I need to purchase a bat for a middle schooler.

 

What's hot....what's not.....?

 

Best bat for the buck...?

 

I need some help before I pay too much for the wrong bat...

 

:idunno:

Unless she is serious about it don't spend more than 75-100 bucks. If she is serious still buy her a cheaper bat and use the extra money on lessons. In my opinion not a lot of difference in bats in that price range. Its more important to find a bat sized for her. When my daughter uses her bigger bat and by bigger I mean 2 ounces I can see a difference in her swing. I am amazed at how many girls swing "war clubs".

 

There is a saying I like to use. "If you have a 300 dollar bat and a 20 dollar swing you have a 20 dollar bat"

Unless she is serious about it don't spend more than 75-100 bucks. If she is serious still buy her a cheaper bat and use the extra money on lessons. In my opinion not a lot of difference in bats in that price range. Its more important to find a bat sized for her. When my daughter uses her bigger bat and by bigger I mean 2 ounces I can see a difference in her swing. I am amazed at how many girls swing "war clubs".

 

There is a saying I like to use. "If you have a 300 dollar bat and a 20 dollar swing you have a 20 dollar bat"

 

I would also say, a $20 bat in the hands of a $300 hitter makes it a $300 bat. A good hitter can hit with a ax-handle if need be. :lol2:

 

I agree with Meatpuppy, invest in lessons before you possibly spend too much money on an expensive doorstop.

sooooo many variables involved here.

How old is your DD?

How big and strong is she?

Does she hit away or is she a slapper?

 

Any of the top end bats, i.e. +$299 Xeno, LXT, Worth, Mako, etc. will give you pretty close to the same amount of "pop" from the bat side, but as stated above, your $$ are best spent on hitting lessons with a QUALITY, REPUTABLE, PROVEN instructor.

All good information. Has been taking lessons for a couple of years (reputable/proven instructor? As far as I know..ha..) she is really starting to take off. She's a pretty strong kid but not sure that she could handle an end loaded bat. Probably more of a balanced bat/line drive hitter. I'm looking for a middle of the road bat that someone has identified as a solid bat for the money.

Couldn't agree more regarding lessons however when we talk about cheap bats and middle of the road we are usually comparing aluminum to composite. The difference when they leave the factory is minimal but as a composite bat ages it gets broken in and will perform better ( more pop), but an aluminum bat will only get worse. The composit bat acts more like a trampoline as it breaks in. I actually have an Easton Stealth that we out grew that is still in good shape. It is a 32 inch 22 oz. I am going to sell it at a fraction of the price of a new one. Pm me if you are interested. It is a balanced -10 bat. We have not used it much as we stepped up a size shortly after getting it. It has not seen hardly any BP or tee work.

if 32" is her size, that would be a good deal to pick up on.

I am not currently a fan of the Louisville Slugger brand. I have seen 4 sheared bats from last year to this year, all Sluggers. Granted I don't know the conditions they were used in, but…. I saw one in a game this week sheared at the taper and the barrel just missed the shortstop and landed in the outfield grass. Very scary….

Checking Louisville Slugger off of my list. She hit a 31/21 last night. It's probably put her at her max for this year. What is the allowed drop for High School ball?

I don't know of any drop rules for high school. My daughter has used a drop 8 and 10 and no ump ever said anything. Demarini has always made a good bat. My daughter has always used their CF series. I would avoid the bats they make with the square neck. They tend to break! :(

I don't know of any drop rules for high school. My daughter has used a drop 8 and 10 and no ump ever said anything. Demarini has always made a good bat. My daughter has always used their CF series. I would avoid the bats they make with the square neck. They tend to break! :(

Demarini bats for baseball have always been popular in our house. I will look at the -10s there. Thanks everyone for the input....

Checkout justbats.com they have a bat coach to help you choose the right bat for your kid.

Worth's new 2-Legit bat is HOT!!!!

I am not currently a fan of the Louisville Slugger brand. I have seen 4 sheared bats from last year to this year, all Sluggers. Granted I don't know the conditions they were used in, but…. I saw one in a game this week sheared at the taper and the barrel just missed the shortstop and landed in the outfield grass. Very scary….

That was my daughter that broke her bat. It was only 3 months old, she has never used it in the cold and has not let anyone else hit with it. They don't make the bats the way they used to!:ohbrother:

That was my daughter that broke her bat. It was only 3 months old, she has never used it in the cold and has not let anyone else hit with it. They don't make the bats the way they used to!:ohbrother:

 

The whole Xeno line has become known for breaking.