This guide will provide everything you need to know about bat sizing before investing in your next softball or baseball bat.  Help avoid mistakes and pitfalls in your bat selection process so you can purchase an properly sized bat for your player! Keep in mind that this is just a guide and selecting the right size bat can be a critical component to a player's success.  Use this guide to help you get an idea or get "in the ballpark", but be sure to get properly fitted for a new bat by consulting with your coach or hitting instructor prior to purchasing!  

Selecting the Proper Bat Length

The following Bat Sizing chart can be utilized to help determine the LENGTH of bat your player might need. This Guide applies to Baseball & Softball players of all ages.  

 

Baseball/Softball Bat Length Chart by Size and Weight

 

Selecting a Bat Weight/Drop

Bat Sizes can vary greatly based on Age, Body Size/Strength, Height, League of Play, etc. With this is mind, once you have decided on a bat length, your next decision to make is bat weight, which is determined by the "Drop Ratio" or "Bat Drop" of the bat you are buying.  

The Bat Drop ratio is determined for each bat model and displayed with a minus sign followed by a number (-9, -10, -11, etc...).  If a bat is 32" with a Drop 10 (-10), it will be 22 ounces (32-10 = 22).  A 32" (-9) will weigh 23 ounces...and so on... For every length of bat, there may be 1 or more different Bat Drop options for that length giving stronger or more advanced players and opportunity to swing a heavier bat of the same length, potentially providing more powerful hits.  

The best method to a select a bat weight/bat drop, is to swing a variety of bats in the cages and/or in practices and games to determine what size best suits your player. Also, be sure to get properly fitted for your new bat by first consulting with your coach and/or hitting instructor prior to purchasing!