Bat Size by Age
Also known as: what size bat, bat size chart, bat sizing chart, baseball bat size, bat length by age, bat weight by age, choosing a baseball bat, how to size a baseball bat, right size bat
Easton's age chart, a common starting point, suggests 24–26 inch bats for ages 5–7, 26–28 for 8–9, 28–29 for age 10 and 30–31 for 11–12. For older players it suggests 31–32 inches at 13–14, 32–33 at 15–16 and 34 at 17 and up. Then fine-tune by fit: pick a bat the player can swing fast and control, with the certification stamp your league requires.
Bat charts are a starting point, not a rule. Easton publishes one chart by age and one by height and weight. The height-and-weight chart helps kids who are big or small for their age. For example, it suggests 30 inches for a player 53–56 inches tall who weighs 61–70 pounds. Many coaches also use quick fit checks. With the bat standing beside the leg, the knob should reach about the middle of the palm. Another check is to put the knob at the middle of the chest and point the bat along an outstretched arm. The fingertips should reach the end of the barrel.
Weight matters as much as length. Drop is the weight in ounces minus the length in inches. A 30-inch, 20-ounce bat is a drop -10. Easton's guide says most players under 11 use a drop of -10 or more. Older players move toward -8 and -5 before a BBCOR -3. Many coaches suggest the heaviest bat the player can still swing fast and on time, not the heaviest one they can lift. A simple check is to hold the bat straight out to the side by the handle. If the barrel sags quickly, it is probably too heavy.
Choose in this order. First pick the certification the league requires: USA Baseball, USSSA, BBCOR or wood. Then pick the length from the chart and the fit checks. Then pick the weight by how the swing looks. Buying a bat to grow into usually backfires. A bat that is too long or heavy slows the swing and leads to dropping the barrel and casting. If a player is between sizes, many coaches choose the shorter or lighter bat.
Tips by skill level
Start with the age chart, then check the height-and-weight chart. Have the player take several swings with the two closest sizes and pick the one they swing faster and more on time.
Re-check fit every season. Growth spurts change the right length, and a player moving toward high school should start building up to heavier drops before the -3 jump.
Example
A 10-year-old who is 4 feet 7 inches tall and 68 pounds wants his older brother's 31-inch bat. His dad checks Easton's charts. They suggest about 28–29 inches by age and 30 inches by height and weight. In the store he swings a 29 and a 30. He is quicker and more on time with the 29. They buy that one, with the USA Baseball stamp his league needs.
Why it matters
A bat that fits lets a young hitter swing fast and control the barrel. A bat that is too long or heavy builds slow, long swings that are hard to undo later.
Common mistakes
- Buying a bigger bat for the player to grow into
- Choosing by length alone and ignoring the weight
- Buying a bat with the wrong certification stamp for the league
- Picking the bat that feels best on one swing instead of after several
Frequently asked questions
What size bat should a 10 year old use?
Easton's age chart suggests 28–29 inches for a 10-year-old. Use the height-and-weight chart to fine-tune, and pick a weight they can swing fast, often a drop of -10 or more at that age. Make sure it has the stamp their league requires.
How do I know if a bat is too heavy?
Watch the swing. If the barrel drops below the hands, the swing gets long or the player is late on average fastballs, the bat is likely too heavy. Many coaches also have the player hold it straight out to the side. If it sags quickly, try a lighter one.
Should I buy a bigger bat for my kid to grow into?
Usually not. A bat that is too long or heavy slows the swing and builds habits like casting and dropping the barrel. Buy the size that fits now.
Sources
Related terms
- USA Baseball Bat (USABat)A USA Baseball bat (USABat) carries the USA Baseball certification mark and is tested to a wood-like performance standard. Little League requires it for non-wood bats in its Minor League and Majors divisions. Other youth leagues such as Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken, PONY and AABC use it too. The standard has no drop-weight limit.
- USSSA Bat (1.15 BPF)A USSSA bat carries USSSA's 1.15 BPF certification mark on the taper. It is made for USSSA travel-ball baseball and is tested to a different standard from USA Baseball and BBCOR bats. USSSA bats are banned in Little League, and a USSSA-only bat is not legal in high school play.
- BBCOR BatBBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) is the performance standard that high school and college baseball require for non-wood bats. A legal bat carries a permanent 'BBCOR .50' mark and performs close to wood. Under NFHS high school rules it can weigh no more than 3 ounces less than its length (a drop -3). Its barrel can be no wider than 2 5/8 inches.
- Bat SpeedBat speed is how fast the barrel is moving at contact, in mph. It contributes to exit velocity alongside bat path and where on the barrel you make contact.
- Casting (Batting)Casting is a swing fault where the hands and barrel arc wide instead of taking a direct path to the ball. It kills bat speed and limits inside coverage.
- Swing LengthSwing length is how far the barrel travels from the start of the swing to contact. A shorter path generally needs less time, at some cost to peak bat speed.
Related guides & benchmarks
Have a question about this?
There is nothing here to film. Ask SwingVantage a follow-up question, or keep reading the related terms above.