How To Size A Baseball Bat, And Why You’re Probably Doing It Wrong

Size does matter…. learn how to size a baseball bat today

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Learning how to size a baseball bat will be one of the quickest and most practical lessons you’ll learn as a baseballer

Baseball bats have changed so much over the years. Long gone are the days where all the bats were wooden, and making sure you get the sizing right for your bat is seemingly harder than ever.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to choose the size right baseball bat for adults and children.

Your comfort matters most

Now, you’ve probably read a million guides about how to select the right bat and none of them have worked for you. Or, you’ve had a coach who was always giving you advice on selecting the best bat possible.

What usually happens though, is you get paralysis by analysis; there is just too much information and you don’t end up making a decision. Or, you make the one you’ve been told is right and it feels unnatural.

So, when all is said and done, choose a bat size that you’re comfortable using. There is no substitute in sports for comfort and feeling natural.

However, if you are looking to learn how to size your baseball bat, here is a quick guide on where you should start.

How to size a baseball bat

We are going to be using a guide similar to this one from eHow Sports. But I have included a near little chart for you to make the process a lot easier.

With your arm straight out to your side, measure the distance between the center of your chest and your index fingertip.

Once you have that measurement, check out the chart below and see where you fit in.

Image courtesy of Baseball Monkey

Choosing a bat size off the chart above is a great starting point for learning how to size your baseball bat.

This should only be a starting point. Now, don’t get me wrong, you can purchase a bat at your size in the above chart and it’s 99% likely to be fine.

However, if you do happen to find yourself with a few bats to look at, you can do the following to make sure you choose the right size bat.

Place the bat to your side and grab the bat. If your palm reaches the handle of the bat, you have the right size and it should feel comfortable
Put the knob of the bat in the middle of your chest with the bat facing away from you – if you can reach your arm out and grab the barrel of the bat, it’s the right size.

If you’re ready to move up in bat size, you should only look to go up an inch at a time. Anything more than that will alter your swing and impact your game.

How to size a baseball bat for a child

If you’re choosing a baseball bat for a child, the process is a little different. This is where a lot of parents come undone. They assume it is the same for adults and children.

If your child is somewhere between 3’ and 3’4” when standing in cleats, start with a 26-inch bat and increase the size of the bat by 1 inch for every 4-to-5 inches that the child grows.

Make sure you get the size right

If you’re trying to size a bat for a child, have the child stand up straight in their cleats and place the bat upright next to them. We want the bat to be reaching the child’s hip, but not going past it.

Anything too long or too shore will be uncomfortable for the child, and will encourage incorrect swinging form.

Final thoughts

While there are plenty of ways that you can improve your swing, making sure you’re using the right bat is a move that will ensure you consistently and comfortable make hits.

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