In this age of sports science and technology, selecting the right bat is not easy and not having the right bat might result in lower performance.
It is a fact, that players with good mechanics can and will hit with anything they can swing. However, it is also a fact that the bat length, weight, balance and type of material used to build it can help or hindered the success of a player at the plate.
Bats can be expensive and as a player grows in strength, height, skill level, and moves up to the next age division, they might need to buy a new bat. A player might also need a new bat based on the regulations and certifications required by an age division or league.
Besides brand and model preferences, these are general rules to buy the right bat:
The length of a bat should be approximately the distance from the floor to the connection of hip and femur bones or from the center of the chest to the base of the fingers of the player.
The weight of a bat should be based on the strength of the player and division regulations. A player should be able to keep the bat level horizontally at shoulder height while holding it with the non-dominant arm for 5-10 seconds. A heavy bat might produce more impact momentum but might slow the barrel speed if a player is not strong enough to swing it. A lighter bat might allow a player to have more hand speed but weaker impact momentum.
The balance of a bat should be based on the strength, skill level and type of swing path of each level. For instance: a strong player, with good mechanics and a positive attack and launch angle might benefit by using an end loaded bat, but a strong player, with good mechanics and more neutral attack and launch angle might be more successful using a balanced barrel. However, beginner and intermediate hitters should learn and practice their mechanics with a balanced bat that they can control perfectly.
The more common materials used to build bats are wood, aluminum, and composites. Hybrids bats are built with two kind or more kind of such materials. Many bats’ designs and materials are patented by individual brands, so it is hard to compare or assume bat performances by the looks or brand name. Each material, brand and model have its pro and cons based on performance, durability and quality of materials. When it comes to the materials and construction of the bat is more about player’s preferences and division and league regulations.
Comments