My son's 11 and under baseball team is going Knothole this season. So that means I am in the market for a big barrel bat.

 

http://www.justbats.com/products/listview.asp?g=39

 

I know very little about the brand names, sizing, or what I should be looking for.

 

Suggestions?

 

Also, any suggestions about the switch from LL to Knothole?

http://www.justbats.com/products/detail_view.asp?i=7140

 

This looks like a good deal.

 

What does the 7.5, 8 and 10 weight to length ratios mean? Especially when buying a bat for a 11 year old?

Try going to Koch's Sporting Goods store in Cincy, they are very helpful and are in the know...good luck!

Best bat weight for 11-12 yrs old. (Players weight/18) + 14 = bat weight. Example: 90lbs/18 + 14 = 19 oz bat.

 

https://www.juniorbaseball.com/skillsclinics/morearticles/rightbat.shtml

 

Good article about picking the right bat.

Best bat weight for 11-12 yrs old. (Players weight/18) + 14 = bat weight. Example: 90lbs/18 + 14 = 19 oz bat.

 

https://www.juniorbaseball.com/skillsclinics/morearticles/rightbat.shtml

 

Good article about picking the right bat.

 

Was getting on here to post that. Great article. Thanks.

LBBC, who says you (or your son) needs a big barrel bat?

1 difference will be base stealing .Little League - you can not lead off -steal once the ball crosses the plate ( there are different interpretations of this )

 

Knothole - this is like real baseball , lead off ,straight steal so on .

 

Most pitchers in little league throw from a full wind up .In knothole the will have to hold runners on ,therefore need to throw from the stretch .

 

More or less - In knothole a walk or single the kid usually ends up on 3 rd by the second pitch

LBBC, who says you (or your son) needs a big barrel bat?

 

My understanding is that is the bat used in Knothole and there would be a disadvantage to not using it.

http://www.justbats.com/products/detail_view.asp?i=7140

 

This looks like a good deal.

 

What does the 7.5, 8 and 10 weight to length ratios mean? Especially when buying a bat for a 11 year old?

If the bat's length is 31 inches and the weight is 20 ounces, Take 20 from 31 your bat would be considered a

-11, or minus 11.

If the bat's length is 31 inches and the weight is 20 ounces, Take 20 from 31 your bat would be considered a

-11, or minus 11.

 

Why is that number important though? I could take my waist size and subtract my shoe size and get a rather large number. But what importance would it have.

My understanding is that is the bat used in Knothole and there would be a disadvantage to not using it.

 

The disadvantage would be your kid not creating his full potential of bat speed. In this case, size doesn't matter. It's all about bat speed. In the end, he'll be a better hitter with a smaller barrel...JMO

Why is that number important though? I could take my waist size and subtract my shoe size and get a rather large number. But what importance would it have.

 

Because the bigger the difference, the more bat speed that can be created...

Because the bigger the difference, the more bat speed that can be created...

 

Nice a see. That explains it. So, I really want a -10. I am looking at getting something along the lines of a 29 inch, 19 oz. Sound good?

At a young age, bat speed is important but acceleration through contact, is also. Some prefer -8's or -10's, length to weigh difference.

 

I always preferred a slightly heavier bat for youths 10-12yrs old, then choke up 1" and learn to generate hand/bat speed. Barrel diameter, doesn't gain an advantage but can create recoil, when making contact and not allowing a player to drive thru, at the point of impact.

At a young age, bat speed is important but acceleration through contact, is also. Some prefer -8's or -10's, length to weigh difference.

 

I always preferred a slightly heavier bat for youths 10-12yrs old, then choke up 1" and learn to generate hand/bat speed. Barrel diameter, doesn't gain an advantage but can create recoil, when making contact and not allowing a player to drive thru, at the point of impact.

 

Does the -10, 29 inch, 19 oz sound good?

 

Also, hearing that composite is the best route. I recoiled on spending $250 on a bat and my wife pointed out what we spent on my daughter's driver.

 

Went to Dick's tonight to get my hands on one and see what they feel like. My son liked them. I liked the Easton Stealth bat. It seemed like a good one. IS composite or Alloy better?