Welcome to the Wood Baseball Bat Buyers Guide!

Wood Baseball Bats

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Wood Baseball Bats: Turn Models

The turn model of a wood bat can be considered a "blueprint" for various characteristics that affect its swing weight and feel. This video details the different wood bat turn models.

If you're having trouble selecting the turn model that best fits your hitting style, we've listed characteristics of popular wood bat turn models below:

110 Turn

Barrel Diameter: 2 1/2"
Taper: Long
Handle Thickness: 1.00"

The 110 turn has the most balanced swing weight of the standard turn models. This is a great option for a player who is new to wood bats and helps ease the transition from a BBCOR model. The thick handle also adds to the bat's durability. The 110 turn wood bat is a very popular choice among contact hitters who are looking for more bat speed through the hitting zone.

271 Turn

Barrel Diameter: 2 1/2"
Taper: Long
Handle Thickness: 15/16"

The 271 turn feels very similar to the 110 turn, but it has a quicker taper between the barrel and handle. This turn model can comfortably be used by contact or power hitters and has a slightly end loaded swing weight.

I-13 Turn

Barrel Diameter: 2 1/2"
Taper: Medium
Handle Thickness: 15/16"

The I-13 features very similar dimensions to the 271. The big difference between the I-13 and 271 models is that the taper of an I-13 turn bat is more extreme, so it will have more of an end loaded swing feel than the 271 turn. The I-13 is a popular choice among power hitters who are looking for more mass in the barrel.

243 Turn

Barrel Diameter: 2 5/8"
Taper: Medium
Handle Thickness: 29/32" or 15/16"

The 243 turn model features the largest barrel diameter and thinnest handle of the common turn models. It's a great model for a power hitter who's looking for that end loaded swing feel. This turn model may also be a little harder to control for someone new to wood bats, or a contact hitter.

Still can't decide on a wood bat that fits your hitting style? Our Bat Experts are available by Phone (1-866-321-2287), Email (experts@justbats.com), or Live Chat!

The Benefits of Swinging Ash Wood Bats

The lightest of wood types, ash bats are the most flexible and forgiving. This video explains the advantages of ash wood bats.

The benefits of ash wood baseball bats include the following:

• Increased bat speed, because of ash's grain structure.
• Ash is, pound-for-pound, the strongest type of wood you can choose.
• Ash bats have a wider grain structure than other woods, so they have a "softer" feel.
• Ash bats flex during the swing, and the flex is more forgiving, which creates added bat whip through the hitting zone.

When using an ash model, you need to ensure that contact is made on the side of the bat with the straight grains. To achieve this is, always make contact with the label facing straight up or straight down. By hitting on the strongest side of the bat, you will extend the life of your new ash wood bat.

The Benefits of Swinging Bamboo Bats

Technically, bamboo is not a wood; it's a grass. This video explains the advantages of bamboo baseball bats.

Why should you swing a Bamboo wood bat?

• Bamboo bats are made by taking bamboo strips and pressing them together to form one billet.
• Bamboo has a stronger tensile strength than steel, which is only strengthened during the bat manufacturing process.
• Depending on the turn model, bamboo bats have a light swing weight.
• These bats offer better durability than traditional wood bats, and most bamboo models carry warranties backed by their manufacturers.

Although it has often been a popular option for a batting cage bat, these models are great options for wood bat league play. To be used in High School or Collegiate play, adult bats made of bamboo must be adorned with the BBCOR .50 certification mark. Check out the current selection of bamboo wood baseball bats.

The Benefits of Swinging Composite Wood Bats

The most durable kind of wood bat, composite wood bats are encased in a composite shell. This video explains the advantages of composite wood baseball bats.

There are a few types of bats that qualify as composite wood models. They include bamboo bats wrapped in a composite sheath, a bamboo core wrapped with maple laminate, and a composite handle with a maple or ash barrel. Advantages of composite wood bats include:

• Composite wood bats feature great durability.
• For league play, adult composite wood bats must meet the BBCOR certification. Even with the required BBCOR stamps, some leagues do not allow the use of composite wood bats. So, it's always best to check with a coach or league official before making your bat purchase.
• Composite wood bats give similar results as a standard wood bat but have the added benefit of a longer useful life.
• Great for players who are new to using wood bats.
• Popular bats for batting cages.

We have a great selection of composite wood bats, and our bat experts would be more than happy to find the model that best fits your hitting style.

The Benefits of Swinging Maple Wood Bats

The most common type of wood baseball bat is maple. This video explains the advantages of using a maple wood baseball bat.

Maple is a very dense wood, so maple bats have an extremely responsive barrel. This means that you can feel the ball leave the bat on contact. Other advantages of maple wood baseball bats are:

• Maple is more durable than ash because it has a much tighter grain structure.
• Because of its density, maple wood bats often have a heavier feel to them.

Even with its tight grain structure, you need to ensure you're making contact on the appropriate side of the bat. Like other wood bat models, to get the longest useful life out of your new bat, you need to make contact with the label facing straight up or straight down.

Many high-end Maple models will have what's called an "Ink Dot Test" applied to them. This Ink Dot demonstrates the straightness of the grain. The straighter the grain is, the better durability the bat should exhibit. Also, whichever side the test is applied, will be the hardest side of the bat.

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)