As far as softball bats go, these are probably the best wood bats to get started with; if you can hit a ball with a wooden baseball bat, you can hit a baseball with ANY type of bat. They’re extremely suitable for both youth baseball and adult baseball. Watch how wood bats get made below:
When it comes to wood baseball bats, there are a variety of different types. The type of wood you want for your baseball bat all depends on what kind of feel you are looking for. Different players like different bats, so it’s important to read up on the characteristics of each type of wood bats.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF WOOD BAT
There’s no right or wrong choice when it comes to wood type; it all depends on what you feel most comfortable with. Some players prefer a heavier bat to build more power in their striking of the ball, while other players will prefer a lighter bat for more control and swing speed. Baseball players often test different wood types before settling on their preferred choice. The low cost of wooden bats make it easy for players to test different types of wood before settling on a wood bat that suits their needs.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CHOOSING FROM THE BEST WOOD BATS
Before choosing from the best wood bats we have selected below, consider your own personal needs. Every baseball player, from minor league to big league, has different characteristics and different requirements. Some players are tall and muscular, others are shorter and more toned. Your body characteristics will help guide you towards the right softball bat, so consider the following:
SKILL LEVEL
If you’re now getting into the game and consider yourself a beginner to intermediate, consider a lighter bat with a larger barrel. If you’ve been in the game a while and consider yourself intermediate to veteran, consider a heavier bat with a smaller barrel. Ultimately though, you need a bat which fits your own individual needs.
GRIP
The last thing you want is for your new wood bat to be giving you blisters! Most bat manufacturers are adding sanded grips to their bats these days to prevent this from happening; it will be more costly to have a bat with a sanded grip, but much better for your hands in the long run.
WEIGHT
The weight of the bat you choose will all depend on the flexibility of the players wrist and the weight of the player. Bats packed with power will allow a power hitter to smash the ball away with ease, but require the player to be well conditioned in strength to use properly. A lighter bat will be much easier to use for a player with less upper-body strength.
BARREL
Like with bat weight, the barrel is important depending on the size of the player. The more muscular the player, the larger barrel bat they will need to be able to strike the ball properly. Bigger players will suit the big barrel bats whereas a player that can’t get great distance but can get great contact will be looking at a smaller barrel.
HANDLE
The thicker the handle, the less vibration you will feel between the barrel and the handle. If vibration isn’t too much of an issue for you, a thinner handle will allow your hands to move more easily. To minimize vibration, go for a thicker handle.
LENGTH
It goes without saying that the taller the player is, the longer the wood bat they will need. There’s no real rule here but if you’re a tall player, you may feel more comfortable with a longer bat. If you’re a shorter player, a shorter bat could suit you more. This is open to individual needs.
HOW TO CARE FOR AND MAINTAIN YOUR NEW WOOD BAT
The more care and maintenance you give to your new wood bat, the longer life it will have. Care and maintenance is very important, even with the best wood bats. You can spend hundreds of dollars on a top of the range bat; but if you don’t care well for it and maintain it, it will be reduced to nothing! If you want to keep your bat in top condition:
Store your baseball bat in good conditions, keeping it away from damp conditions and direct sunlight.
Do not throw your bat – it doesn’t matter what your bat is made of, they are not made for throwing!
Don’t leave your bat in the car or in direct sunlight on a hot day – the heat will make your bat brittle and break down.
CONCLUSION AND TOP PICK
Baseball is a thriving, growing sport; and nothing is more important than having the best wood bats at your disposal and picking one that suits. If you want to succeed at Baseball, and maybe even have a future in the professional baseball game if you’re a younger player, you need one of the best wood bats on the market.
All of the reviewed bats are of top quality, but our ultimate pick is the MARUCCI CHASE UTLEY PRO CU26 MODEL. It has a sanded grip, doesn’t cost the earth, has a great weight distribution and is BBCOR certified making it perfect for big league or little league baseball. You might be interested in checking out some of the best BBCOR bats on the market if a BBCOR certified bat is required for you.
Remember the most important rule of all when it comes to finding the best wood bats or any bat really – YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! Pick a bat, get outside and enjoy the game of baseball!