Best Youth Baseball Bats
When it comes to finding the best youth baseball bats to suit your young ballplayer, you might find it a bit of a challenge, even more now since the Little League guidelines have changed. With all the choices for you to choose it can be a bit tricky, especially when you’re not sure what makes a good bat.
If you feel a bit overwhelmed there is no need for worry, we’ve got you covered. This simple guide will give you a few tips along with some advice all bundled in the end with 5 of the best youth baseball bats you can choose.
Where to Begin: Choosing the Right Baseball Bat
Before starting your journey toward baseball bat victory, you should look at the regulations for your child’s team. You should also know that an older bat will probably no longer work since the guidelines for Little League have changed. All bats must be USAB stamped to be a legal bat. You will also need to consider your child’s age and height when making your choice. If you plan to order online, it would be a good idea to allow your child to try out a few bats before making the final purchase.
If your youthful player is taller you will want to choose a longer bat, likewise if they are smaller, than a shorter bat will work the best. For a power hitter, you will want a heavier bat, and a beginner or soft hitter might be more comfortable with a lighter bat.
The best way to choose the proper length is to stand the bat on its head and put your child’s hand in the handle’s knob. If it rests with ease in the palm of their hand, then that would be the correct size to choose.
What’s all this Technical Stuff
When you’re shopping for the bat that’s right for your young athlete you will see a bunch of numbers comparing the size of the barrel, a weird number representing something called a weight drop, and the numbers next to the length and weight. What does all this mean? Let’s break it down in terms you will better understand.
- Barrel Size: This is the largest part of the bat, it’s measured in diameters. This is important for the speed of the bat, the width of the sweet spot, and even for the weight. The smaller the barrel for example, the lighter the bat will be and the faster it will swing. A larger and longer barrel will deliver a bigger sweet spot. You will generally find a barrel size to be 2 1/2- inches in diameter.
- Weight Drop: The weight drop refers to the size of the bat; it measures in the middle of the length of the bat to the weight of it. When you see a number with a minus sign in front of it that is considered to be the weight drop. The higher the number, the lighter the bat will be, so this is an important factor for so many reasons when it comes to the size and hitting style of your child.
- Length and Weight: Of course, this is also something that shouldn’t be overlooked when choosing which bat is right for your child. As explained before, if your young player is taller you will want a longer bat and a shorter one for a smaller child. This number is measured in inches and should be tested before making a final decision. As we discussed earlier, you can stand the bat on its head and put your child’s hand on the knob to test the proper fit.
Picking from some of the Best Baseball Bats Available
By now you should be ready to move forward in making your choice. Good advice would be to allow your child to help you choose the one that would fit best. They know what feels right and which one will work with their style. The following gives you a choice of the 5 best youth baseball bats you can choose. Each one is USA approved for the new rules and you will see all the technical stats separated for comparison. If you’re still not sure which one would be the best choice or if you don’t know which size to choose, you should consider talking to your child’s coach before you make a final decision.
1. Louisville Slugger WTLUBS718B10
- Meets new USA Baseball Youth standard
- Hybrid construction with ST 7U1+ alloy barrel and composite handle for maximum durability and power
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Your child will enjoy the solid pop that comes with every hit of this 3-piece bat. It’s lightweight and easy to hold with no vibration and a lot of hitting power. It’s available in two color choices suitable for boys or girls and comes in sizes between 29 to 32-inches long. A -10-weight drop makes it perfect for younger children, the barrel size is 2 5/8- inches in diameter, and it is USA stamped for the new Little League rules. This one holds the highest rating of all the others on our list and although the price may seem to be a bit steep that only adds to its value. This is a solid bat for the money and you won’t be disappointed when you make this choice.
Highlights of this Bat
- USA approved
- It comes in various lengths from 29 to 32-inches long
- The weight drop is -10
- The barrel size is 2 5/8-inches in diameter
- It’s available in two color choices
2. Rawlings 2018 5150 USA Baseball Bat
- High-performance metal Baseball bat delivers exceptional pop and balance
- Engineered with p0p 2.0 technology for an expanded sweet spot
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
With this bat, your child will pop those balls like never before. The single-piece alloy frame comes in lengths from 27 to 31-inches long with a barrel size of 2 5/8-inches in diameter. The weight drop is offered in -11, -10, and -5, so no matter the age or preference, your player should have no problem finding the perfect match. The bat provides a broad sweet spot with pop and balance, unlike the rest. With the new standards, it’s difficult to find the perfect bat, but the quality of this one won’t let you down. The ratings are great, and the price is affordable, so you can’t ask for anything more from this pick.
Highlights of this Bat
- USA approved
- It comes in various lengths from 27 to 31-inches long
- Your choice of weight drop; -11, -10, or -5
- The barrel size is 2 5/8- inches in diameter
- It provides a broad sweet spot
3. Louisville Slugger Omaha 518 (-10) 2018 USA 2 5/8 Barrel Bat
- Meets new USA Baseball Youth standard
- 1pc 7-series alloy construction that delivers a huge sweet spot
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
With an even weight distribution, this one-piece aluminum bat is perfect for a level swing. It features a thick, comfortable grip that might otherwise be hard to find and with a weight drop of -10, it will be light enough for a younger player to control. It’s offered in two colors with lengths from 27 to 31-inches long depending on your color choice and a barrel size of 2 5/8-inches in diameter. It’s ready to play in the Little Leagues with a USAB stamp and it’s approved for several other leagues as well. It comes with a good set of ratings and a price tag that’s easy to look at. Your young player will thank you when you make this choice.
Highlights of this Bat
- USA approved
- It comes in various lengths from 27 to 31-inches long
- The weight drop is -10
- The barrel size is 2 5/8-inches in diameter
- It’s available in two color choices
4. DeMarini 2018 Voodoo (-10) 2 5/8 Balanced USA Baseball Bat
- X14 alloy for more precise weight distribution
- 3Fusion handle for greater weight control and feel
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This two-piece alloy bat features a 2 5/8- inch diameter at the barrel and a -10-weight drop. The durability of this one provides a solid pop and a balanced weight for a perfect swing. Although it’s only offered in one color, you do have a wide selection of lengths from 28 to 32-inches long so you shouldn’t have a problem finding one that will fit perfectly in the hands of your young athlete. It’s approved with a USA stamp for the new regulations and the price is good for the quality of the bat. With its good rating, its fair price, and its features, you won’t go wrong in choosing this bat for your child.
Highlights of this Bat
- USA approved
- It comes in various lengths from 28 to 32-inches long
- The weight drop is -10
- The barrel size is 2 5/8-inches in diameter
- It offers a nice pop
5. Easton 2018 USA Youth Baseball Bat
- 10 length to weight ratio
- 2 1/4 inch barrel diameter
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This might be a good choice for a first-time player because it’s easy to handle and the price won’t upset your bank account just in case your young one decides not to play next year. It’s lightweight and powerful with a -10-drop weight, so it will prove to be light enough for a beginner. It’s only available in one color but it does offer a wide selection of length from 27 to 31-inches long and the barrel is a bit different from the others with a 2 ¼ inch diameter. It is USA certified for Little League and it holds a good rating. With all this, you can see why this is one you should consider.
Highlights of this Bat
- USA approved
- It comes in various lengths from 27 to 31-inches long
- The weight drop is -10
- The barrel size is 2 ¼-inches in diameter
- It would be ideal for a beginner
There you have it, 5 of the best youth baseball bats. Make sure you check out some fun outdoor activities as well.