Son moving from T-ball to Pony Best Bat

[cksarago]

Hello all my son is moving from T-ball to Pony ball this spring I am throwing him 100 pitched every other night so I want to get him a new bat so it gets broken in. What is the best bat on the market money is not a factor. He is 4 foot and weights 49 pounds. Any help would be great. On a side note I only have 8 balls when I do this anyone know where I can get some used balls.
Thanks

[dmac]

I bought 5 dozen balls at my local play it again sports for $15 a dozen, which was 1/2 price. Check Wal Mart, they are clearancing all of their baseball stuff.

[Hookem74]

Most balls used at that age are too soft and spongy. They are designed for protection of the player which cancels out a high performance bat. These kids are not strong enough to flex the walls of a composite and the higher quality alloys are rare in that size.

Top of the line would be the coach pitch bats, everyone makes them and they run about $150. I really can't recommend one over the other, best hits I ever seen at that age were with cheap walmart bats because most of the poor designs are so end loaded that it's built perfectly for a spongy ball.

Kids that age are more worried about color & cool graphics. Pick three and let him choose one. I stock up in fall/winter on balls most places will mark them down pretty cheap. Mix in a few softballs it really makes them focus more on hitting through the ball.

I agree with the 100s pitched balls, the more muscle memory he builds the better!!
I'll take a first year player and make them swing a bat 50 times a day 5x10 takes less than 5 minutes. Makes sure he has good mechanics and correct any problems along the way. We also soft toss golf whiffle balls(hand-eye coordination) and soccer/basketballs(power).
Tee work and broomstick/whiffle bat swings(bat speed)

I'll usually finish off with a home run derby with prizes. Most of these kids work really hard and its always good to reward them along the way. I know they tend to get bored and keeping the same routine does get boring. I try and change it up every time.

[cksarago]

thanks for the help so far I also toss him 100 skills sticks balls with that skills stick bat the days i dont pitch him baseballs where we live the kids at 7-8 start hitting official little league balls that are not soft so that is not a factor.

[tom2p]

Does your 'Pony' league use LL ( 2 1/4 ) or big barrel bats ?
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I'm not a big fan of high-end/expensive bats for the little guys .... having stated that ....
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If LL - Worth may offer a decent bat in 27"size. Or you could search for an old (2006) LS TPX Omaha XS Scandium 27-14.5 or a Worth Wicked Insanity (composite) 27-15. A 28-15 LS Dynasty may also be a good option - the old models (2006, etc.) may be better than the more recent versions if you can find one.
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If big barrel - I would switch to another lorganization that uses the smaller bats .... LOL ..... (not a fan of little kids using big barrel bats).
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The proper size and weight of the bat is very important - especially at this age. The bat should be small and light enough so the kid can generate good bat speed - *with* good form/mechanics. Length of the hit not as important - better to have a kid hit the ball 100 ft with a small(er) bat - than a kid swinging a big(er) bat and miss ball 4 times - with bad form/mechanics - and then hit the fitth ball 135 ft.
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Note - just saw this post from dden (another thread) - this bat may be an option:
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In case anyone is looking, there is a nearly new Voodoo Black (28/15) on Ebay for $36. Here is the item number: 270432308664
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[tom2p]

another reason I shy away from high-end bats for the little guys ....
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the kids often grab any bat that is available .... including other kids bats .... and unfortunately, there kids that will often swing the bat and hit a fence ... backstop .... cage .... you name it.
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best to keep that in mind ....
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( used to drive me *crazy* when my kid was searching for his batting helmet - and it would be on another kid standing at second base !) ...
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[tom2p]

..... best hits I ever seen at that age were with cheap walmart bats because most of the poor designs are so end loaded that it's built perfectly for a spongy ball.
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agree ... we had/have a few Worth bats from Target - but the one bat felt heavier and end weighted .....
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with the 'spongy' ball, you especially must hit the ball well - squarely - to get it out there ....
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