What Types Of Wood Baseball Bats Are There?

Choosing the right wood bat and deciding between which material to swing can make all the difference in your performance on the field. From power hitters to contact players, the material of your baseball bat or softball bat impacts its weight, durability, and how it feels during a swing. In this guide, the Bat Experts at JustBats break down the most popular types of wood baseball bats, their advantages, and how to pick the one that suits your playing style.

SHOP WOOD BATS

Different Types of Wood Bat Materials

• Ash - Ash bats are the most flexible and forgiving of all the various types of wood. A lot of players prefer ash wood bats because they like the ability to "feel" the ball while hitting. Ash bats are typically preferred more by the contact hitter due to the flex in the bat and the wood's lightweight characteristics. Most Ash bats are made from White Ash trees. It's the lightest of the four main types of wood because of its porous wood grain. The lightweight nature of Ash helps a hitter increase bat speed. Ash wood bats are softer than other wood bats, which provides a more comfortable feel on contact.The downside of Ash is its lack of durability. For this reason, Ash has a tendency to flake quicker than other types of wood.

• Bamboo - Bamboo bats are different because bamboo is technically not a wood; it's a grass. The process for making bamboo baseball bats involves pressing bamboo strips into long, rectangular billets, then turning these billets until they form the shape of a round baseball bat. Bamboo is very strong and durable, but is not approved for MLB use and requires a BBCOR certification mark for organized play. Unlike traditional wood bats, bamboo bats are strips of bamboo pressed together to create billets of wood which are then used to create the bats. Bamboo bats are the most durable bats on the market and extremely lightweight. Because bamboo bats are so durable and lightweight, they are popular with younger players and players who are using wood bats for the first time. Since they are not created from a single piece of wood, they do require BBCOR certification for players who are in high school or college.

• Birch - Birch bats are a good option for someone who wants the aspects of both maple and ash bats. That's because birch is harder than ash, but not as hard as maple. Birch is approved for professional play. Birch bats are increasing in popularity because of their durability and hardness. Birch is more flexible than other types of wood which helps create a whip-like action. That whip action makes Birch easier to swing and less likely to break. Birch is lighter than Maple with similar pop and performance.

• Composite Wood - Composite wood bats are the most durable kind of wood bat. They are encased in a composite shell, are united to a composite handle, or are simply a blend of two or more wood types. Composite wood bats are a great option for wood bat leagues or other leagues that require bats to be BBCOR certified.

• Maple - Maple bats are the most common type of wood bats used. Maple is an extremely dense wood that offers a harder hitting surface and stiffer flex in a bat compared to ash wood bats. Because it's heavier, maple wood bats minimize the player's ability to control the bat during the swing. Maple has very few pores which makes it harder than other woods. Because Maple is so hard, the bats tend to have more pop which makes them popular among professional players. The downside to Maple is it retains moisture, making it very dense and heavier than other types of wood.

• Hickory - Hickory bats are the heaviest and hardest of all the types of wood. They have no flex and little feel. Hickory bats were the most popular wood baseball bats in the early days of Major League Baseball, but have since been passed in popularity by maple, ash, and birch wood bats.

Most Common Wood Bat Turn Models

• 271 - Has a slightly larger knob to accommodate the 1 flared handle. The top of the handle is around 15/16" in thickness then slowly goes into a long taper that keeps getting larger in diameter all the way to end of the barrel where it reaches 2” at the sweet spot. The 271 is typically used by players looking to increase bat speed and for those who hit for average.
• 110 - Has a standard sized knob that lies under the 1" thick handle, sometimes making the knob seem small in comparison. The top of the handle is around 15/16" in thickness throughout the neck, rising slowly onto a long 2” barrel; the thick handle brings more weight in towards your body. The full 1" diameter adds strength to the weakest part of any wood baseball bat. This is a great wood baseball bat for players transitioning to wood.
• 243 - Has a standard knob with a thin handle except for the slight flare near the bottom hand. The neck rises sharply onto the large and long barrel creating a large hitting surface for a hitter. The 243 is considered a power hitter's bat as most of the weight is out on the end, making it quite end-loaded.

How to Choose the Right Wood Baseball Bat 

When selecting a bat, consider the following:

• Skill Level:
  • Beginners might benefit from composite or birch for their forgiving nature.
  • Advanced players may prefer maple or ash for specialized performance.
• Playing Style:
  • Power hitters should opt for maple or birch.
  • Contact hitters will find ash bats more advantageous.
• Durability Needs:
  • For long-lasting use, bamboo and birch stand out.
• League Regulations:
  • Ensure the bat material complies with your league’s standards.

Care Tips for Wood Baseball Bats

To extend the life of your wood bat:

• Always hit the ball with the "label up" to avoid weak spots.
• Store the bat in a dry place to prevent warping.
• Avoid using it against non-regulation balls, like rubber or dimpled practice balls.

Choosing the right wood bat is crucial for enhancing your game. Whether you’re drawn to the power of maple, the speed of ash, or the durability of bamboo, there’s a perfect bat out there for you. By understanding your playing style and needs, you can invest in a bat that not only improves performance but also stands the test of time. Need help finding the perfect baseball bat or softball bat? Our knowledgeable Bat Experts are available by email: experts@justbats.com, Live Chat, or our toll-free phone number: 1-866-321-BATS (2287)!