BBCOR BAT BREAKDOWN Everything you need to know before buying your BBCOR bat.

Welcome to the BBCOR Baseball Bat Buyers Guide!

BBCOR Baseball Bats

And, as always, if you have any questions, our friendly Bat Experts are available by email: experts@justbats.com, Live Chat, or our toll-free phone number: 1-866-321-BATS (2287)! Remember, we're here for you from click to hit!

What is BBCOR?

This video explains what BBCOR stands for and the importance of the BBCOR Certification.

BBCOR is an acronym for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution.

In the past, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) used a longstanding bat certification test called BESR, which stands for Ball Exit Speed Ratio. This test measured how fast a ball bounced off a composite or aluminum bat barrel. What the BESR test failed to account for was how a bat would perform after it was broken-in and safety soon became an issue because BESR bats were simply getting too hot. So, in response to this growing problem, the NFHS and the NCAA implemented the new BBCOR certification test.

BBCOR Bats feature a barrel that does not exceed 2 5/8 inches in diameter and, at most, a -3 length to weight ratio. BBCOR baseball bats are considered Adult Baseball Bats and are required for play in High School and Collegiate Leagues, while some Middle School Leagues require all baseball bats to carry the BBCOR .50 certification mark on their barrel or taper.

Have we confused you yet? To summarize:

• BBCOR regulates how much energy is lost during a bat's contact with a baseball, and it is measured by a number.
• The higher the number a bat registers, the hotter or more dangerous the baseball bat.
• BBCOR ensures that all non-wood bats (composite and aluminum) perform similarly to wood, even after they're broken-in.
• Once a bat passes the test, it is then deemed BBCOR certified and receives the .50 stamp.
• The NCAA and NFHS both agreed on .50 as the number because that is only slightly higher than a wood baseball bat.

Keep in mind, if you are a high school or collegiate student-athlete and your bat doesn't feature the BBCOR certification stamp, you won't be able to use it in a game. Did we answer all of your questions about the BBCOR certification? If not, please reach out to our Bat Experts at 1-866-321-2287, shoot them an email at experts@justbats.com, or check out our live chat feature!

Choosing the Right BBCOR Baseball Bat

Now that we've laid the groundwork for BBCOR, here is a short video breaking down how to choose the best BBCOR baseball bat.

To maximize your performance at the plate, you'll want an adult BBCOR bat that's perfect for you. Multiple factors come into play when choosing the bat that is right for you. These factors include:

• Length
• Weight
• Material

Length

Most BBCOR baseball bats range from 31 - 34 inches. But, there are a select few that offer 29 and 30-inch lengths. At JustBats.com, we base our recommendations for the length of a bat on a player's height and weight. But, please keep in mind, our recommendations are just that, a recommendation. It will ultimately come down to a player's personal preference, hitting mechanics, and strength. If you're not sure what length is best for you, scroll to the bottom of the page and check out the bat sizing chart.

Weight

In terms of weight, all BBCOR baseball bats feature a -3 length to weight ratio (or drop as some may call it). Some of you may be wondering, what in the world is length to weight ratio? Well, if you take the weight of the bat minus its length, you'll come up with a negative number that's called the drop or length to weight ratio. Still confused? Here's an example:

Suppose you have a 34-inch BBCOR baseball bat and you want to find the weight of it in ounces. Remember, all BBCOR bats feature a -3 length to weight ratio so you would take 34 and subtract 3 which gives you 31 ounces. To show you another way, all you have to do is take the length, 34 inches, and subtract it from its weight, 31 ounces - and the answer is a drop 3 length to weight ratio. Still confused? Don't forget our knowledgeable Bat Experts are available 24/7 via phone at 1-866-321-2287, email at experts@justbats.com, or our live chat!

Material

Now that we've covered what length and weight are best for you, we only have one more thing to discuss and that is the type of material. BBCOR baseball bats are primarily divided up into aluminum and composite designs. Now, there are some wood bats that feature the BBCOR certification as well but for the sake of this buyer's guide, we will focus on aluminum and composite BBCOR baseball bats.

• Aluminum BBCOR Baseball Bats, also known as alloy baseball bats, are going to offer a more traditional feel and provide you with that classic "Ping" sound on contact. All models constructed of aluminum alloy are going to be a one-piece design which is great for providing immediate impact feedback. Also, the great thing about this material, they tend to be much less expensive in comparison to their composite counterparts.
• Composite BBCOR Baseball Bats are becoming more and more popular and for good reason. Composite bats provide players with many advantages that help improve performance at the plate. These advantages include a larger sweet spot, less vibration in the hands, and greater durability. Now, keep in mind that not all composite bats will last longer than an alloy bat as that will vary from player to player.

Well, that about covers it. As we've said before, if you need additional help, contact our Bat Experts or see if the Bat Coach can help you find the perfect BBCOR bat. The Bat Coach will guide you through a short series of questions, and based on your answers, it'll select the BBCOR bats that are best for you.

TRY OUR BAT COACH

Answer a few simple questions to find your perfect bat.

Or, if you feel prepared and are ready to start shopping, check out all of the BBCOR baseball bats with free shipping every day! We have the largest selection and the best customer service on the web. Remember, we'll be here for you from click to hit!

Bat Sizing Chart

To use this interactive bat size chart :

• Move the top slider to the player's height range (in inches)
• Move the bottom slider to the player's weight range (in pounds)
• The recommended size will be displayed, along with the next size up and next size down

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)