To Jump 4oz or Not?

[kimbercarry]

Looking for some thoughts and opinions on jumping my 12 year old from 31/22 (Easton Rival) bat he used all summer to 31/26 for fall. Size wise he's 5' 9", 126lbs. He's moving into 13-14 league and I have debated all summer what to do. My whole goal is to prepare him for highschool which is still a few years away. I'm not sure what the right call is here. Will I hurt him trying to move him upm(4oz) so much so qucikly? Am I better off leaving him at 31/22 for fall and try to make the move next year? Should I not jump him as much in weight at all this fall or next spring? Any advise would be greatful. I don't want to make the wrong decesion one way or the other.

[Standballdad]

Looking for some thoughts and opinions on jumping my 12 year old from 31/22 (Easton Rival) bat he used all summer to 31/26 for fall. Size wise he's 5' 9", 126lbs. He's moving into 13-14 league and I have debated all summer what to do. My whole goal is to prepare him for highschool which is still a few years away. I'm not sure what the right call is here. Will I hurt him trying to move him upm(4oz) so much so qucikly? Am I better off leaving him at 31/22 for fall and try to make the move next year? Should I not jump him as much in weight at all this fall or next spring? Any advise would be greatful. I don't want to make the wrong decesion one way or the other.

He seems to be big enough to swing the -5, I would switch. It will make the transition to a -3 easier.

[0-rain]

Only way to find out is for him to try it. Buy a cheap -5 on ebay or Play it Again Sports. See how he does and go from there.

[Bolts-Baseball]

What are you worried about...?

He needs to move to heavier bat. This is a perfect opportunity to transition to "real" baseball...

Remember... You're GROWING a player for age 14 and beyond... Not for the 'now'...

Good luck!

[kimbercarry]

My main worry is creating an issue in his swing. I've read a lot on this forum and others about how a bat that is too heavy can lead to bat lag/drag because of over compensating for the heavie bat. Just don't want to set him back.

What are you worried about...?

He needs to move to heavier bat. This is a perfect opportunity to transition to "real" baseball...

Remember... You're GROWING a player for age 14 and beyond... Not for the 'now'...

Good luck!

[Swing Coach]

My now 13 year (5'7) 115 lb used a -10 at age 12. And used a -5 this past summer at age 13. He was a better hitter with the heavier bat. He also dabbled with a -3 and did fine with it. I worried about it too, but keep in mind the heavier bat should not change the kid's swing. Instead he will just have to klearn to start a bit sooner...that is the key. He said he has a better "feel " of his swing with the heavier bat.

SC

[NoonTime]

Sent you a PM Kimbercarry

[tg643]

If your son is 5'9", 126 he should go right to a -3 bat. My son went from -10 to -3 right away. He was 5'2, 110 in 7th grade. You're concerned about him swinging to heavy of a bat? He going to have to eventually. Swinging a bat that's too light can cause problems too.

[ralanprod]

My son was probably 5'2 and 120 lbs when he went from a -10 to a -5 for his 13U spring season. He needed a new usssa approved bat, and I didn't think investing in a lighter bat made much sense.

He's grown about three inches and put on about 15 lbs of muscle since that purchase. Now he swings it like a toothpick. I'm probably going to bite the bullet and get him a -3 soon.

[0-rain]

I like to gradually increase bat size yearly.

My son used a -12 at 9 yrs old, -10 at 10.

He'll use a -9 at 11, -8 at 12, -5 at 13 and -3 for high school. The 3oz from 12-13, he should hit puberty by then so it should be fine.

[Coach C]

In the same boat, my son's the same age but not as big. Fall ball he definatly has to be swinging a -5.

[kimbercarry]

Coach C,
Does he play Little League or Pony. We are Pony. Pitching distance goes to 54ft from 48 in Bronco. Do Little League organizations still go to 13 thru 15 age with a distance of 60' 6"

In the same boat, my son's the same age but not as big. Fall ball he definatly has to be swinging a -5.

[Coach C]

Moving up from Bronco to Pony, (54' pitching) don't know about LL. I'll see if he can do a -3 for spring the sooner the better IMO

[chucker66]

All of my 14U swing -3. Either 33 30 or 32 29. You would be suprised how quickly they adjust. Some bats are end loaded so the balanced bats liek the 5150 were easier and the more popular choice fo my boys.

[kimbercarry]

Chucker,
The one we are looking at is the Easton Power Brigade XL3. My understanding is it's the same as the Rival model he's been swinging for the past 3 years. Any of your kids use this one?

All of my 14U swing -3. Either 33 30 or 32 29. You would be suprised how quickly they adjust. Some bats are end loaded so the balanced bats liek the 5150 were easier and the more popular choice fo my boys.

[chucker66]

I had one kid use the Easton Rival but we did not have a Power Brigade. Most of the kids like the Rawlings 5150 33 30. It is a very balanced bat. I also have a couple kids swinging the Marucci 33 30 team bat. That one is more end loaded. I was real concerned when the Babe Ruth League we were in wanted to use all -3 bats becasue we had some younger High School kids and that was what the state requires. They really adjusted well. They learn to start that coil a little earilier and get into the plane better I think. Besides these boys are gong to be Freshman so they might as well get used to it.

[Swing Coach]

I love all these 13 and 14 year olds who swing a 33/30... The same size bat the majority of college players swing. 14 year olds on my team this past year stuck their noses in the air when I suggested they go down to a 31 or 32 inch bat. Kinda crazy.

SC

[tg643]

I love all these 13 and 14 year olds who swing a 33/30... The same size bat the majority of college players swing. 14 year olds on my team this past year stuck their noses in the air when I suggested they go down to a 31 or 32 inch bat. Kinda crazy.

SC

My son used a 32/29 all through high school and travel. Once he had filled out some, junior year (6'1", 170) he felt lightning quick with the bat. He saw a lot of 80-85 in high school and all 87-92 in travel. Quickness was important. He didn't move to a 33/30 until college (6'2", 190).

[Baseball gLove]

My 12 year old was swinging a 29-19.5 as a 7 & 8 year old. This year he has been swinging a 32-27 and 31-28 both Eastons

[phillyinnj]

Looking for some thoughts and opinions on jumping my 12 year old from 31/22 (Easton Rival) bat he used all summer to 31/26 for fall. Size wise he's 5' 9", 126lbs. He's moving into 13-14 league and I have debated all summer what to do. My whole goal is to prepare him for highschool which is still a few years away. I'm not sure what the right call is here. Will I hurt him trying to move him upm(4oz) so much so qucikly? Am I better off leaving him at 31/22 for fall and try to make the move next year? Should I not jump him as much in weight at all this fall or next spring? Any advise would be greatful. I don't want to make the wrong decesion one way or the other.

Give him the -5...my son loves hitting with the -5 and he just turned 12 last month. Playing on 60/90 helps ease the transitions (he is making the full move up to 13U), but it hasn't changed his swing at all (5'4" 110).

[kimbercarry]

I want to thank everyone for their opinions and input. I decided to bite the bullet and make a purchase of the -5. Will have it tomorrow in time for practice Saturday. We will see how it works out.

[NoonTime]

I want to thank everyone for their opinions and input. I decided to bite the bullet and make a purchase of the -5. Will have it tomorrow in time for practice Saturday. We will see how it works out.

Which one? What length did you go with?

[tradosaurus]

I want to thank everyone for their opinions and input. I decided to bite the bullet and make a purchase of the -5. Will have it tomorrow in time for practice Saturday. We will see how it works out.

Just keep the older lighter bat just in case you face a pitcher throwing some heat.

[lancers]

5' 9", 126lbs is more than enough to handle drop 3 bat. You should at least let him swing it in BP. My son started using drop 3 bat(31/28) before turning 12 at 4'11" 87lbs.

[kimbercarry]

Easton XL3 31/26. From what I can see it's the Rival he's used the last few years. Easton just painted it different and renamed it. I kicked around the 32 inch. I have a 32 inch bat not quite as heavy and he didn't care for the feel so I'm sticking with the 31 and plan to move to the 32 when he's 14. He'll be 13 in a few months.

Which one? What length did you go with?