1. Know your league’s rules.

Every level has different regulations regarding what bat sizes or materials are allowed and may require different regulation stickers on a bat.

2. Baseball Or Softball.

Although the younger age grades such as Tee Ball or Flexi Ball can have the same bat used within both sports, the older competitive age grades will require a sport-specific bat.


*TIP: Softball and baseball bats are measured using their length to weight ratio, a negative number that represents how many ounces a bat weighs compared to it’s length in inches. For example, a 32 inch bat that weighs 28 ounces is a -4. Softball bats generally range from -8 to -12, while baseball bats range from -3 to -12.

3. Length & Weight:

If you have a fast swing where you make early contact often, then you can afford a heavier weight. If you have a slow swing where you make late contact often, choose a lighter weight for quicker bat speed.

4. Material- Wood, Aluminum, or Composite.

Softball doesn’t have a wooden option for bats, but Baseball has all 3 options. Wood & Aluminum are a heavier and stiffer material with less flex. A Composite material is overall lighter, offers more flex, and helps take away the vibration or sting of the bat compared to Aluminum or Wood. But Composite bats are more expensive and have an increased chance of breaking if not taken care of or miss-hit.Think of your budget and how long you want the bat to last. If you are a younger player still perfecting your swing, you will probably miss-hit the ball more often than not. So younger players may benefit from an aluminum bat which is more durable, affordable, and able to handle any miss-hits. If you’re looking to get rid of the vibration or sting of a bat and/or you are a more experienced player, consider a composite bat if they work with your budget.


*TIP: A Miss-Hit is when you don’t make contact on the sweet spot of the bat

One Piece vs Two Piece
One piece bats have less flex and are more durable. Two Piece bats have more flex and less vibration, creating a whip effect for faster bat speed. Two piece bats are great for players who want to increase their bat speed or power. If you are a player who still needs to work on your mechanics, remember the more miss-hits you have on a two-piece bat increases your risk of breakage.

End-load vs Balanced
Hitters who want more power tend to go with an end-loaded bat (more weight in the end of the bat). But if you drop, hit too many pop flies, or have an undercut swing, try a more balanced bat.

If you are able to get a few swings with the bat, how does it feel? Does your swing feel too slow? Then you may need a smaller/lighter bat. If it feels too light, go with a heavier bat.