[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Baseball bats? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/27/2017 12:23:10 PM EDT
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My son started his first season of little league this year. He is ten, so he's way behind, but catching up fast.
I went to academy to look at bats, they are running $1-400. Is there a better place to look? I hate to drop four bills on something he's gonna outgrow in a season. What do you guys with multiple kids playing serious ball do, spend $1k a year on bats? |
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Just bought my son an Easton S500. Very light and good pop.
Bat |
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Unfortunately aluminum bats are a consumable.. they also seem to be a status symbol. Used might be used up.. but at a younger age it is not going to matter as much as when he gets older if he is still playing.
I think getting the right size and weight is more important than what bat it is at this stage too. You will need to take him to the store, pick some out that fit him and have him swing em, even hit some practice balls if the store has a cage. |
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At that age they're just not strong enough to get any real advantage from the improved performance of a tier 1 bat. As the get older it will make a big difference, but not yet.
Look for an appropriate length/drop for his size and strength. Then check the reviews to make sure you're getting one that doesn't have a rep for vibration and hand stinging. There are decent bats in the $50-$75 range for 10-year-olds. Definitely under $100. Of course, he's going to see a teammate with a $400 Easton Mako and want that. Be prepared. PRO TIP: Look for last year's models, or even the year before, at Dick's, Just Bats, Cheap Bats. Serious discounts if you're not interested in the latest thang. ETA: Here go. All under $100. You can even select model year. Cheap Bats - Youth Aluminum Bats |
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My son has played baseball every year since he was 5. The last three years he has been playing high level select ball. I can tell you that batting is the Indian, not the arrow. I have seen "poor" kids using Walmart bats hit homers just as often as the kids with $400 bats. Sure, some composite bats have a little more pop once broken in, and the two piece bats help reduce sting, but for the most part the kid's form and pitch selection are much more important. Also check the league rules for barrel diameter and if any certifications are required.
For beginners I suggest the lightest swing weight, most youth bats are -10 (pronounced drop-ten, so the weight in ounces is 10 less than the length ex: 29 inches drop-ten is 19 ounces) but some manufacturers make as low as a -12. Resist the urge to go too long and heavy, my son is 4' 11" and he uses a 29 -12 from Combat. The lighter swing weight allows them to position the bat on the pitch easier because of lower inertia and teaches quick hands and better form. The higher bat speed makes up for the lighter weight so hits are just as far. There is a point where the lightness gives diminishing returns, If your son is a big corn-fed hoss he may overswing with a bat that is too light. If so, the -10 may be better for him, it just depends on his strength. |
| I went through this last year..we went by the store and my son (9 years old, 58 pounds) swung the lightest Mako made...swung it like a bag of feral cats, it was terrible..left with a $100 Easton, and it was a fantastic choice for him..it's always the batter, never the bat. There were some older kids on his team that used the Mako, but they were in the upper end on the hitting scale so it made sense to them...bats aren't something kids "grow" into. |
| At that age--unless he makes a VERY competitive travel team--don't waste big money. First, he may not play next year. 2, he may not make a team next year if he WANTS to play. Having had 2 daughters play high level softball--I made the decision that the best bat from last year was good enough for them...and there came a point where the bats they had were better than the newer ones. |
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Go to justbats.com to get a good price.
At 10 a good bat with pop can make a difference, but not a big one. My son likes Easton bats and is playing for a large, very competitive high school. Good post above...kids don't grow into bats! be prepared to buy a new one every couple years. |
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make your own with a dremel. Actually Rockler Woodworking and Woodcraft sell ash and maple bat blanks that you can turn into a bat. Then get a soldering iron and burn "Wonderboy" into the barrel. $20. That's not too bad Rockler Woodworking ash bat blank Woodcraft ash bat blank Most Woodcraft stores have a in-store tool room, with lathes, etc. for a fee they might let you turn it there with supervision if you don't have your own lathe. |
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Quoted:
My son started his first season of little league this year. He is ten, so he's way behind, but catching up fast. I went to academy to look at bats, they are running $1-400. Is there a better place to look? I hate to drop four bills on something he's gonna outgrow in a season. What do you guys with multiple kids playing serious ball do, spend $1k a year on bats? To me aluminum bats are dangerous. Especially to pitchers, a lot of leagues down here make pitchers wear helmets and facemasks |
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Quoted:
My son started his first season of little league this year. He is ten, so he's way behind, but catching up fast. I went to academy to look at bats, they are running $1-400. Is there a better place to look? I hate to drop four bills on something he's gonna outgrow in a season. What do you guys with multiple kids playing serious ball do, spend $1k a year on bats? www.closeoutbats.com is a legit site to get last years models for cheaper. I have a DeMarini EVO sitting in the garage, it's a 2 1/4 inch 29/17. It is an entry level all aluminum bat. It was a warranty replacement from another one my son dented last year. My son hit about 10 balls with it and liked his other one better. Practically a new bat. It's good for little league this year (new bat standards next year) and should be good for an average sized 10 year old. If you want it PM me and pay shipping and I'll get it out to you. |
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www.closeoutbats.com is a legit site to get last years models for cheaper. I have a DeMarini EVO sitting in the garage, it's a 2 1/4 inch 29/17. It is an entry level all aluminum bat. It was a warranty replacement from another one my son dented last year. My son hit about 10 balls with it and liked his other one better. Practically a new bat. It's good for little league this year (new bat standards next year) and should be good for an average sized 10 year old. If you want it PM me and pay shipping and I'll get it out to you. Quoted:
Quoted:
My son started his first season of little league this year. He is ten, so he's way behind, but catching up fast. I went to academy to look at bats, they are running $1-400. Is there a better place to look? I hate to drop four bills on something he's gonna outgrow in a season. What do you guys with multiple kids playing serious ball do, spend $1k a year on bats? www.closeoutbats.com is a legit site to get last years models for cheaper. I have a DeMarini EVO sitting in the garage, it's a 2 1/4 inch 29/17. It is an entry level all aluminum bat. It was a warranty replacement from another one my son dented last year. My son hit about 10 balls with it and liked his other one better. Practically a new bat. It's good for little league this year (new bat standards next year) and should be good for an average sized 10 year old. If you want it PM me and pay shipping and I'll get it out to you. |
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Quoted:
My son started his first season of little league this year. He is ten, so he's way behind, but catching up fast. I went to academy to look at bats, they are running $1-400. Is there a better place to look? I hate to drop four bills on something he's gonna outgrow in a season. What do you guys with multiple kids playing serious ball do, spend $1k a year on bats? http://www.baseballmonkey.com/louisville-slugger-wtlwya125a16-genuine-ash-youth-baseball-bat.html I buy hockey equipment from their hockey website. |
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Shit, when played LL, each team had a duffel bag full of bats to choose from, and another with helmets
Here's a place near me that has everything from stock to 'built to order' bats SabreCat Bats |
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At that age the coach I had brought like 5 or 6 bats each practice and game provided by the association that ran the team.
I still remember 2 or 3 teammates their parents decked them out with the nice bat, helmet, new batting gloves, and so on.....they still sucked. |
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You can find used bats at resale shops, but be sure that they meet all league regulations.
Leagues love to change up their regulations from year to year. A lot of those bats are at the resale shop because they can't be used in league games any more. Just an FYI... |
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Ten years old in little league. I guess any entry-level aluminum or wooden bat. I've never seen a bat break in little league. Not saying its not possible but I don't know of any kid who has that kind of swinging power. I'm guessing anything under $100 will do. Actually, I never had my own bat when I played in little league, the team provided bats in various lengths. http://www.baseballmonkey.com/louisville-slugger-wtlwya125a16-genuine-ash-youth-baseball-bat.html I buy hockey equipment from their hockey website. Quoted:
Quoted:
My son started his first season of little league this year. He is ten, so he's way behind, but catching up fast. I went to academy to look at bats, they are running $1-400. Is there a better place to look? I hate to drop four bills on something he's gonna outgrow in a season. What do you guys with multiple kids playing serious ball do, spend $1k a year on bats? http://www.baseballmonkey.com/louisville-slugger-wtlwya125a16-genuine-ash-youth-baseball-bat.html I buy hockey equipment from their hockey website. |
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My second senior is graduating this year from HS. He has played since he was 5. Oldest started at 8. We always went to Play It Again Sports and I did shopping online. Usually picked up last years or 2 year old model fro under $50.
They still had a higher BA and hit more home runs then the other players with brand new $300 bats. |
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I just bought the same bat three days ago. I got the 30" drop 9. Seems to fit my 9yo well. He went to evaluations yesterday and nailed a couple with it. Looks like a good bat. |
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My son is playing select baseball this year.
Make sure that you get the correctly endorsed bat [USSSA, Little League, Pony, whatever it may be]. My boys are 10. They will not get any better performance due to the bat construction at this age. Get something that fits their strength and swing. Play it again sports and scheels had bat days to allow players to get their hands on some bats to swing. PIAS has used bats, make friends with a salesperson to find out what bats were "quick" returns. Talk to your son's coach as well. $400 for a bat at 10 years old is throwing money away. |
Op, I've always stayed 100 or less on bats. My son has played for 5 years, spring season and fall. He has batted clean up almost every year since 7. Other kids were swinging the two and three hundred dollar Mako and he always stepped up to the plate with a Worth or regular Easton and cleaned up well. Matter of fact, one season some of his friends had laid down the Mako and was swinging some type of bat I bought him that said Prodigy on the side. It was either a Worth or Louisville Slugger. It was a hot little bat and I had 75 bucks in it!! Coach picked that damn bat up 25 times and read it. He couldn't figure it out for shit
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Played college ball and got to test the origional Demarini two piece composite bat before production was ever done back in the day and it was amazing so the toned down (NCAA legal) bats are what we got and they were great. I recently helped some local hs Juniors prep to start looking for college scholarships and hit with the updated version DeMarini Voodoo Overlord FT and really liked the pop.
ETA: best practice tools in addition to hard work were tees, a wooden bat for most BP, and a thin bat with golf ball size wiffle balls for side toss and front toss. Between the thin bat and wood bat, it helps the base skill set dramatically |
| at 10 and just starting out.. i wouldn't dump 400 on a bat.. although i was not on the bat band wagon a few years back... i am now though.. and still probably wouldn't drop 400 on one for either of my boys.. i have 3... and have coached for the past 20yrs at my local rec dept.. i watched a kid a couple of years ago ( smallest lil feller on the team)while doing BP...walk up with a wally world special and could barely muster one out of the infield... the other coach handed him one of the Composite Eastons...next round he was hitting zingers right back at me and put probably half in the outfield... now this was 9-10 wheel pitch/pitching machine...so..are they the end all be all's for your kid to play...certainly not... if he was playing travel ball and had been playing for years.... maybe splurge on the bat...but at this point.. id suggest spending around 100 on a decent bat..and then use the rest to get him some lessons... i picked up one of the Easton Titanium Alloy bats for my oldest and it made a difference for him... think i paid about 135 for it. |
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Quoted:
My son started his first season of little league this year. He is ten, so he's way behind, but catching up fast. I went to academy to look at bats, they are running $1-400. Is there a better place to look? I hate to drop four bills on something he's gonna outgrow in a season. What do you guys with multiple kids playing serious ball do, spend $1k a year on bats? Craigslist! Kids think they want to play, the parents buy a bat and then the kid decides he doesn't want to play. You're welcome 
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My son played baseball through triple A. I spent so much money on bats it wasn't funny. At least in College the bats
were supplied but when he was drafted and into the minors we were spending $500.00 on a dozen bats. Aluminum bats absolutely wear out from metal fatigue. It used to piss me off when he would let every kid on the team use his new Easton. I told him, if just one other kid uses your bat, you have cut its life in half, now do the math son. |
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www.closeoutbats.com is a legit site to get last years models for cheaper. I have a DeMarini EVO sitting in the garage, it's a 2 1/4 inch 29/17. It is an entry level all aluminum bat. It was a warranty replacement from another one my son dented last year. My son hit about 10 balls with it and liked his other one better. Practically a new bat. It's good for little league this year (new bat standards next year) and should be good for an average sized 10 year old. If you want it PM me and pay shipping and I'll get it out to you. That's very generous man, thanks! PM incoming! |
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I would never have spent that much. When my oldest son played, I bought him a new bat, not cheap, but not overly expensive. I told him not to let anybody else use it.
The first time he took it, he used it once and the coaches son grabbed it. My son told him he could not use it, but he took it and hit his cleats with it, like the pros would do and put a huge dent in it. His dad, the coach told my son that anybody could use any bat in the dugout. I told the coach he would have to buy me a new bat. He did, but we did not take it to the games again. Think the kids today do not have steel cleats. But I have seen them hit the cage around the backstop with a bat and dent it. So, no expensive bats. |
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Just get the kid a bat. A reasonably priced Louisville Slugger. He's not going to the major leagues. We always got the heaviest Louisville Slugger to use at home on the farm playing between our family and maybe some other friends and relatives if they visited. Poor placement of ball meant not only was it foul ball but we would be in danger of knocking out a barn window meaning play would come to permanent end if it happened a few times. So I pretty much used the heaviest made by the time I was 10 years old. We never went to aluminum because we knew what to look for in wood grain at time of purchase and it's placement/alignment at time of use. I suspect it would be hard to find youths who knew how to properly use wood bat without breaking it. A quarter turn the wrong way and we broke them in no time even at 12 years old. I always felt a wood bat or wood tool handle felt better in the hand. I hate tools with fiberglass/synthetic handles. It's gotten worse and worse to find farm tools with good grain placed/aligned properly in the handle. I always wondered how good a handle could be made using something like Ruger's wood laminate process for stocks. |
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It could be worse, like paying $500-$600 for (1) titanium bat in the early 90's. And then buying another only to have it banned 1/2 way through the season.
$1100 for 2 bats I used for a total of 3 months  . I did sell them on ebay a couple years ago for more than what I had paid
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We always got the heaviest Louisville Slugger to use at home on the farm playing between our family and maybe some other friends and relatives if they visited. Poor placement of ball meant not only was it foul ball but we would be in danger of knocking out a barn window meaning play would come to permanent end if it happened a few times. So I pretty much used the heaviest made by the time I was 10 years old. We never went to aluminum because we knew what to look for in wood grain at time of purchase and it's placement/alignment at time of use. I suspect it would be hard to find youths who knew how to properly use wood bat without breaking it. A quarter turn the wrong way and we broke them in no time even at 12 years old. I always felt a wood bat or wood tool handle felt better in the hand. I hate tools with fiberglass/synthetic handles. It's gotten worse and worse to find farm tools with good grain placed/aligned properly in the handle. I always wondered how good a handle could be made using something like Ruger's wood laminate process for stocks. Quoted:
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Just get the kid a bat. A reasonably priced Louisville Slugger. He's not going to the major leagues. We always got the heaviest Louisville Slugger to use at home on the farm playing between our family and maybe some other friends and relatives if they visited. Poor placement of ball meant not only was it foul ball but we would be in danger of knocking out a barn window meaning play would come to permanent end if it happened a few times. So I pretty much used the heaviest made by the time I was 10 years old. We never went to aluminum because we knew what to look for in wood grain at time of purchase and it's placement/alignment at time of use. I suspect it would be hard to find youths who knew how to properly use wood bat without breaking it. A quarter turn the wrong way and we broke them in no time even at 12 years old. I always felt a wood bat or wood tool handle felt better in the hand. I hate tools with fiberglass/synthetic handles. It's gotten worse and worse to find farm tools with good grain placed/aligned properly in the handle. I always wondered how good a handle could be made using something like Ruger's wood laminate process for stocks. |
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My son started his first season of little league this year. He is ten, so he's way behind, but catching up fast. I went to academy to look at bats, they are running $1-400. Is there a better place to look? I hate to drop four bills on something he's gonna outgrow in a season. What do you guys with multiple kids playing serious ball do, spend $1k a year on bats? Make sure they are legal in the league he plays. It's going to get worse. New bat every year and more expensive. |
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Lol... I learned more about bats last fall than I thought possible. Check out a resale shop. Also www.justbats.com
You could just go to crap mart and be done with it but if nothing else, be sure you get the right length and weight for him. I got lucky and scored an unused, $300 Rawlings Velo two piece composite bat at Play it Again for $70. |
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My son is a sophomore in high school so BTDT.
Bats do matter as the technology is better on some but don't spend too much as he will grow. Concentrate on his swing and mechanics at first. I always told my son, it ain't the arrow...it's the Indian. Wait until you get to high school and have to buy BBCOR bats. They start at $300 and go up from there. Have fun. Little league for my son was some of the best years. |
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Go to www.justbats.com and take a look at last years models.
Use their bat size calculator to make sure you get the right size and weight for your son. Last years model bat will be just as good but 1/3 of the price. If you need more info IM, I have a ton of experience with this. |