little league baseball guys - bat questions (1 Viewer)

[Mr. Chumley]

My son will be playing USSSA this fall and I'm looking for some advice on good bats and where to get them. Looking for a big barrel bat. Are the Worth, Louisville slugger and Marruci bats any good? I'm seeing them on all the websites. I'd like to stay below $150 if possible. Any suggestions?

 

[walnutz]

My son uses Easton and Louisville Slugger bats. The big barrel is the way to go. I have found deals on EBay for them. We have started to use wood for BP though.

ETA: good luck staying below 150 in retail stores by the way. 200 is pretty much the barrier to entry on them.

 

[Mr. Chumley]

I'm looking on line. I see a lot of Easton as. was hoping they would discount the 2013 bats.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

justbats,com

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

I have two boys. The better hitter is a lot smaller and uses the Marucci bat, it has a ton of "pop" which helps him drive the ball better. It is big barrel and has the 1.15 stamp. If you play USSSA you have to have the stamp. IMO a bat is only good for about a season if you play "competitive baseball" so never buy a used a bat. GL and if you have anymore questions you can pm me. I have purchased a ton of bats over the years.

 

[Mr. Chumley]

When you say season do you mean just the fall season or is it a year meaning it should last through fall and spring ball?

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

When you say season do you mean just the fall season or is it a year meaning it should last through fall and spring ball?

You should get a whole season (1 full year) out of the bat. When you first get it hold the barrel in your hand and tap the handle on the ground. It will have a nice ping sound to it. If and when this sound starts sounding like a "thud" the bat is dead. The bats are only good for so many hits, and this is the reason a lot of people do not use their game bats in the hitting cages.

 

[walnutz]

My sons first Easton bat is dead now. Has a hollow sound to it. Tell me the difference between a senior bat and a youth big barrel bat. Seems to be the same thing on the Marucci web site.

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

Easton and Demarini have outstanding bats but are a bit pricy. My boy swings a CF5 and swears by it, but when he was younger he swung a cheaper Omaha and loved that as well. Who cares what they swing as long as it is the right length and weight for them so they learn the proper mechanics. Really that is what it comes down to - sure higher priced bats are more forgiving but that can be detrimental to mechanics. Marucci is a nice less expensive brand as is the Copperhead. Bottom line, go to a bat expo and have the kid swing several different bats and find the one that suits him. Don't tell him the price just let him try an assortment. Hopefully he likes the cheaper models.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

My sons first Easton bat is dead now. Has a hollow sound to it. Tell me the difference between a senior bat and a youth big barrel bat. Seems to be the same thing on the Marucci web site.

Senior bats are drop -3 weights, and the big barrel youth bats can be up to drop -10. (Some maybe be more or less in the youth big barrell bats)

Also, I believe the senior bats are 2 1/2" and the youth bats big barrel are 2 3/4"

 

[Statcruncher]

I wholeheartedly agree with the Justbats.com suggestion. I've bought a myriad of bats from them for my daughter's fast pitch and my son's baseball. They usually have the best prices, the reviews are pretty accurate, and they occasionally have sales/closeouts that are amazing deals. If you don't have to have this year's model you can save a ton of cash. To be honest though you need to shop by individual bat reviews more than just a brand name. For example, Demarini is a great manufacturer and we've bought several of their outstanding products but occasionally they miss with a specific model.

My son just turned 8 and he used the Miken RZR Junior big barrel bat this past season. I was a little leery of it because it was so cheap (on sale for $59.99 with free shipping) and we'd never used a Miken, but the reviews were very good. The first time he saw it he hated it at first because of the color scheme, but it turned out to be the best bat he's ever used. By the third game of the season half the team was using it and the ones that weren't were the ones whose dads wouldn't let their son borrow it because they'd bought $200 bats (which didn't have any more pop than the Miken).

One thing that has really helped my son is to have 2 bats for him. Each year I size him and buy him a new 2 3/4" barrel bat for use in games/team practices, but I also pick up a 2 1/4" barrel bat in the same weight/length off of Craigslist for messing around with me. I'll pitch to him and while he's using the smaller bat it's all about him focusing on timing/solid contact and line drives, not distance. It has really translated to solid contact in game situations.

 

[Mr. Chumley]

opinions on alloy vs composite? I hate to buy a bat online that he never had a chance to swing but there really isn't much to pick from in the stores around here.

 

[Fennis]

opinions on alloy vs composite? I hate to buy a bat online that he never had a chance to swing but there really isn't much to pick from in the stores around here.

wood

 

[walnutz]

Just called Easton about my sons Easton S1 bat that has a very hollow sound to it when he hits. They diagnosed it as dead. So, they are sending a new 2014 Mako bat to us. Only problem is it will be a month out. But still pretty cool.

 

[Statcruncher]

opinions on alloy vs composite? I hate to buy a bat online that he never had a chance to swing but there really isn't much to pick from in the stores around here.

In my experience composite is wasted on younger kids. To really get the maximum pop out of most of them you need to break them in with hundreds of pitches while rotating the barrel. Most also advise against using them with batting range balls. The plus is that a properly broken in composite may actually outperform an alloy, but is it worth it? If your kid wants to spend the time breaking it in and doesn't treat the bat roughly (fence, concrete, rocks, etc.) composite may be the answer but alloy is probably the correct answer for 95% of the kids out there.

 

[DCThunder]

Man, when I played little league baseball the only choice was Adirondack or Louisville Slugger. Bats were made out of wood (ash) and had lengths of 29, 30, 31 or 32 inches. I think you could get a LS in black or natural color too. But that was it.

 

[Gianni Verscotchie]

Tennessee thumper

 

[Gianni Verscotchie]

I coached senior league this past year and our best hitter used an Easton Magnum circa 1982. I used the same bat when I was a kid.

 

[Zow]

My sons first Easton bat is dead now. Has a hollow sound to it. Tell me the difference between a senior bat and a youth big barrel bat. Seems to be the same thing on the Marucci web site.

Senior bats are drop -3 weights, and the big barrel youth bats can be up to drop -10. (Some maybe be more or less in the youth big barrell bats)

Also, I believe the senior bats are 2 1/2" and the youth bats big barrel are 2 3/4"

Yep.

Is there a market for little league used bats? I'll be honest, if you want premium performance, you gotta pay for it. Bats vary greatly in quality. That said, bats also have a parabola-like performance span so, if it's anything like softball, buying a used, broken in bat is totally worth it. Kid will probably only use it for a season or two anyway.

 

[Zow]

Tennessee thumper

I remember that thing. Solid silver metal. Played with a guy when I was a freshman who was a senior who could mash and he swore by that thing.

I still prefer the Easton Z2k to anything though.

 

[Zow]

opinions on alloy vs composite? I hate to buy a bat online that he never had a chance to swing but there really isn't much to pick from in the stores around here.

In my experience composite is wasted on younger kids. To really get the maximum pop out of most of them you need to break them in with hundreds of pitches while rotating the barrel. Most also advise against using them with batting range balls. The plus is that a properly broken in composite may actually outperform an alloy, but is it worth it? If your kid wants to spend the time breaking it in and doesn't treat the bat roughly (fence, concrete, rocks, etc.) composite may be the answer but alloy is probably the correct answer for 95% of the kids out there.

 

[Zow]

I wholeheartedly agree with the Justbats.com suggestion. I've bought a myriad of bats from them for my daughter's fast pitch and my son's baseball. They usually have the best prices, the reviews are pretty accurate, and they occasionally have sales/closeouts that are amazing deals. If you don't have to have this year's model you can save a ton of cash. To be honest though you need to shop by individual bat reviews more than just a brand name. For example, Demarini is a great manufacturer and we've bought several of their outstanding products but occasionally they miss with a specific model.

My son just turned 8 and he used the Miken RZR Junior big barrel bat this past season. I was a little leery of it because it was so cheap (on sale for $59.99 with free shipping) and we'd never used a Miken, but the reviews were very good. The first time he saw it he hated it at first because of the color scheme, but it turned out to be the best bat he's ever used. By the third game of the season half the team was using it and the ones that weren't were the ones whose dads wouldn't let their son borrow it because they'd bought $200 bats (which didn't have any more pop than the Miken).

One thing that has really helped my son is to have 2 bats for him. Each year I size him and buy him a new 2 3/4" barrel bat for use in games/team practices, but I also pick up a 2 1/4" barrel bat in the same weight/length off of Craigslist for messing around with me. I'll pitch to him and while he's using the smaller bat it's all about him focusing on timing/solid contact and line drives, not distance. It has really translated to solid contact in game situations.

Miken makes some sick bats.

 

[Mr. Chumley]

Another question. My son uses a 30 drop 12 now. I about to buy the new bat but I have a choice of the 29 -10 or 30 -10. Which is worse the a bat 1 oz to heavy or going back 1 inch?

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

Maybe I missed the age of your son - but length of bat is determined by height of player - google youth bat length chart and it will give you a good approximation. As for drop - 10 is fine for 9U - to around 11U. After that I would begin progressing to -8 then -5 to get them ready for high school where they have to swing -3 or less.

 

[Mr. Chumley]

He's playing 9u. He's pretty tall for his age. I think 5'4. He swung a 21 oz bat this week and it was too much. He also tried a 29 -10 and it was good for him but that was just for practice. I'm not sure going back an inch is a good idea now.

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

He's playing 9u. He's pretty tall for his age. I think 5'4. He swung a 21 oz bat this week and it was too much. He also tried a 29 -10 and it was good for him but that was just for practice. I'm not sure going back an inch is a good idea now.

well 5'4 indicates a 31-33 inch bat - but that seems a bit much at that age. I'd go with a 30/20 - check out the DeMarini Vexxum big barrel that is 30/19.5. Looks pretty decent and retails at 179.95 but if you go to a dealer you might get it for closer to 150.00.

 

[Pablo Reyes]

I just bought a bat for my son off of www.baseballbargains.com . The bat is a easton and he absolutely loves it.

 

[Todem]

My son has been using the Easton Mako big barrells for going on 4 seasons now. The Composite get's better with more usage instead of the reverse.

Get an Easton Mako. It's not cheap. But if you kid is not too big you can grab a 20 drop 12 Mako Jr for under $200 bucks. If he needs a drop 10 or heavier then your looking at $300. But the smaller and lighter...the better hitter he will be. It's all about bat speed.

Outstanding bat.

Here it is. he uses the 28 Inch 16 OZ

http://www.justbats.com/product/2015-easton-mako-junior-big-barrel-baseball-bat--jbb15mkb/21225/?gclid=CIfInIbr-MUCFdUWHwodOg4AEw

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

How much do you guys pay for cryogenic dips?

 

[Thorn]

I remember the first time one of my LL players showed up with his own bat. Thought it was the silliest thing ever - the league provided every team with a new set of 28 through 31 inch bats every few years. How times have changed.

 

[Cjw_55106]

I remember the first time one of my LL players showed up with his own bat. Thought it was the silliest thing ever - the league provided every team with a new set of 28 through 31 inch bats every few years. How times have changed.

I guess you can rent golf club at the course too, but they arent the same.

 

[Thorn]

I remember the first time one of my LL players showed up with his own bat. Thought it was the silliest thing ever - the league provided every team with a new set of 28 through 31 inch bats every few years. How times have changed.

I guess you can rent golf club at the course too, but they arent the same.

I don't know how anyone ever hit a fair ball back then.

 

[Cjw_55106]

I remember the first time one of my LL players showed up with his own bat. Thought it was the silliest thing ever - the league provided every team with a new set of 28 through 31 inch bats every few years. How times have changed.

I guess you can rent golf club at the course too, but they arent the same.

I don't know how anyone ever hit a fair ball back then.

I still dabble in adult softball and I wish the technology changes hadnt happened. Seeing 150lb guys hitting 350ft. HRs is ridiculous. You are kidding yourself if you dont think there's a difference in the bats.

 

[Thorn]

I remember the first time one of my LL players showed up with his own bat. Thought it was the silliest thing ever - the league provided every team with a new set of 28 through 31 inch bats every few years. How times have changed.

I guess you can rent golf club at the course too, but they arent the same.

I don't know how anyone ever hit a fair ball back then.

I still dabble in adult softball and I wish the technology changes hadnt happened. Seeing 150lb guys hitting 350ft. HRs is ridiculous. You are kidding yourself if you dont think there's a difference in the bats.

Who is saying there's no difference? Just thinking how youth sports have changed.

 

[Cjw_55106]

I remember the first time one of my LL players showed up with his own bat. Thought it was the silliest thing ever - the league provided every team with a new set of 28 through 31 inch bats every few years. How times have changed.

I guess you can rent golf club at the course too, but they arent the same.

I don't know how anyone ever hit a fair ball back then.

I still dabble in adult softball and I wish the technology changes hadnt happened. Seeing 150lb guys hitting 350ft. HRs is ridiculous. You are kidding yourself if you dont think there's a difference in the bats.

Who is saying there's no difference? Just thinking how youth sports have changed.

I agree with that.

 

[Todem]

Yep...youth sports have changed indeed. But if you have a talented kid you got roll with the changes.

There was no travel ball when I played. Just little league and all-stars which is what we considered travel.

That was it.

Times have certainly changed.

 

[5Rings]

My son will be playing USSSA this fall and I'm looking for some advice on good bats and where to get them. Looking for a big barrel bat. Are the Worth, Louisville slugger and Marruci bats any good? I'm seeing them on all the websites. I'd like to stay below $150 if possible. Any suggestions?

MAKO bats are what all the cool kids are using here in CA. They run about $400 and add about 20-30 feet per flyball.

The halloween orange and neon green bats stand out when, especially when you see a 80 lb 9 year old kid hitting one over the 200 sign in center.

 

[Todem]

My son will be playing USSSA this fall and I'm looking for some advice on good bats and where to get them. Looking for a big barrel bat. Are the Worth, Louisville slugger and Marruci bats any good? I'm seeing them on all the websites. I'd like to stay below $150 if possible. Any suggestions?

MAKO bats are what all the cool kids are using here in CA. They run about $400 and add about 20-30 feet per flyball.

The halloween orange and neon green bats stand out when, especially when you see a 80 lb 9 year old kid hitting one over the 200 sign in center.

If you click my link the Mako's I suggested are under 200 bucks.

Cool kids....LMFAO.

They are excellent composite bats.

Once you get to the adult size....yeah they run $350 but if you want top of the line equipment in any sport.....get ready to shell out the cash.

 

[5Rings]

My son will be playing USSSA this fall and I'm looking for some advice on good bats and where to get them. Looking for a big barrel bat. Are the Worth, Louisville slugger and Marruci bats any good? I'm seeing them on all the websites. I'd like to stay below $150 if possible. Any suggestions?

MAKO bats are what all the cool kids are using here in CA. They run about $400 and add about 20-30 feet per flyball.

The halloween orange and neon green bats stand out when, especially when you see a 80 lb 9 year old kid hitting one over the 200 sign in center.

If you click my link the Mako's I suggested are under 200 bucks.

Cool kids....LMFAO.

They are excellent composite bats.

Once you get to the adult size....yeah they run $350 but if you want top of the line equipment in any sport.....get ready to shell out the cash.

Trust me, I hear you. I had 4 MAKO's on my team of 9-10 year olds this season. One kid (dad is a ####) wouldn't share with the other kids, but the rest understood the more hits the better and shared freely. My 12 year old team was MAKO only. It got to the point that you rarely saw any player in our league go up to bat with anything but a MAKO this season.

 

[Todem]

My son will be playing USSSA this fall and I'm looking for some advice on good bats and where to get them. Looking for a big barrel bat. Are the Worth, Louisville slugger and Marruci bats any good? I'm seeing them on all the websites. I'd like to stay below $150 if possible. Any suggestions?

MAKO bats are what all the cool kids are using here in CA. They run about $400 and add about 20-30 feet per flyball.

The halloween orange and neon green bats stand out when, especially when you see a 80 lb 9 year old kid hitting one over the 200 sign in center.

If you click my link the Mako's I suggested are under 200 bucks.

Cool kids....LMFAO.

They are excellent composite bats.

Once you get to the adult size....yeah they run $350 but if you want top of the line equipment in any sport.....get ready to shell out the cash.

Trust me, I hear you. I had 4 MAKO's on my team of 9-10 year olds this season. One kid (dad is a ####) wouldn't share with the other kids, but the rest understood the more hits the better and shared freely. My 12 year old team was MAKO only. It got to the point that you rarely saw any player in our league go up to bat with anything but a MAKO this season.

That dad is a little ####.

That bat only get's better the more you use it LOL. While I understand it's an expensive bat....nothing wrong with other players using it IMO. You go through a bat every year regardless. And two piece composites.....have a far long rife span than any aluminum bat.