Both youth and adult players will enjoy taking their cuts more and will be much more productive if they are toting a bat that is the right length and weight. Watching little Billy swing hard with an oversize bat and then watching the bat swing Billy is funny the first time, but Billy won’t be a happy hitter and his progress will be stunted. Even Bat Length And Weightadults will boost their performance with a properly sized bat.

For youth the right size is vital. It’s okay to choose a bat perhaps a few ounces too big for your growing child and they can choke up until they grow into it. But don’t go larger than that. Here’s a chart to put you on the right track.

Youth 6-11

Up to 46 inches: 16 ounce bats

47-50 inches: 16-17 ounce bats

49-52 inches: 16.5 to 17.5 ounce bats

51-54 inches: 17 to 18 ounce bats

53-56 inches: 17.5 to 18.5 ounce bats

55-58 inches 18 to 19 ounce bats

Over 58 inches: 18.5 to 21 ounce bats

Overlaps give you a chance to take your child’s physical characteristics into account.

Youth 12-14

Little girls really grow during this time and boys begin to take off, too. Use this chart for a basic framework to meet your child’s needs. Most experts switch to a weight-based scale here since children fill out as such different rates.

Up to 75 pounds: 17 to 19 ounces

Up to 100 pounds: 18.5 to 20 ounces

Up to 125 pounds: 19 to 21 ounces

Up to 140 pounds: 20-22 ounces

Up to 165 pounds: 21-23 ounces

Dealing With The Weight

The weight is more important than the length. Fastpitch softball bats are offered in lengths with the number of inches being 8-12 more than the number of ounces. For example, you’ll find youth bats that weight 20 ounces offered in lengths from 28 inches to 32 inches.

Ages 15 through Adult

Up to 135 pounds: 25-27 ounces

Up to 155 pounds: 26-28 ounces

Up to 185 pounds: 27-30 ounces

Over 185 pounds: 29-31 ounces

Keep in mind that these are maximum suggested weights. Many players like to swing a bat with a negative weight ratio of -9 to -12 for greater bat speed. This means that a 34 inch bat, the longest manufactured for fastpitch softball, might weight 22-25 ounces. In fact, you’ll find only a few fastpitch softball bats that weigh 30 ounces or more.

Additional Reading
Livestrong.com
Sportsoutlet.com

The right length and weight will make you better.

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