BAT RESOURCE GUIDE

TYPES OF BATS

Tee Ball: -10.5 to -14 length-to-weight ratio with a 2 1/4'' barrel diameter. Meant for youth players who are hitting baseballs or softballs placed on a tee.
Junior Big Barrel / Coach Pitch: -9 to -12 length-to-weight ratio with a 2 3/4'' barrel diameter. Meant for players who are in coach pitch leagues and for velocities less than 40 mph.
Youth: -9 to -13 length-to-weight ratio with a 2 1/4'' barrel diameter. Meant for youth players required to use a 2 1/4'' barrel diameter.
Senior League / Youth Big Barrel: -5 to -12 length-to-weight ratio with either a 2 5/8'' or a 2 3/4'' barrel diameter. Meant for youth players that are allowed to use a big barrel diameter.
BBCOR: -3 length-to-weight ratio with a 2 5/8'' barrel diameter. Required for the high school and collegiate level baseball.
Fastpitch Softball: -8 to -13 length-to-weight ratio with a 2 1/4'' barrel diameter. Meant for fastpitch softball players of all ages.
Slow Pitch Softball: -3 to -8 length-to-weight ratio with a 2 1/4'' barrel diameter. The most common weights are 26, 27 and 28 ounces.
Fungo: Fungo bats are lightweight bats used by coaches to hit infield or outfield practice.

BAT SIZING

We recommend the longest and heaviest bat that you can swing without losing bat speed. Although the Feel of the bat will be the most important factor. You have to make sure it feels right to you. The more you like it the more confident you will be at the plate!

We usually start with a length based on a player's height and weight as seen below. As far as the best weight, it is difficult to make a recommendation because it will vary from player to player depending on one's personal preference, hitting style, bat speed, and strength. If you can please come into the store and we will size you for a bat. While they can have the same measurements often different bats feel different and it's beneficial to take some swings with them at the store.

Click the Chart to Enlarge

LENGTH-to-WEIGHT RATIO

The ''DROP'' as some may call it, or the number with the MINUS in front of it is the LENGTH-to-WEIGHT ratio. This defines the difference between the length of the bat in inches and the weight of the bat in ounces. The larger the number, the lighter the bat.
EXAMPLE: 32'' (inch) -10 bat = 22 ounces.

BAT CARE

Limit the bat to individual use.
Do not use in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do not store the bat in extremely hot or cold temperature areas. It takes about 4 hours for a bat to reach the temperature that it is in. You can use the bats in colder weather as long as they are stored in warm places.
Do not use the bat to hit the dirt off of your metal cleats
Use regulation leather covered baseballs and softballs. Avoid the dimpled yellow cage balls.
Do not hit waterlogged balls
Routinely check your bat for any damage
Rotate your bat 1/4 turn each swing to distribute the hitting surface evenly

BREAK IN

Aluminum / Alloy bats do not require a break-in period. These bats are ''hot out of the wrapper'' and can be used in a game right away.
Composite bats may require a break-in period. If you feel your bat is not at optimal performance out of the wrapper, we recommend about 50-100 swings either off of a tee or by soft toss with a 1/4 rotation of the barrel after each swing.

ILLEGAL BREAK IN PROCESSES

Both Shaving and Rolling bats are ILLEGAL. We do NOT recommend these as they will result in:

Legal Action: If someone is injured while using an altered bat the owner of the bat, person in the batters box and person who altered the bat are liable for the outcome and can face charges for the damages.
You void the Manufacturer Warranty
Lessen the durability of your bat

Rolling is the process of compressing a composite bat between two rollers to accelerate the break-in period.
Shaving is the process of removing the bats end-cap and shaving the insides of the bat walls to make the bat walls thinner.

BAT CERTIFICATIONS

BBCOR: Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution. This certification is the standard that regulates the overall performance of adult bats used by high school and collegiate players. BBCOR measures the trampoline effect of the bat.
USSSA: United States Specialty Sports Association.
USSSA BPF 1.15: Bat Performance Factor measures how fast the ball comes off of the bat. 1.15 is the standard for youth baseball bats.
USSSA BPF 1.20: Bat Performance Factor for Slow Pitch and Fastpitch softball governed leagues.
USSSA BPF 1.21: Bat Performance Factor for Slow Pitch senior softball leagues such as SSUSA.
ASA: Amateur Softball Association.
ISA: Independent Softball Association.
ISF: International Softball Federation.
NSA: National Softball Association.
SSUSA: Senior Softball-USA