Choosing a Baseball Bat

What is the best youth baseball bat? That used to be a relatively easy question to answer as you just surveyed what type of Louieville Slugger was the most popular.

However, the days of one major manufacturer monopolizing the baseball bat industry have passed as well as the wooden bat being the only option.

Today there are many different manufacturers and hundreds of different baseball bats of various compositions. We must understand what we're buying in order to determine what is the best youth baseball bat for our player.

With the inclusion of the standard wood bat, the available types of baseball bats are separated into 3 different categories with Aluminum and Graphite/Titanium lined bats being the remaining two types. Let's exam each of the three categories with the pro and cons associated with each.

A baseball bat made of Aluminum is light weight which allows the player increased bat control and bat speed through the hitting zone. This can be of great benefit to any age player, but especially a younger player just learning the basic mechanics of hitting.

The various mixtures of zinc, magnesium, aluminum and copper increases the size of the bat's Sweet Zone on the bat barrel, which makes the bat more forgiving of a swing where solid contact with the ball is not accomplished. The bat also tends to make the ball travel 5% or more farther than a traditional baseball bat.

A baseball bat made of graphite/titanium lining, is actually an aluminum bat with a reduced amount of aluminum in the barrel head, which is replaced with the graphite/titanium lining around the barrel. This makes the already light aluminum bat, lighter yet, which only enhances bat control and increases bat speed through the hitting zone.

The graphite/titanium lining increases the bats durability, which increases the integrity of the bat's sweet spot. This was, of course the manufacturer's intent, however this could result in the bat's undoing. Due to the increased bat speed through the hitting zone and the increased velocity and speed which the ball comes off the bat, there is a real safety concern for infielders, especially third base and the pitcher.

Some leagues and colleges have begun banning the use of certain types of these bats because of the danger. Make sure your league allows the usage of these types of bats before forking out $300 - $400 for one.

The wooden bat remains a staple of baseball and are made of Maple, Ash, Hickory or a Bamboo combination. The wooden bat offers greater barrel and taper options for the hitter and are less expensive than composites, but also break more frequently, which may result in the cost savings being negated through replacement costs.

Composite bats do have one major flaw which wooden bats do not have, but few people know of it. A composite bat must be properly broke in. That's right. Just as you would break in a new glove, you break in a composite baseball bat.

The general rule of thumb is you must hit 100 to 200 baseballs with the bat before the sweet spot is 100% efficient. The balls must be of a quality leather, so rubber coated baseballs of the type used in batting cages are not allowable.

The leather baseballs must be traveling at least 40 mph and preferably faster, so hitting off a Tee is not allowed. While hitting these 200 pitches, remember to consistently turn the bat an 1/8" each time you hit a ball in order to break in the entire bat barrel and not just one side.

What is the best youth baseball bat available? That's your decision.

Jim (Coach) Bain is a former Minor League Baseball Player and successful Coach of Youth Baseball for over a decade and a half. He has drawn from fellow successful coaches' experiences and combined them with his own extensive experience to create a Baseball Teaching Website. The site is packed with 100s of tips, drills, history and instruction on how to play and coach the game of baseball.
http://www.Learn-Youth-Baseball-Coaching.com

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Choosing Your Baseball Bats

From the time small children are old enough to hold a baseball bat many have longed to be part of the great American pastime. Baseball bats have been around ever since the game was created and there are baseball museums that have collections of baseball bats owned and used by famous players.

When kids first start to play the game of baseball they use a plastic bat. There are plastic baseball bats made today for the youngest of ballplayers and some even have baseball teams or players names on them.

As children get older and more serious about the game they find there are choices to be made about which bat to buy. Baseball bats come in many widths, lengths and materials. A heavier bat gives the ball more momentum but a heavier bat also means a less speedy swing. Bats that are made from graphite or aluminum hit balls farther than baseball bats made from wood.

Players endorse baseball bats and many have their names on them. Baseball team logos are also represented on baseball bats.

When aluminum bats were first introduced in the 1970's, batting averages rose 30 points and home run hits doubled. In the Major Leagues batters now use wooden bats instead of baseball bats made from lighter materials. They could change to the baseball bats made from aluminum or a lighter material but it would significantly change the home runs hit today and the traditional records and baseball legends would not seem as important.

If you are wanting to buy a baseball bat consider who will be using it. Age and which league you are playing in is also a deciding factor. Little League bats can't be more than 2 1/4 inches in diameter or more than 33 inches long for instance. Adult leagues have rules about baseball bats also.

Speed and control are the most crucial factors to consider when buying a baseball bat. Check the weight of the bat, if it's too heavy it won't work for you. When checking the grip, your fingertips should meet when closed around the handle.

You can buy a small wooden baseball bat for $10-$20. An aluminum bat will cost between $20-$200 or more but it won't chip or peel and the balance and weight will remain constant.

There are thousands of baseball bats to choose from. Talk to an expert who can help you decide which is the perfect baseball bat for you.

Ken Austin

Baseball Gear and Equipment

Sports Resource Guide [http://www.a1sportsresource.com/]

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Choosing Baseball Gifts for Baseball Addicts!

How about an MVP commemorative baseball keepsake? Or a Stay Cool Sports Towel? What about a Louisville Tpx Youth Equipment Bag? Or for the enthusiastic amateur consider an instructional video such as "A Parent's Guide to Baseball"? There are also instructional baseball videos for the fan who hopes to hit like a baseball pro, the instructional video: "Hit like a Pro".

What is the one common element that ties all these desirable objects together? They can be thoughtful and fun baseball gifts to give to the people in your life who love baseball.

How does one pick what baseball gifts to award the men in your life? For there will be many occasions from birthdays to just simple "I miss you" tokens, where baseball gifts can show you care.

First, you will have to watch at least one baseball game with your beloved. I know, he would be flattered that you are taking time to find out what sports he enjoys. So aside from building even more trust and love, it would be a sacrifice. But doing this would provide you a most valuable insight into what baseball gift would make him crow.

Take note of the baseball team he is cheering the loudest for and you will be able to find team insignia to give as a baseball gift.

Watch the baseball commercials attentively for clues. You will see possibilities as to the baseball gift best suited for your baseball fanatic.

You could gift him the team insignia towel as the baseball gift or a pair of sunglasses to wear during the baseball games in the stadium. Your thoughtfully planned baseball gift tells your man that you do think about him. Your baseball gift tells him you know he is special and it shows!

Ken Austin

Baseball Gear and Equipment

Sports Resource Guide [http://www.a1sportsresource.com/]

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Choosing Youth Baseball Or Softball Equipment to Purchase

We are deep into spring already, and baseball and softball seasons are in full swing. Children are practicing and playing on fields all across America. And parents are faced with decision making. It's off to the sporting goods stores to purchase softball baseball equipment. But which softball baseball equipment do you buy for your little slugger? It's best to have an idea before you start shopping. Don't let overzealous sales clerks talk you into baseball softball equipment you don't need.

Usually it is as easy as what type of child you have. Boys play baseball and girls play softball when they are children. So then it is down to what position they play. Once you figure all this out, you can begin to purchase your child's softball baseball equipment.

First, let's examine softball equipment. Softballs are larger versions of baseballs. Softballs range from 11 to 12 inches and contrary to their name are hard like baseballs. They should be provided by the team, but your child will need some of their own to practice. Since softballs are large, it only makes sense that softball gloves and mitts are also larger. Each child will need one of their own. Softball bats are a different story. Softball bats are actually shorter than baseball bats. Softball bats are no longer than 34 inches long. These should be provided by the team also, but once again it's good to have one for practice.

Baseball & softball bats can be made out of a number of materials. In the beginning, players used baseball & softball bats made from wood. As the sports and technology progressed, baseball & softball bats were made from metal. These are the ones you see being used most. Finally, there are carbon fiber baseball softball bats, but they are a little high tech for youth teams.

So what other softball gear might your child need? Protective helmets for all players are an important safety item of softball equipment. Every batter needs one. Every player needs cleats as well. Here, youth baseball cleats would probably be fine. If your child opts to be a catcher, then they'll need shin guards and a chest protector and mask as part of their personal softball gear. Perhaps the catcher is the most expensive position to consider.

The final piece of softball equipment needed is softball uniforms. There is a standard to softball uniforms, but they do differ in colors, names and sponsorships. This is where a team can get creative with their softball gear and really make them their own.

So what about the baseball side of softball & baseball equipment? Well, it really isn't that different from softball equipment. Baseballs are 9 inches and baseball bats are no longer than 42 inches. As discussed previously, there are three materials to choose from in baseball softball bats. Baseball players use gloves and wear helmets. Each child should have one of each, as well as a pair of youth baseball cleats. As with all youth shoes, make sure your child's youth baseball cleats fit them properly. Catchers in this sport wear shin guards, a chest protector and a mask as well. Baseball uniforms are hard to distinguish from softball uniforms. Again this is an area where teams can show their creativity.

There really isn't too much mystery when it comes to softball & baseball equipment. The differences between the two sports are few, which makes sense since softball came out of baseball. Baseball equipment can be substituted for softball equipment in a few areas if you have hand me downs. Helmets and youth baseball cleats come to mind. So do baseball softball bats. Both sports can become expensive, but the benefits of youth sports far outweigh the costs. Don't let finances stand in your way. Look into used softball & baseball equipment, but get those boys and girls out on the field.

softball and baseball equipment coaching advice

http://softballbaseballequipment.com

http://baseballsoftballbats.org

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