fields. We practice it all the time.

Just Last Sat AM Playoff game ... my 9 yr old is up to bat with the score tied and runners on 2nd & third - 1 out. He looked at me ( third base coach ) knodding his head and I said do it... ( he knows I want the ball hit to the right side of the field- we've practice this dozens of times on the diamond ) behind the runner ... then we can score the run and go ahead.

First Pitch ... He hit it to the 2nd baseman ... we scored the run & took the lead.

Baseball 101.

[D_wats]

I'll say this, I might admit that some of the all or nothing comes from swing such a heavy bat at his age. That he does loose some control over the bat, he can't hesitate and still get the bat on a pitch and so forth. But I believe it will help him later, especially when they have to make the jump to the -3's. So what to do, give him a light bat and let him him be the 9 yr old star, or keep him swinging a heavier bat and be well prepared for the transition to -3?

That said we played a tourney this weekend with 300 ft fences. One of the other parents and I were talking before the game and he asked if I thought Keegs could hit one out. Well there's no way, but that a parent would even ask that question about a 9 yr old kid tells you something.