Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the United States, right next to American Football. It has often been dubbed as the national pastime of the American public due to the fact that a large majority grew up playing it and still do in their spare time.
The game comprises of two teams with nine players in each. The teams take turns batting and fielding one after the other. The aim of the fielding team is to restrict the batting side to little or no runs by making sure they can't connect the bat with the ball; otherwise called a "no-hitter." Runs are obtained by running between the bases, one to the other, and then back to the home plate in order to complete a home run.
If you're looking to introduce your kids or your friends to baseball, then you need to get them the right equipment. Gloves, bats, balls, kit; the whole deal.
Here are a few tips on how to choose the best bats for youth:
SIZE: The purpose of the bat is to hit the ball as effectively and as far away as possible. In order to do that, your bat needs to feel at home in your hands. It needs to be light enough that you can swing it properly, long enough so that you can make proper contact and heavy enough to apply enough momentum. The size is usually determined by placing it vertically on the ground and seeing if you can easily grasp the handle. Another technique that is usually employed is to place the knob at the center of our chest and attempting to grab the barrel. This makes it nearly equivalent to the length of your arm or slightly longer.
HEFT If the bat is too heavy, it will throw you off balance. If it's too light, you won't be able to hit the ball properly. The end cap is the heaviest part of the bat, and thus a longer bat will be exponentially heavier. Some bats have varying weight distribution with more of the bulk focused towards the cap, resulting in higher swing weight, while others have a more uniformly distributed load.
WEIGHT DROP It is important to consider weight drop when choosing a bat. It gives you a relative idea of the density of the bat in question. The weight drop is the length of the bat (in inches) minus the weight of the bat (in ounces).
TRY IT OUT You will never know what works for you unless you try it out in a live game against actual pitchers. There are different materials used for making bats. Local sellers have inventories of some of the best wooden bats. Composite wood is also fairly common.
REGULATIONS Different leagues adopt different regulations regarding the weight drop of the bat allowed and the barrel diameter. So if you're looking to go professional, it's best to pick a bat that adheres to the limits set by the governing body of the particular league you're hoping to enter.
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