what size wood?

[randy]

My son is 12 1/2 and is a pretty good hitter. He has used wood some, but needs to start using it more as he is getting older and stronger. I have a cheap off-the-rack LS that is the same length as his metal. My question is: Should he maybe use 1 inch shorter, due to the weight and balance(end-load) differences?

[Baseball gLove]

My son is 12 1/2 and is a pretty good hitter. He has used wood some, but needs to start using it more as he is getting older and stronger. I have a cheap off-the-rack LS that is the same length as his metal. My question is: Should he maybe use 1 inch shorter, due to the weight and balance(end-load) differences?

It should be the same length. Tape the handle or you will be buying a lot of bats. Also give the barrel a single wrap of athletic tape so you guys can track his contact with the wood and change it for each session. The wood feels really nice when you make good contact. You will find his contact patch on the wood (and his aluminum) will shrink. My son was swinging a 31-27 wood when he was your son's age. I hear a lot of complements on his hand speed and form.

[Breeves85]

It should be the same length. Tape the handle or you will be buying a lot of bats. Also give the barrel a single wrap of athletic tape so you guys can track his contact with the wood and change it for each session. The wood feels really nice when you make good contact. You will find his contact patch on the wood (and his aluminum) will shrink. My son was swinging a 31-27 wood when he was your son's age. I hear a lot of complements on his hand speed and form.

I agree with this and would like to add that picking the model is just as important. The C271 would probably be the most balanced and easiest to use for him.

[aj9020]

Randy I think that you shoud go with a bat 1" smaller than the aluminum. When he is succesful, then start moving up. The 271 is a good model to start with.. Put leather wrap to give aluminum feel.

[randy]

C271 is a LS model number, correct? Should I get a stock, retail LS or order from one of the mfr's who do the lighter weights, like -4 or 5(like zinger or sambat or dbat)? Money is definitely an issue....

[Baseball gLove]

C271 is a LS model number, correct? Should I get a stock, retail LS or order from one of the mfr's who do the lighter weights, like -4 or 5(like zinger or sambat or dbat)? Money is definitely an issue....

The cheap bats you have been getting are -4 to -6 and are fine for the purpose. Spend the extra money when he is bigger and more proficient. Remember, wood bats do not have a warranty and can last as little as 1 swing. Do not use maple because they don't offer the same feedback that ash bats do. Again, I recommend that you use the same length as his aluminum bat.

[glovemedic]

C271 is a LS model number, correct? Should I get a stock, retail LS or order from one of the mfr's who do the lighter weights, like -4 or 5(like zinger or sambat or dbat)? Money is definitely an issue....

I would never buy a Sam bat. At $140 you can buy 3 or 4 D-Bats, or a couple of LS. The better quality Ash bats are every bit as functional as the really high end Maple bat. I have seen lots of grown men cry over broken Sam and X bats on Sunday afternoon.

[randy]

The only LS bats in youth sizes around here are the autograph models, like arod or jeter. Is that the model you were referring to?

[Baseball gLove]

The only LS bats in youth sizes around here are the autograph models, like arod or jeter. Is that the model you were referring to?

After snapping several X Bats, we didn't care about autographs on bats or about getting the best bats. We just made sure to get the same length as his aluminum game bat. We'd buy what ever was available Rawlings or LS.

[glovemedic]

The only LS bats in youth sizes around here are the autograph models, like arod or jeter. Is that the model you were referring to?

There is a C271 model available @ 29" in the Pro-Lite series. You can probably get it through BB Express. I also have a D-bat available in a -7 up to 30" in length.

[Baseball gLove]

We'd get the 30 inch LS & Rawlings at about $14-$16 each.