What Is Drop In Baseball & Softball Bats?

There are multiple variables to consider when shopping for a new baseball bat or softball bat. And considering you may find yourself spending a couple of hundred dollars, it’s important to take the time to learn all of the details of your next bat before you checkout. These details can include anything from knob design, taper length, barrel construction etc. If you ever find yourself questioning something regarding a bat, know that the Bat Experts at JustBats are eagerly waiting to talk about bats. And one of the most common questions our Bat Experts field is what is a bat’s drop?

Also known as a length to weight ratio, a baseball or softball bat’s drop refers to the difference between a bat’s length (inches) and a bat’s weight (ounces). The following formula displays how a bat’s drop is determined:

Bat Length (in) - Bat Weight (oz) = (-)Drop

Bat Drop Example

The most common youth baseball bats are made with drop -10 constructions. This means that every model will be ten ounces lighter than inches it is long. A 30-inch bat with a drop -10 will weigh 20 ounces. Meanwhile a 30-inch, drop -5 bat will weigh 25 ounces. 

Big Takeaway: The higher a bat’s drop weight, the lighter the bat will be.

What is the Drop of a BBCOR Bat?

All BBCOR baseball bats are required to have a drop -3 weight-to-length ratio. This creates a universal standard throughout the high school and college ranks. Watch this video to learn more about how to choose the right BBCOR bat for you or your player. 

When should you swing a heavier drop?

A hitter should swing the heaviest bat that they are comfortable swinging. There should not be any strain in a young hitters swing to get the barrel through the zone. However, you want to make sure a player is maximizing their swing by getting the most weight possible behind the ball. As a result, a heavier, yet controlled swing will produce the best results.

What about the length of a bat? 

Now that you have a better understanding of a bat's drop weight, how do you know what length is right? Our Bat Experts recommend a length, in inches, based on a player's height and weight. Use the bat size calculator below to get a recommendation but please note that this could change depending on a player's strength, hitting style, or preference.

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That’s all we’ve got for you today. Hopefully we didn’t drop the ball in answering any of your questions. However, if you are still interested in learning more about bats, or if you have lingering questions, please reach out to us via phone (1-866-321-2287), email (experts@justbats.com) or LIVE CHAT on our website. We’re JustBats and we’re with you from Click to Hit!