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Picking The Best Baseball Bat

  1. RIP-IT BBCOR AIR Baseball Bat
  2. Louisville Slugger 2020 MLB Prime Wood Bat
  3. Marucci F5 USSSA Senior League Baseball Bat
  4. Easton 2021 B5 PRO Big Barrel -3 BBCOR Baseball Bat
  5. DeMarini 2018 D243 Pro Maple Wood Composite Baseball Bat
  6. DeMarini 2018 D110 Pro Maple Wood Composite Baseball Bat
  7. Easton ADV 360 -3 BBCOR Baseball Bat
  8. Marrucci 2014 Black Youth Bat
  9. Louisville Slugger 2020 MLB Prime Wood Bat
  10. Demarini 2014 CF6 Youth Baseball Bat
  11. Louisville Slugger C243 Pro Lite Ash Baseball Bat, Unfinished
  12. Marucci Sports DO34 Adult Custom Pro Baseball Bat
  13. Louisville Slugger C243 Buster Posey Wood Bat
  14. Louisville Slugger 113 Hornsby Black AFS Wood Bat
  15. Marucci Sports Cutch22 Maple Pro Baseball Bat
  16. 2014 Demarini Voodoo Overlord (-13) Baseball Bat
  17. 2014 Marucci MSBB148 Black Senior Baseball Bat (-8)
  18. Easton 2014 Mako Comp Senior Big Barrel Baseball Bat -10
  19. 2014 Louisville Slugger Vertex XL (-10) Senior League Baseball Bat
  20. 2014 Louisville Slugger Attack (-10) Baseball Bat
  21. Buyer's Guide

Bats, bats, bats everywhere! There are so many different bats on the market, it can be very confusing trying to figure out which is the right one to purchase. Finding the right bat can be like finding the right needle amongst thousands of needles in the haystack!

There are wood bats, aluminum bats, one-piece bats, composite bats, Little League bats, youth bats, Senior League bats, BBCOR bats, and more. Here are the determinants that will help you select the correct bat:

* Level of play and Regulations: There are bats for each level of play and different regulations for these levels. Purchasing the right bat for the level of play that meets regulations is the first step.

* The size of the bat: Getting a bat that is the right size for you or your kid is one of the most important factors in a player’s success. In general, taller players should use a longer bat and stronger players should use a heavier bat. However, you do not want a bat that is too heavy or too long, as that will greatly influence the quality of a player’s swing.

* The drop: Baseball bats are measured by their drop number - their length to weight ratio, a negative number that represents how many ounces a bat weighs when compared to it's length in inches. For example, a 31 inch bat that weighs 26 ounces has a -5 drop.

* Price: Bats can be very expensive. More expensive is sometimes better, but the most expensive is not always the best for you or your kid. More serious players do need better bats, but that doesn’t mean you have to get the highest priced model. Players just beginning or who don’t exhibit a passion for the game don’t need expensive bats - buy a lower-priced model and move up the money scale if they become more serious.

If you consider these factors and spend a little time doing research, you will be sure to get the best baseball bat in 2022 for you or the young player in your family.

Detailing the Best Baseball Bats of 2022

RIP-IT BBCOR AIR Baseball Bat - Best Baseball Bat Overall

The BBCOR Air is gaining popularity as the best bat on the market. And in a market with sporting equipment giants like Easton, Demarini and Louisville Slugger, this is no small feat. The "Rip-It" brand has made a name for itself with pure performance. This bat BBCOR .50 Certified, touts an advanced R2 Alloy to optimize swing speed and to create a giant sweet spot that allows the hitter to drive the ball on any location near the barrel. It is simply the hitter's ideal bat in today's market. I even prefer the 1-piece BBCOR Air over the higher-priced 2-piece BBCOR Air Elite, for its balance, forgiveness and durability.

Louisville Slugger 2020 MLB Prime Wood Bat - Runner Up

Louisville Slugger has been an industry giant almost as long as baseball has ben around. They are simply the best and continue to improve their technology to meet the needs of their consumers. The Assault is no different. This model is a one-piece BBCOR certified bat designed with what they call "flex band technology" inside of the barrel, which allows them to create a bat with thinner walls, resulting in a lighter swing weight. A lighter swing weight ultimately leads to increased bat speed, which means more power generated from the hitter. This bat is also used by top college programs in the country, lending credibility to the performance of the bat.

Marucci F5 USSSA Senior League Baseball Bat - Honorable Mention

The Marrucci Black makes the list for the second straight year with its 2014 model. This is a rare 2 piece bat that touts handle stiffness, something that draws me to this model. Typically, a 2-piece bat is constructed for optimal swing speed. The downside is a bat that has an uneven swing weight, which could cost a hitter that has a tendency to hit the ball inside on the hands. The upside, however is unparalleled bat speed through the zone due to optimized bat construction, which could lead to enormous pop if you hit the ball right - out in front, and central on the barrel. This bat is recommended for expert hitters who are confident in their hands.

Easton 2021 B5 PRO Big Barrel -3 BBCOR Baseball Bat - Consider

The Easton Mako BBCOR bat is a top-of-the-line bat that provides the unprecedented pop of a two-piece bat, with a stiff handle that provides surprising forgiveness, in the event that you happen to miss the sweet spot. This is an elite baseball bat -- for an elite baseball bat price. This is everything that a hitter could want in a baseball bat. Performance alone gets this bat on the list, price point keeps this bat from the top.

DeMarini 2018 D243 Pro Maple Wood Composite Baseball Bat - Best Baseball Bat

The Demarini Voodoo overlord is a two piece bat with a "carbon reinforced" paradox handle, which leads me to believe that this is another bat that has answered the criticisms that plague most two piece bats today. A two piece bat typically provides higher upside for the hitter that can get his hands through the zone, but a worse downside for a hitter that happens to get jammed, or miss the sweet spot. The Voodoo overlord has improved their model to keep the upside of a two-piece, while minimizing the downside, at a competitive market price.

DeMarini 2018 D110 Pro Maple Wood Composite Baseball Bat - Best Youth Bat

The Demarini Voodoo Paradox, like its big brother in the high school and college levels, ranks on the best bat list for a few distinguishing characteristics: The bat is made with high quality X10 alloy metal with new, thinner barrel walls and paired with a composite handle, to optimize swing weight and ultimately bat speed, meaning power for the hitter. There are some other bats on the market that provide these attributes, but it is rare to find a high quality bat at the $149.99 price rage to compete with the Voodoo Paradox. In short, this bat is as powerful as any other on the market, for a highly competitive price.

Easton ADV 360 -3 BBCOR Baseball Bat - Best Youth Bat

Easton poured all of the technology it has into the making of the 2014 Easton Mako. This bat is loaded with "TCT" Thermo-composite technology that the company boasts will increase both power potential and swing speed. On top of this, reviewers of all ages have praised the feel and pop of the Mako. This bat is simply as good as it gets in terms of power potential, swing speed and feel for 2014. However, top of the line bats often come with top of the line price tags, and the 2014 Easton Mako is no exception.

Marrucci 2014 Black Youth Bat

Marrucci 2014 Black Youth Bat - Best Youth Bat

Marrucci is the hottest bat producer on the market today, being endorsed by the likes of Albert Pujols and Jose Bautista, some of the big league game's top hitters. Along with the big name endorsements, Marucci takes pride in quality that speaks for itself. The simplistic commitment to quality is one of the main reasons that Marrucci bats have grown so popular in recent years, as no bat can withstand such a competitive market without high quality production.

The Marrucci Black comes standard with a carbon-composite handle, and ring free technology in the barrel that translates into pure pop from the sweet spot of the bat. This is the kind of bat that simply gets the job done -- power in its purest form. Great ratings across the board, and a great feel that has hitters raving.

Louisville Slugger 2020 MLB Prime Wood Bat - Best Youth Bat

Louisville Slugger has been making the best bats in the game for years, both recreational and youth. The Louisville Slugger assault is a bat with a one piece design, designed for balance and power, two qualities that are extremely important for a youth hitter. The Assault boasts the toughest alloy construction on the market, and provides all of the pop you would expect from a Louisville Slugger. If you prefer a one piece bat to the two piece construction, this bat is a no-brainer.

Demarini 2014 CF6 Youth Baseball Bat - Best Youth Bat

The best thing about the CF6 is that it combines all of the advantages of a 2 piece bat, while minimizing the disadvantages of a two piece bat. The advantages are an optimized swing weight that provides as much swing speed and pop at the barrel. What the CF6 has improved is the handle, which is carbon reinforced paradox composite handle is stiffer than the standard two piece bat, which means it has the swing feel of a one piece, meaning better energy transfer through the swing, similar to the bat on the top of the list. This is a technology that puts this bat in the top ranks.

Louisville Slugger C243 Pro Lite Ash Baseball Bat, Unfinished - Best Wood Bat

For over 120 Years, Louisville Slugger has been the number one bat of choice in Major League Baseball. Despite a saturated market, Louisville continues to produce top quality bats year in and year out. Louisville Slugger remains dedicated to their professional and recreational clients alike, using only top quality wood for all of their bats, as not to damage the integrity or reputation of their craft. The C243 is expertly constructed with top quality ash, which results in a strong, light and durable bat that simply performs in the competitive arena of Major League Baseball: "Bat feel" is subjective, but all swingers can attest to the grip and feel of an unfinished bat, whether you wear gloves at bat or not. Overall, this is a top-tier bat with the performance and feel to match the Louisville Slugger reputation. When you swing a C243, you swing with confidence, knowing that your weapon of choice is the best in the market.

best Marucci Sports DO34 Adult Custom Pro Baseball Bat

Marucci Sports DO34 Adult Custom Pro Baseball Bat - Best Wood Bat

Marrucci bats emerged onto the big league stage in 2002, and took the league by storm. Marrucci has been attracting big name clients, such as bombers the likes of Albert Pujols and Jose Bautista. Hitters are drawn to these bats for a few reasons. Of course, top quality wood and construction are prerequisites, but Marucci's persistence to tailor their specifications to each individual hitter are what set them apart. Like the former, this particular model sports the ash construction, lending the same speed/strength ratio as the other. The feel of the bat is different. Marrucci boasts a thicker handle, which some hitters prefer. This wood is also finished, leaving the hitter with a sleek, stylish bat with the performance to match. The ability to customize according to color specifications is just icing on the cake, and a testament to Marrucci's commitment to personal customization. However, custom bats come with a price, which is directly reflected on the price tag.

Louisville Slugger C243 Buster Posey Wood Bat - Best Wood Bat

The same model as the number one listing, but slightly altered to meet the specifications of former MVP and batting champion Buster Posey. This bat has all of the same positives as its cousin, with an added finish that may reduce what bat-makers call "soft spots", which are small locations on the bat where strength is compromised. The bottom line is, if it's good enough for one of the best hitters on Major League baseball, it's a quality bat. This bat could very well make for the number one bat, if you like the feel of a wood finish.

Louisville Slugger 113 Hornsby Black AFS Wood Bat

Louisville Slugger 113 Hornsby Black AFS Wood Bat - Best Wood Bat

Any "best wood bat" list would not be complete without a maple bat near the top of the pecking order. Maple bats are preferred by many power hitters for its increased hardness, compared to ash. This results in some increased pop in the swing, for hitters that are strong enough to use a bat that swings a little heavier, due to increased wood density. As mentioned previously in the article, you can't go wrong with a Louisville Slugger, and this top of the line maple model will assuredly provide the pop you are looking for. There is a caveat -- Maple is known to have a smaller sweet spot, so make sure you're hitting the ball square.

best Marucci Sports Cutch22 Maple Pro Baseball Bat

Marucci Sports Cutch22 Maple Pro Baseball Bat - Best Wood Bat

The Marrucci Cutch22 Maple Pro rounds out the best bat list. Marrucci has become a real player in the big league game due to performance alone. This particular model sports maple wood which as mentioned previously, is a harder wood that lends pop to a hitter that knows how to use it. The Cutch22 is also designed with a thinner handle, which worked to balance out the swing weight differential associated with any maple bat, allowing for the best of both worlds -- optimal bat speed and wood hardness that leads to increased pop. Ultimately this bat has as much potential as any, but is recommended for experienced hitters due to a smaller sweet spot and thinner handle, which could lead to breakage if contact is made on the handle.

2014 Demarini Voodoo Overlord (-13) Baseball Bat

2014 Demarini Voodoo Overlord (-13) Baseball Bat - Best Senior League Bat

Already named the best bat of the youth league, the senior league model does not disappoint. With all of the same technology as it's youth and high school models. The bat is made with high quality X10 alloy metal with new, thinner barrel walls and paired with a composite handle, to optimize swing weight and ultimately bat speed, meaning power for the hitter. The rare combination of top of the line bat construction and price make this bat is a no-brainer for any hitter.

2014 Marucci MSBB148 Black Senior Baseball Bat (-8) - Best Senior League Bat

The 2014 Marrucci Black is another bat the tops multiple lists for its optimal construction and swing weight. The 2014 Senior league model is a bit different than the other bats on this list, in that it comes in a lower drop weight (-8) as opposed to the other models that weigh in between -10 and -13. This means a couple things: first, this bat is recommended for stronger power hitters who could afford a heavier bat. Second, for the right hitter, this bat provides unprecedented pop. A competitive price tag also appeals to the hitter on a budget.

Easton 2014 Mako Comp Senior Big Barrel Baseball Bat -10 - Best Senior League Bat

The 2014 Easton Mako makes yet another best bat list, for its top of the line construction.Easton poured all of the technology it has into the making of the 2014 Easton Mako. This bat is loaded with "TCT" Thermo-composite technology that the company boasts will increase both power potential and swing speed. On top of this, reviewers of all ages have praised the feel and pop of the Mako. This bat is simply as good as it gets in terms of power potential, swing speed and feel for 2014.

2014 Louisville Slugger Vertex XL (-10) Senior League Baseball Bat - Best Senior League Bat

Louisville Slugger has differentiated itself in the senior league bat department by creating an entire line dedicated specifically to the senior league. The end result is a bat that is constructed specifically with the youth hitter in mind, as opposed to an adapted high school model. The Louisville Slugger vertex is Louisville's hybrid alloy 360 composite model, which boasts a stiffer handle than the two piece models. This means more efficient energy transfer for the hitter. A lighter senior league drop weight (-10) means that this hybrid model combines bat speed for power, which many other senior league bats lack.

2014 Louisville Slugger Attack (-10) Baseball Bat - Best Senior League Bat

The Louisville Slugger attack is Louisville's two piece model designed exclusively for the senior league hitter. This is a bat of choice for those who prefer two piece bats, which are inherently designed to optimize the hitter's bat speed. The Attack uses 360 Composite graphite in the barrel to lend a stringer, lighter bat, and Tru3 technology in the handle, which Louisville claims strengthens the handle and reduces vibration, common pitfalls of the two piece bat. For those most comfortable at the plate swinging a two piece, you can't go wrong with the Attack.

Buyer's Guide

In the early days of baseball, a player could bring anything they wanted to a baseball game to use as a bat. Planks, brooms, you name it - anything was used to try and score a home run. Eventually, baseball players tried to find ways to improve their bat’s performance and gain a competitive advantage, experimenting with materials, size, and shape.

In 1859, officials decided that a baseball bat could not exceed 2.5 inches in diameter, but it wasn’t until 1869 when they capped the length of a baseball bat at 42 inches. In the 1890s, the maximum width of a baseball bar was extended to 2.75 inches, and it had to have a rounded end.

Since then, baseball bats have been improved regularly to provide better comfort and improve performances. With so many options to choose from, it may seem like a difficult task to find the best baseball bat for you.

To make your experience quicker and easier, we have provided some advice you may like to consider before buying a baseball bat.

Continue reading to see what baseball bat features you should look out for!

Things to consider when buying a baseball bat

Baseball bats fundamentally do the same thing… hit a baseball! However, some baseball bats massively outperform others. To get the most whack for your buck, consider the following factors.

Length

To get the right-sized baseball bat, hold your arm out straight from your shoulder and to your side. Place the bat in the center of your chest. If the bat reaches the end of your fingertips, it the right length for you.

Alternatively, place the bat upright on the ground next to your shin and your side. If you can place the palm of your hand comfortably on top of the bat, it is a suitable length for you.

Weight

Hold the bat out to the side, maintaining a straight arm parallel with your shoulder. If you can hold the bat there for 30- 45 seconds without dipping your arm, it is a suitable weight for you. If the bat is too heavy, you will not generate enough power in your swing, and you’ll sacrifice proper form.

Construction

Most bats are made from either 1 or 2 pieces.

1 piece bats use the same construction material throughout the entire bat. They are usually strong with a good balance. Most experts consider this the perfect type of bat for a beginner. You should all choose this bat if you are a power hitter.

2 piece bats use 2 materials that are bonded together. This creates more flex upon contact (more hitting speed). As such, 2 piece bats are great for players with average to below-average hitting speeds.

Material

A lot of 1 piece bats are made with a solid metal alloy. This is the most commonly used type of bat as it is durable and long-lasting. These bats also do not need to be broken in before use.

Composite bats are made from reinforced carbon fiber polymer. You can buy these in the 1 piece or the 2 piece design. A composite bat has a larger sweet spot (the point on a bat where it can strike a ball and won’t cause the bat to vibrate) than an alloy bat. If you are considering a 2 piece composite bat, you will need to break the bat in before use. This helps loosen the resin in the barrel so the carbon fiber polymer can be more responsive upon contact.

Regulation standard

It is always a good idea to check in with your local league official to ensure your bat meets all requirements and is ready to be used in a competitive game.

Customer reviews

Always check customer reviews. On sites like Amazon, pay particular attention to verified buyers. This shows the reviewer has definitely bought the item. Check for performance and durability. If buying online, make sure the baseball bat is true to size, as you won’t get to see it in person until it arrives.

Warranty

If possible, buy a baseball bat with a warranty. If your bat breaks or causes extensive wrist pain after reasonable use, you should be able to return it and get a replacement free of charge.

How to swing a baseball bat correctly?

Once you find your perfect baseball bat, you will need to learn to use it properly. Follow our step-by-step advice so you can knock that baseball out of the park!

Loading your hands and striding

Hold the bat in both hands and raise your hands to about the same level as your head, but slightly behind. Your top hand’s palm should face down, and your bottom hand’s palm should face up. At the same time, stride forward with your front foot, so your foot is straight. Ensure your back leg is bent.

Back hip explosion

Push your back hip towards the ball. Your back foot should now be facing forwards. Your back toes should be the only part of your foot touching the floor.

Throwing your hands at the ball

As you push your back hip towards the ball, your hands should follow, so the base of your bat is facing the ball.

Contact

Swing the bat to make contact with the ball. Don’t make your arms completely rigid at the point of contact - keep them flexible!

Extension

As soon as you strike the ball, extend your arms out straight, keeping the bat horizontal from where it hit the ball.

Follow-through

Continue swinging your bat. Follow through with your momentum.

These steps should be completed in quick succession so that it looks like one smooth swing.

Baseball bat price range

You can buy a baseball bat for as little as $10. A high-end baseball bat can cost you up to $200. For a decent first-time baseball bat, we recommend budgeting between $30 and $70.

FAQs

What are some of the most popular baseball bat brands?

The most popular brands of baseball bats include Marucci, Louisville Slugger, Rawlings, DeMarini, and Easton. However, there are plenty more baseball bat brands available. You can find them with a quick Google search.

How long do baseball bats last?

Baseball bats can last up to two years, especially if being used in little league. If you buy a baseball bat with a warranty, it should be covered for up to 1-2 years.

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