Shopping for a bat (for a cub-league kid)

any advice on what to look for? we're going out today after school.

he's 9 years old and about 54-56" tall (haven't measured him in a while).

do i get a bat that's as light as possible? not sure really what to look for. i remember there being a test of holding the bat at your chest and seeing if yor outstretched fingertips could reach the end of the bat -- or something like that.

anyway, any help would be great.

 

G-Man---a response please?

 

I suggest a 28"-29" max., with a drop of 11, ie. 29"- 18oz. I wouldn't go crazy on the money. he'll grow out of it pretty quick. I also check used places. I suggest lighter over bigger. Player should be able to swing the bat, not have the bat swing him. Just my 2 cents. Have fun. Good times are ahead.

 

sounds good. thanks!

some of the other kids at the first practice showed up with their bags and bats, so he'll fit right in now. he tore it up at BP the first practice, but went with a much heavier bat the second practice and struggled. i'd rather him get a bat that he can swing and get comfortable with it -- and rip the cover off the ball all year long!

 

One Putt is exactly correct... too many times both kids and parents think bigger is better. Lighter equals more bat control which leads to better mechanics.

Speaking of mechanics, now is a good time to get the boy some lessons with a qualified instructor. Doesn't have to be a long term type deal, just some time with a pro to get the basics. This is a great way for the dad to also learn the basics so he and his son can work together away from the instructor. The plus is you get some real quality time with your kid.

Next thing you know you'll be like a lot of us with a batting cage in the yard, baseballs all over your shed or garage and have a kid that loves the game enough to be able to play for as long and as far as his talent will take him.

Also as Putt said, you don't need to break the bank when buying a bat. I would recommend getting him a new bat from one of the better bat makers. One that has a lot of color and style (in his eyes!) will be better taken care of and less likely to be used to hit rocks over the neighbors fence with! Just be sure that when you give it to him you tell him that it is a special bat with lots of "hits" in it... got to get the superstitions started early

 

One thing I learned after about 2 years was we got a practice bat. Usually used but at best, a lower cost bat. I find it is even more important in high school when you are practicing in 32-40 degrees. Our first 8 man in January we had 4 broken bats. There goes a cool 1200.00 bucks. My son and many of his teammates either hit with wood or a used metal bat instead of a 300.00 dollar new bat, especially when it's cold. On warmer days they'll get out their "game" bat and swing it, or do T work and soft toss with it..

And not to be a scrooge but when you are younger and you have the "cool" bat or the "hot" bat, everyone wants to use it. We had other kids break my son's bat twice. Tough situation. You want to help people but it can get expensive.

Just a thought, probably not a popular thought but I know I'm not the only one that has faced this.

 

thanks, y'all. i'll let you know what we come back with -- i'm with you: lighter, less expensive. at this age. i can't wait for BP tomorrow!

 

Thanks for the advice. We got him an Easton Triple 8 bat. It's metallic orange with silver and black lettering. Used only one season. 29" 16.5 ounces.

Got an Easton batting helmet and bag for all the gear.

 

Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Post pics after Sunday B-Day. Gotta see him in his gladiator attire.

He will love the colors of his bat

 

great practice. he tore it up at shortstop. coach's son told ty that his dad told him he was going to be the starting pitcher.

also did well at the plate -- triple, double, single. got thrown out at first his first time up to bat because he forgot to run -- thought it was straight BP. needs to pay attention to the instructions!

anyway, his great grandparents were there in the stands to watch him. pretty special for my grandfather -- he played shortstop his whole career and gave up a shot at the pros to take care of his family when his father was killed.

yay! baseball!