Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Mon Oct 29 06:08:04 2001

I have read a lot of the arguments about heavy vs light bats. In my reading I always see the phrase "a heavy bat swung at the same speed as a light bat will produce more distance". I agree with that, BUT who can swing a 32oz bat as fast as fast as they can swing a 28oz bat. The answer is no-one. If you can swing a 32oz'er 80mph that same individual can swing a 28oz at least 5 mph more. With that said lets throw in bat control. Take the same individual using the 32oz and 28oz example. Just as with the swing speed example - there is no way you can control a 32oz bat in the same manner that you can control a 28oz. You will have to commit much earlier with the 32oz leaving yourself vulnerable to just about everything.
> >
> > There is a point I am sure where a bat is too light. I am not sure what point that is. Bat weight does not equal power. Bat speed equals power. Per individual the lighter bat will always equal more bat speed. Add in the bat control of the lighter bat, and you have the tool for a complete hitter.
>
> PaulP, I have a lot of kids that come in to my facility(a batting cage/training center) that swing the ultra light bats. I won't discern between genders because its the same for both. What I witness is they think that batspeed is the ultimate measure of power but they constantly hit the ball into the ground in front of them and they can't figure out why. Video shows that most of them are either swinging down and or hitting the ball too far out in front which causes the ball to hit the bat at an angle (not perpindicular ) to the pitch. These kids have heard for so long from other coaches to "hit the ball out in front" that they do what they are told. Getting them to wait and hit the ball squarely in the zone is a tough adjustment for them. Sometimes having them swing a slightly heavier bat slows them down just enough to get them to power the ball back up the middle. Video has also shown me that the lighter bats tend to have more deflection on impact with the ball than a heavier bat has.
> In the girls cases, the ones who swing 26 oz. bats (the lighter range of slowpitch) are crushing the ball in both practice and games.As far as bat control vs. weight is concerned, in the absence of good rotational mechanics and adjustments to the plane of the pitch, a few ounces less weight is not going to make that much difference. I see bat weight used as an excuse for poor hitting mechanics every day.
> Just my opinion, Stevo

I have posted on this topic before but its been a while. Ultralite bats are great for the 6-10 yr olds and smaller 11s and 12s who aren't big enough or strong enough to swing a heavier bat but need enough length to cover the strike zone - especially the bigger strike zones of youth baseball where the pitchers have poor control and the strike zone is expanded to keep the game going.
Good mechanics allow even smaller kids to swing heavier bats at the same speed as an untralite.
I believe that with reasonably good mechanics (rotational, use of body, not just arms, etc.) any, I mean ANY Little Leaguer (10-12 yrs old) can swing a -7 or even -5 bat with plenty of bat speed.
THe most ridiculous thing I see is 12 yr old little leaguers who are 5'8", 150 lbs swinging a $250+ -11 bat. What's the point.???
If you can measure your batspeed (radar gun, Setpro equipment, etc.) then experiment with different weights and lengths and you will find a range of 3-5 ounces where you have good bat speed. Heavier, the speed drops too much, lighter, no appreciable gain.
Hitters should use bats in the upper end of the good range, then maybe drop an ounce for a particularly fast pitcher or if not feeling 100%.
Lighter isn't better. Too heavy is death. Too light is counterproductive.
I'd like to see -3 for high school. -5 for Babe Ruth (13-15) -7 for Little League (10-12) and unlimited below that.