Aluminum / composite baseball bats are generally preferred to wooden bats due to their light weight and high strength (note: pro players are allowed to use wood bats only). Lighter bats are generally preferable to heavier bats as they allow the hitter to generate enough speed to put some “oomph” into it (although there are restrictions about bat weights at most levels). Additionally, aluminum bats can provide more “pop” of the baseball off the bat, and are much more durable (therefore cost effective) than wooden bats. Bats today are becoming increasingly high tech and expensive - with youth bats reaching $200+ price levels.

A great way to test different bats is to go to a batting cage. These bats aren’t the best quality but that isn’t important. At a cage you’re there to find out which lengths and weights are good for you. You also want see what kind of handle you like, thick or thin. Try out as many as you can against the pitching machine. This will give you a great idea of what you are looking for.

f you are on a team then talk to other players and see what they like. Use their bats, if they will let you. Try them out in batting practice. Here you will find bats of higher quality so you can get an idea which model you like to use. Take note of the different grips too. Since the players on the team are probably your age and near your size then you will be able to see exactly what bat works for you.

Plate coverage is the most important factor. You have to find a bat that will allow you to maximize your plate coverage based on where you stand in the batters box. You also have to make a decision of what kind of batter you are. Are you a power hitter or contact hitter? A power hitter prefers thinner handle bats where as contact hitters like thicker handles for more control.

When choosing a bat length you have to consider where you stand in the batters box. Do you crowd the plate or do you stand back away from it? If you crowd the plate you don’t want to use a long bat. If you stand farther away from the plate you would use a longer bat so you can reach the outside pitch. Either way, your goal is to have the sweet spot over the middle of the plate. The sweet spot is just about the middle part on the barrel and has the least amount of vibration when struck. Anyone who has ever hit the ball on the sweet spot will know what I mean. It feels comfortable.

Picking a bat that you can actually swing is vital. Don’t think by choosing a heavy bat you will that ball farther. Bat speed is what generates power. Too light and you will not have any pop. Just pick a bat that you can handle well and when you hit the ball it feels right. High school and college age kids will find most bats are between 31″ and 34″ and weigh between 28 and 31 ounces.

Look to buy an aluminum bat. Unless you make it to the pros you will probably never use a wooden bat. I don’t recommend wooden bats at a young age for many reasons. First they break all the time. Secondly, the ball doesn’t jump off the bat like it does with an aluminum bat so the kid using wood is at a disadvantage.

As long as the bat you choose is comfortable in your hands and manageable then you chose well. If you can swing easily and cover the entire plate from where you stand in the batters box then you have given yourself the best chance at success.