GOVERNING BODIES

Governing bodies (for example, the USSSA and USA Baseball) set unique standards for bat performance. Bat manufacturers make bats to meet these standards. Each standard, however, is different. So, bats meeting one standard may not meet another. Bats are marked with logos identifying the standard which they meet.

Leagues adopt the standard they deem appropriate for play under their particular rules. League adoptions vary region by region, so we highly recommend consulting your coach and/or league official to understand the standard adopted by your league prior to purchasing a new bat.

The following information will help you understand in the standard adopted by your league:

Select your governing body or league^*:

^*Regulations for each league are subject to change. In order to have the most up-to-date information, please contact your coach or league official.

Wood bats are also legal for BBCOR play and do not need the BBCOR mark. Wood composite bats on the other hand do need the BBCOR mark to be legal for play.

Not all -3 BBCOR bats feel the same. Often, a line of BBCOR bats is made with varying swing weights, from light-swinging to balanced to end-loaded. The swing weight is influenced by how the bat’s weight is distributed. End-loaded bats have more weight toward the end cap, more and have a relatively higher swing weight for that reason. More balanced bats have their weight distributed more evenly and have a relatively lower swing weight for that reason. For more information on end-loaded and balanced bats, please see the Bat Technology section.

A 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. Every component of the bat, from the knob to the end cap, is designed to maximize every ounce of performance. There are four main technical components you need to know for your bat: Material, Construction, Barrel Diameter and Weight Balance.

Material

One of the biggest influences on bat performance is its material. Bats are made of metal, composites, or wood. Metal and composite bats are typically made of composite or alloy material, and are traditionally used for youth baseball through college baseball. Wood, meanwhile, is used throughout the professional levels, as well as for specific amateur and travel ball leagues/organizations. Please read below to learn more about bat materials and how they affect performance.

Composite Vs. Alloy

Non-wood bats are built from either alloy, composite, or a combination of the two.

Composite

Composite bats are made with a layered material (often carbon fiber) that is easy to distribute, giving us the ability to make bats with a variety of swing weights, from balanced to end-loaded.

Pros of Composite:

• Minimize the sting from a mis-hit ball by reducing vibration to the hands

• Often have a larger sweet spot than alloy bats

SHOP COMPOSITE BATS

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.

SHOP WOOD COMPOSITE BATS

Construction

One-piece bats are one complete piece of composite or alloy and are often used by power hitters, since they provide less flex on contact.

Two-piece bats are comprised of two separate parts: the barrel and the handle. The handle is connected to the barrel through a transition piece in the taper area of the bat. Two-piece construction helps minimize vibration on mis-hit balls. Those bats are preferred by contact hitters, since the two-part construction helps generate maximum swing speed without the fear of major sting on contact.

Barrel Diameter

The barrel is the thickest and widest part of the bat used to hit the ball. The barrel is where you want to hit the ball in order to achieve maximum performance.

Barrels come in different sizes, and are measured by diameter. Barrel diameter is measured in inches and, like weight drop, certain leagues limit the size of a bat’s barrel. Please refer to the Your League on what your league requires. Generally, these are the most common barrel diameters:

• 2 ³⁄₄ inches
• 2 ⁵⁄₈ inches
• 2 ¹⁄₂ inches
• 2 ¹⁄₄ inches

Swing Weight

A factor you may not see, but will definitely feel is the swing weight* of your bat. Bats are often segmented by their given length and weight. The Swing weight is a determination of how a bat’s particular weight is distributed along the bat’s length. For example, you can have two bats that are 30 ounces, but that have different swing weights because the 30 ounces are distributed differently in the bat. Bats can fall along the swing weight spectrum, from light to balanced to end-loaded.

End-loaded bats shift extra weight toward the end of the barrel, creating more whip-like action on a player’s swing and generating more power.

Balanced bats have a more even weight distribution, allowing for potentially greater swing speed for many hitters. This is preferred by contact hitters who want more control of their swing.

DeMarini bats use different names to identify end-load versus balance. End-loaded bats feature the word “Insane” in the bat name, while balanced bats feature the word “Zen".

^*Note - there are a variety of swing weights offered to meet player needs.