Bat Sizing
Bat Chart
Success at the plate often comes down to this: making consistent hard contact against live pitching. To do this, it’s important to swing the right bat for you. That means a bat that’s long enough to cover the strike zone, light enough to swing with ease, heavy enough to generate power, and, of course, permitted in your league.
In order to find the ideal size for you, consider the following guidelines. *According to USSSA rules, players 13U must swing -8 or heavier and 14U must swing -8.
Association | Age | Weight Drop |
---|---|---|
BBCOR | High School | -3 |
USA & USSSA | 13-14 | -5 |
12-13' | -8 | |
10-12' | -10 | |
10 & Under | -11+ |
Most Popular Length by Age | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age | 5-7 | 8-9 | 10 | 11-12 | 13-14 | 15-16 |
Length | 24"-26" | 26"-28" | 28"-29" | 30"-31" | 31"-32" | 32"-33" |
LENGTH, WEIGHT, WEIGHT DROP – AND WHY THEY MATTER
Many baseball players believe a longer bat means better plate coverage – but that’s not always the case. A longer bat is often swings heavier, and if it’s too long for you, can reduce your swing speed and keep you from catching up to certain pitches. Even some professional players swing bats as short as 32”. When choosing your bat length, keep plate coverage in mind – but also consider your swing and stance, as well.
Bat Technology
What goes into a bat?
A baseball bat is more than just a hunk of metal or wood. It is a carefully engineered tool that allows players to get the most out of every swing. Each component of the bat, from knob to end cap, is designed to maximize every ounce of performance. There are four main tech components you should understand when it comes to bats: material, barrel diameter, construction and weight balance.
COMPOSITE/ALLOY
Non-wood bats are built from either alloy, composite, or a combination of the two.
Wood Composite
These bats differ from other wood bats, since they are multiple combinations of materials -- rather than one natural piece of wood -- with the goal of increased durability with wood-like performance. While wood composites are less susceptible to breakage, they also require league approval for use. So before buying a wood composite bat, make sure it is approved for play in your league.
*Wood bats are more likely to break or crack on mishits than Alloy and Composite bats
Leagues
Governing bodies
Governing bodies, such as USSSA or USA Baseball set unique standards for bat performance – which manufacturers then build do. In other words, bats meeting one standard may not meet another. Approved bats are clearly marked with league and association logos for the standards they meet.
The following information will help you understand the various standards. If you’re looking for your specific league regulations and standards, we strongly recommend consulting your local league official or coach prior to purchasing a new bat.
League Specifications
USABat FAQ
-
USABats can have barrels up to 2 5⁄8” diameter and do not have weight drop restrictions.
USABats are marked with a new USA baseball logo located just above the grip on a bat.
-
It replaces the standards previously adopted by the member organizations: American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC), Babe Ruth Baseball/Cal Ripken Baseball, Dixie Youth Baseball & Dixie Boys Baseball, Little League Baseball and PONY Baseball.
-
Bats with the new USA Baseball approval stamp were made available for purchase on September 1, 2017. Players participating in leagues adopting the new USA Baseball bat standard must use approved bats beginning on January 1, 2018. Check with your league to see if they are adopting the new USA Baseball bat standard.
-
USABats will have the USA Baseball mark shown below on the area between the bat’s barrel and grip. We always recommend that you check with our local league to see if your bat is approved.
To help you find these bats in store - all DeMarini bats will have a green sticker identifying it as USA Baseball approved.
-
We recommend you work directly with the retailer where the bat was purchased. For bats purchased on www.demarini.com please see our warranty policy.
-
USA Baseball bat standard has no restrictions in weight drop. In addition, bats with a 2 1⁄4” and 2 5⁄8” barrel diameter are approved under the USA Baseball bat standard.
-
USA Baseball approved bats can be composite, alloy, wood or a combination of these materials.
-
Yes; provided the wood bat bears a USA Baseball mark. Please check with your coach/league official to find out what wood bats are approved in your league.
-
The following leagues will have adopted the USA Baseball bat standard; American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC), Babe Ruth Baseball/Cal Ripken Baseball, Dixie Youth Baseball & Dixie Boys Baseball, Little League Baseball and PONY Baseball. *Note: Any league can adopt the USA Baseball bat standard. So, we recommend checking with your local league before purchasing a bat.
-
The new USA Baseball bat standard also covers tee ball bats. As of January 1, 2018, a tee ball bat will only be permitted for play in leagues that have adopted the USABat Standard, if the bat (1) bears the USA Baseball mark and (2) is used only with USA Baseball-approved tee balls.
Tee ball bats are not required to undergo lab testing to be approved under the USA Baseball bat standard – but they must bear the new USA Baseball mark on the bat.
-
No – The USA Baseball bat standard only applies to youth baseball that plays under USA baseball rules.
-
DeMarini has multiple bats available in a variety of swing weights, lengths, and materials. You can check them out here: USA Bat page