What Bat Should I Buy?

[bats22]

Note: this post was moved from the old message board.


My son is 9yrs old and going into his first year of Little League. He is a big kid.....5'5" 135lbs and can hit the ball very well for his age. My question is what would be his bet? He used a 30" -11 Demarini last year.

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after looking at some bat charts, i think your son should probably use a 32 inch bat.

[dad_3420]

I would use a Demarini F3 32" best pop

[PHSN VARSITY 24]

It depends, what size drop does your son have to use. But I agree, I would use a 32 inch bat, preferably from the makers of EASTON or TPX. I don't like the Demarini alloy, and Worth... is really Worth nothing!

[MB59]

If I were you I wouldn't worry about anything. If you have a 9 year old that is 5'5" he could swing a tree.

[Speedy42]

Looks like your son's size is borderline according to the bat guide. I've always gone with the smaller size for my son and his teammates with good results. Example: my son, according to bat guide, should be swinging a 30" bat, but it feels too long for him, so he went with a 29" and is very happy. He has a couple of teammates that are borderline as well and they too are happy they went with something one inch smaller than guide suggested. I would go with a 31" max and he could probably handle -10 to -8 drop Senior League bat unless he's in Little League then I would go with the -10 2 1/4" bat like the ComBat Virus or B1. Using a bat one inch smaller than guide, to me anyways, should give your son better bat control. I'm only 5'6" and I (if I didn't tear my rotator in 8th grade and still played ball) wouldn't even use a 32" bat. I like how a 31" and sometimes a 30" bat feels in my hands. Just ask Hardhitter what size he uses and he's 6'6".
By the way, check out TechZilla 31" -9 drop. Bet your son would like that bat as well.

[Riverbase]

Barry Bonds length of preference is 34 inches; Ty Cobb 34.5 inches, Hank Aaron 35 inches. There is absolutely no need to put a 9 yr old kid on a 32" bat. I don't care how big he is. The guides are just that a guide and there are many different ones. One based on hight/weight, one on age, others for picking bat weight. The biggest thing you need to do is move up from a -11. Move up a size if you can but adding weight will help also. Biggest thing is don't go from a 30" -11 to a 32" -8 and expect the same results. I agree with Speedy's choice if he can handle the length and weight increase at the same time. the Techzilla if he hits the sweet spot will bring the rain.

[hardhitter]

I'm 6'6" and still swing a 32" bat, why in gods name would you want that at 9 tears old?

even at that size (like to see him btw, might be a record) I wouldn't go over 30", he needs to learn bat control, extra lenght will only hurt that. add weight no length.

post a pic. that's the biggest 9 year old I've ever heard about

[2ManyBats]

Hardhitter, Riverbase, Speedy42 are on the mark.

My 9yr old would pitch him inside to start, then away. And he better be ready for the changeup. He'll never get a fat strike over the plate on purpose. At that age I think it's all about bat speed, good swing -form, staying back on change ups, and hitting the ball out infront of the plate.

My sons have been taught to look at the pitcher they are about to face and select their bat that they feel will best do the job. Basically, they have a higher drop # bat for the pitchers that are throwing BB's. I've witness this being done over the years, and the players doing it have become very high quality players.

[Mid-Ohio Blaze]

My son just turned 10 last week and he is 5"5' 140. He is swinging a 30 18 virus. He loves this bat mainly because he can manipulate it at his level and it has great pop. If he continues to grow and get stronger we will move up to a -10 drop virus but will keep the 30 in length. He plays at a high level of travel ball where 10 year olds are throwing 60+ This weight is just perfect for that type of gas. Just my .02.

[scott]

I've got a 9yo son that is 5'5 and 140 swings a Techzilla 31/22. Yesterday's tournament hit a triple, double and 5 single. Its all about bat speed, seeing the ball and fundamentals.

[AlbinBats]

This is the Bat of the Future!!!

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