Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Fri Jul 13 05:42:32 2001

We currently run a youth baseball travel team and we have some rumblings regarding bat size vs. bat speed. We beeleive that the hitter if he swings the smallest bat to acheive the highest bat speed will result in a better hitter at age 10-12. Others feel that swinging a larger bat, once contact is made will result in a farther hit ball and thus the larger bat is of choice. As the players move up the ladder, pitchers will throw fast and those who swing a large bat will suffer. What is you opinion of bat size dynamics and are we teaching the right points?
> > Thanks in advance
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> jeff forsberg,
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> there is only one criteria that is stated by players, coaches, bat manufacturers, etc. - that i believe is gospel: (...get a bat that feels good...".
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> translated: "...get a bat you can control..."
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> and if you believe that kids, below the age you state, can't determine this correctly by themselves - then you have to do it for them. any coach worth his salt can spot a kid swingin' a stick he can't control.
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> most everybody that picks a bat uses the wrong criteria. length to weight ratio, alloy composite, barrel size, money - all the wrong reasons.
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> should look at grip thickness, balance point, and control feel.
> it's gotta feel right. and it's gotta look right.
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> ray porco

Bat length is as important as weight, though the problems it causes are less obvious.
I don't know why, but a bat that light enough but is a few inches too long will swing a bit slow. Maybe because more weight is farther from the body/hands.
Be careful with the ultralight bats - you can find one light enough to swing and yet get submaximum results due to an extra inch or two in length.
I've seen it happen but it is more subtle than a kid swinging a bat that is too heavy.