How to Choose a Softball Bat

Sizing Guide

Find the perfect softball bat size for any player by factoring in considerations such as length, weight, drop, material, and league requirements. Use the resources below, or get direct help from our bat experts using the following options. JustBats wants to help you purchase the correct size of softball bat for your player! Below you will find a Bat Length Calculator that will determine the correct length of bat for your player based on their height and weight.

How Do I Know Which Bat Size To Get?

TRY OUR BAT COACH

Answer a few simple questions to find your perfect bat.

LENGTH

The size of a softball bat is denoted in length (inches) and weight (ounces). The length is the measurement from the base of the knob to the end of the barrel. The following methods provide general suggestions for choosing the correct youth softball bat length. The following methods are not an exact science but rather meant to provide a ballpark estimation.

A.

Extend the knob of your bat from the middle of your chest to the end of your hand. If only your fingertips can wrap around the end of the bat, you are on the right track!

B.

 

Place the barrel of the bat flat on the ground next to you. Relax your arm by your side. The goal here is for the knob of the bat to gently touch your palm. 

C.

 

 

Place the bat’s knob on your sternum and let the bat extend out anteriorly. If you can grab the barrel of the bat you are on the right track.

WEIGHT

When selecting a bat for a player that has outgrown their previous one, you will typically want to choose a bat that weighs 1-2 ounces heavier than the previous one. 

With a softball bat, sizing can often be determined by the stature of the player. Bigger, stronger players usually prefer a heavier bat for the highest power potential. Smaller, contact hitters usually prefer a lightweight bat that allows for excellent swing speed and precise bat control.

DROP

Understanding “the drop” or “length-to-weight ratio” will be helpful in determining the correct bat size as well. This combination of bat length and weight will be the main determinant of a player's overall hitting experience. Consider trying teammates' bats to determine the correct softball bat size for your player. 

Use the formula below to determine "the drop" of a bat -and- also to check out the most popular drop sizes by age!

Leagues

Just about every single fastpitch bat will have every governing body stamp that a player will need to use it in a game. Because of that, selecting a fastpitch bat in regard to league certification is fairly easy.

T-BALL

Ages: 6 years old or younger.
Drop Weights: -10 to -13.5
Barrel Diameter: 2 1/4"

About these bats: Tee ball bats are specially made to only hit off of a tee. Do not use them against live pitching or a machine.

Stamp: All current bats built for use in tee ball will feature the USA stamp and be allowed for play in any league.

FASTPITCH SOFTBALL (Coach and Player Pitch)

Ages: Typically 7 years old to adults
Drop Weights: -8 to -13
Barrel Diameter: 2 1/4"

About these bats: Designed with a thin, 2 1/4" barrel diameter. Certification stamps will be the same from the youngest to oldest levels of play.

Stamps:

Bat 101

This section will help you learn about the different parts of a bat. Including bat materials, overall construction types, swing weights, and barrel diameters.

BAT COMPONENTS

• KNOB: Allows a place for the batter's bottom hand to rest when swinging the bat.

• HANDLE: Where a batter will grip when swinging. Typically, the handle will be covered by a bat grip or tape.

• TAPER: This section of the bat is where the barrel thins into the handle.

• BARREL: The largest area of the bat, specifically designed to create the best results on contact with a softball.

• END CAP: Meant to seal the barrel from the outside. New innovations allow some end caps to deliver more balance and reduce vibrations.

LENGTH & WEIGHT

• LENGTH is the measurement (in inches) from the bottom of the knob to the top of the end cap.

• WEIGHT in bats is measured in ounces. Bats may vary slightly from their listed weight as a result of cosmetic additions during the manufacturing process.

• DROP is the difference between the (number of the length inches of the bat) and the (number of the weight in ounces of the bat).

BARREL DIAMETER

Fastpitch bat barrel diameters come in one size: 2 1/4”. This barrel diameter measurement (in inches) is recorded by measuring the total distance through the thickest part of the barrel.

ONE-PIECE VS. TWO-PIECE

• ONE-PIECE bats feature a single piece of material from the knob to the end cap.

  • It provides a stiff feel when connecting with a ball.

  • It is usually the most affordable style of bat.

  • Very popular for fastpitch players as they first start playing softball.

  

• TWO-PIECE bats feature a barrel portion and a handle portion that are fused together at a connection point.

  • These bats display barrel flex and limit vibration when hitting a softball.

  • Since a two-piece design is more difficult to make, these bats will usually have higher price tags than one-piece bats.

  • Most popular style of fastpitch bat.

  

BALANCED VS. END LOADED

• BALANCED swinging bats are going to be bats that have an even weight distribution from the end cap to the knob. These bats are the easiest to control and are excellent for contact hitters.

  (Most fastpitch bats sized -10, -11, -12 & -13 will be balanced)

  

• END-LOADED bats have extra weight put into the barrel. These bats are intended to be used by power hitters who will benefit from the extra barrel weight by achieving higher exit velocities and more distance on contact.

  (Most of the end-loaded fastpitch bats out there will be in the -8 or -9 sizes)

  

BAT MATERIAL

Here are the most popular Fastpitch Bat Materials:

• COMPOSITE

Composite bats are built from carbon fibers that are intertwined together and then stacked in layers. This material allows for very accurate weight distribution throughout the bat. And typically, these bats are made in a two-piece design.

Pros:

  The two-piece design allows for less discomfort on the hands during a miss-hit.

  Because weight can be placed precisely throughout the bat, these bats are usually the most balanced feeling.

  Typically, these bats can feature longer barrels (bigger sweet spots) that don't feel extra heavy.

Cons:

  Since composite material is the most difficult bat material to create, these bats are usually the most expensive.

  The layered material usually requires a little bit of a break-in period to allow it to perform at the highest level.

  Composite bats seem to break down a little easier when compared to alloy barreled bats (especially when temperatures sink to near 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit).

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• ALLOY

Alloy bats are built from walls of material put together to create the bat. Traditionally, these bats have felt more end-loaded when compared to composite bats. However, in recent years, manufacturers have found the ability to make these bats feel pretty balanced. As well, alloy bats are most commonly made in the one-piece design.

Pros:

  Alloy material is easier to make than composite material and alloy bats can be sold at a lower price in most cases.

  Older and stronger players usually enjoy the stiff feel of one-piece alloy bats. They feel as though all their power gets transferred into the swing and no power is lost.

  Sometimes these bats are referred to as "cold weather" bats. Although, it is hard to say that any bat is truly a "cold weather" bat, alloy bats do seem to hold up when temperatures drop to around 50-60 degrees fahrenheit.

  No break-in period is required. Alloy bats are ready to perform at the top level on day one.

Cons:

  Younger players can find these bats to feel a little end-loaded.

  When compared to a composite bat, it could feel that the sweet spot on an alloy bat is smaller.

  The one-piece design can cause discomfort if the ball is not hit on the sweet spot.

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