Bats are must-haves for many players. They vary in lengths, materials, weight, and sizes that finding one that will fit, you can be quite intimidating. Some of the essential factors to consider include getting one that fits your skill level, and you should not have any difficulties in making unique swings.
There are also improvements in technology that lets manufacturers create better improvements and options than ever. But this can also mean that you will have a better chance of finding baseball bats that will be right for you. If you are just getting started and you need to get one, then here are a few tips that you may want to consider before buying.
What You Need to Know Before Buying
1. Get the Proper Length
If you buy, get your weight and height before shopping online or buying from your local sporting store. You may provide this info to the sellers, and they can help you find the right length. There are charts online that can help you determine the right size, so it’s best to check them out.
For example, if you are 11 years old, with a height of 4.9″ and weighs 150, then a 31″ length should be right for you. It’s always better to double-check if you are getting the proper length. Try to hold the bat to the side of your body.
As long as your palm can reach the handle while the other end touches the ground, then this is something that may work well for you. If you need to bend to get to the handle, then the length may be too short, and you may want to consider another one. Read more info about the bats when you click here.
Other Ways to Measure the Right Length for You
a. Placing the bat’s bottom in your chest’s center. Ensure that it’s parallel to the outstretched arm and it should be pointing to the side. If you can comfortably reach the top part with the edge of your fingers, then they are the right one for you.
b. The bottom should be positioned on your chest’s center. If you can grab the barrel, then choose this as it can make a more comfortable play.
c. Position the bat against your right leg’s side. If the end can reach the center of your palms when you try to hold it, then this is the appropriate one for you.
2. Obtain the One with the Best Weight
The best ones out there will enable you to have multiple swings, and it should not be too heavy. You can try to hold the handle and extend your arms from one side to another. If you feel like dropping it after about 40 to 50 seconds, then try another one.
Ensure that you consider the drop weight as well when buying. This is determined by subtracting the total weight from the length. The greater the drop weight, the lighter it will be. More muscular and larger players may tend to favor lesser drop weights, and this can result in increased power and speed. Smaller ones can benefit from greater drop weights because of more speed.
3. Know the Materials
The two primary materials that you can choose from are metal and wood. The wooden ones are usually made from maple, ash, or birch. The yield and qualities will vary, and the qualities are based on manufacturers.
Many alloys or aluminum can be instantly used the moment that you unwrap them from the boxes. You won’t have to do the break-in, and no downtime required. Others have smaller sweet spots, but they are usable at any temperature, and they can last longer. The alloy ones are more affordable than their composites.
There are the composite varieties that put out lesser vibrations and larger sweet spots. This can reduce the stinging that a player can feel, especially after a poor contact. The more expensive ones may require a break-in of about 200 hits before you can use them in actual sports.
Wooden bats are still quite the favorite when it comes to hearing the ball connect to it. It’s prevalent because of its classic sound and feels. However, they can be prone to breaks and cracks after a time, and they are not as durable as their composite counterparts.
Construction
One-piece varieties are already a combination of alloys or composites. Read more about their differences here: http://www.differencebetween.net/object/difference-between-alloy-and-composite-bat/. They are popular with power hitters because they don’t flex as much upon contact with the ball. One-piece is made up of continuous metal and provides little flex, resulting in no or slight energy loss. It
There are multi-piece bats made by two different components: the first is the barrel, and the second is the handle. The handle is connected to the taper area and transition piece. The multi-piece is constructed in such a way that it will help the mis-hit of the balls as well as the vibrations. Contact batters prefer these because the two parts can result in maximum swing speeds with the absence of stings.
Swing Weights
You may not often see this factor, but you will feel this once you are swinging it. The bats are usually segmented by their given weight and length. Swings are determining how a specific weight is distributed all through the length.
For example, those bats that weigh around 30 ounces but have different weights are because the heaviness and lightness are distributed in other parts. You can choose from balanced, light, and end-loaded when it comes to the swing weight spectrum.
End-Loaded Varieties – The extra shift focuses on the barrel’s end, creating more whip-like movements and power on a swing.
Balanced Bats – They carry a more balanced distribution and allow many hitters to have more swing speed. This is preferred by people who want more control.
The way a bat feels on a player’s hand is always more important than any reviews and materials used. You can always get the ones that feel natural to you and personalize your equipment according to your preference. Find the sweet spot that fits you best with the right professionals’ help and shop in your area.
