I'm looking to get my son (8) a baseball bat. We went to ******'s Sporting Goods to check out what they had, and my head was spinning. I don't really know if there's much involved in sizing a bat, but I'm sure there some things to consider. They had a height chart next to the display, and according to the chart (he's ~55-56" tall), my son should be looking at a bat in the 29 - 31" range. I was thinking he should get a 30 - 31" bat since he should be able to use it for the next couple of years (according to the heigh chart provided), unless he goes through a huge growth spurt. His swing and bat speed is about average to slightly above average IMO. He doesn't have a ton of power like some uber athletic kids his age, but he's definitely not weak or sloppy in his swing...so I was looking at some 17 - 17.5 ounce bats. That's a 30"/17oz bat if you're keeping score. But WOW, once I started finding the slightly longer and lighter bat combo, some of the prices were ASTRONOMICAL! The prices vary from around $59 - $250....what father would spend $250 on his young child for a friggin bat? Is the "technology" of the bat that significant that it's gonna turn your child into A-Rod? A dad must've seen my confusion while looking at a $250 Easton Stealth, and he told me he's bought a couple of the same bat on the "bay" for around $80 - $90 or so...hey, I think I might be somewhat ok with that...his birthday's coming up real soon, and I can pass that advice on to the grandparents...we'll spring for the $15 bat/duffle bag. LOL

So is there something I should consider when choosing a bat? Anyone know of a good place to shop this stuff online, or anyone here in the biz? I've never done an ebay transaction, and frankly don't feel like bidding on anything, but I guess if I can get a good deal I may be up for it.

have you asked RAM....

he is partial to louisville sluggers (that and cheap vodka)

Always had cheap bats (size???????).

Have you checked with Ram?????

Ram has a new bat... he might give you his old one...

Maybe he'll chime in.

Louisville Slugger, Easton, and DeMarini (sp?) seem to be the the bats of choice. They didn't have any wooden bats. [/scratching head] 🙂

Is Ram done beating his horse with it?

ram has wood and whacks off

This guy I know named Homer had a "wonder bat".

It was awesome.

You should get one like that.

I'm at a loss for words !!!!!!!! LOL

Go with a cheap L-slugger, like TV stated ' cheap' the child is only 8 and is going to out grow it.

I've been on the same mission for my 7 yr old son.

I've talked to several coaches and dads and they all agree. The lighter the bat...the better, at their age.

My son swings a 28'' bat but I like him swinging his old 26'' better. Only problem is his team made fun of him for using such a short bat that he had to have one longer.

I suggest finding one that he can have great hand speed with, whatever the size.

RAM when (what age) did you switch to the good wood? Just approximately.... was it before or aftr President Lincoln's untimely demise?

DO NOT BUY HIM A BAT FOR THE NEXT # OF YEARS!!!!!!!

It will be too heavy for him now and may ruin the whole experience of baseball for him.

Light bat=more bat speed.

You usually can find last year's model for a discounted price.

You should be able to find something decent for less than $80.

A wood bat would be much heavier that an aluminum bat of the same length.

Light bat=more bat speed.

You should get a few years use out of a decent bat, leave the expensive ones for when he is older.

Yea, bats are expensive. They now have these bats that flex, supposed to give more power.

Right now, I would go middle of the road ($50-$125) and go with a solid bat. Keep it light and relatively short. As someone above said, don't plan on multiple seasons as a bat that is too big or heavy will make it harder for him to perform now.

Another consideration is the youth leagues are again considering banning metal bats. Should not impact your kid this year, and may never. There is a high school player in the SF bay area that has been in a coma for over a week. He was hit in the head by a batted ball. They say that metal bats can add about 4mph to a hit ball (over a wood bat) and that pitchers can be injured more easily by a ball hit with a metal bat.

B

Bats schmats!

You want that kid hitting a ball?

You better have him hooked up with BALCO!

Between the Cream and the Clear he should be hitting 500! Hook that kid up with Mark Silva and you'll make every other kid look like a chump as you're clearing the bases with another homerun!

Don't believe me?

Ask Canseco, McGuire, Sosa, Bonds, Sheffield and a host of others. Swing for the fences and see ya in Cooperstown lil' man!

In a way, I wish they would bring back the wooden bats. Not necessarily from a safety standpoint...but just because. However, I can see why metal bats (and even wood) may be a safety hazard. At the younger ages, I've always thought the pitching mound was close to the plate. There comes a time when there are a few "gifted" kids that can really smack the ball, and at 7, 8, 9, etc the kids generally don't have the quickness to react to a linedrive shot at them. But then, you increase the distance between the mound and homeplate, and then the pitches will be hitting the dirt...fine line I guess.

LOL@DMV

How 'bout we just start with Monster Energy drinks in their water bottles, and go from there?

Dave,

E-mail me. I think I can help you out. I've got a few bats from my sons playing days that he's rarely used (he would carry several at one time) I can send you some pics first etc...

kawak17pred yahoo

ems, kawak

Check out Tuesday Morning. Its a store that has everything at discount prices.

A few days ago I found about 25 bats for $25. They were great brands like Easton, DeMarini, Louisville Slugger...

Sadly they didn't have one 27''.

Decide the size you want and I'll do some shopping for you if you want.