Using a bigger bat?

[Tigersense]

My 8 year old son is using a bat that I got him based on one of those size guides that you find on the internet. It is a 28 inch, 16 oz. Thing is, all the other kids use a little longer and heavier bigger bats. Even the smaller kids.

I want to ignore that and have him use what is supposedly his proper size bat, but he is bugging me to let him use one of the bigger bats. In addition, he does mostly pull the ball between 3rd and short.

Should I just say "go ahead and try a bigger bat during practice". Or should I have him stick with what he is using, telling him that his current bat is getting the job done just fine?

[wogdoggy]

My 8 year old son is using a bat that I got him based on one of those size guides that you find on the internet. It is a 28 inch, 16 oz. Thing is, all the other kids use a little longer and heavier bigger bats. Even the smaller kids.

I want to ignore that and have him use what is supposedly his proper size bat, but he is bugging me to let him use one of the bigger bats. In addition, he does mostly pull the ball between 3rd and short.

Should I just say "go ahead and try a bigger bat during practice". Or should I have him stick with what he is using, telling him that his current bat is getting the job done just fine?

unless hes a gorilla that bat size is fine.dont overemphasize bats

[Jake Patterson]

There are plenty of threads here that talk about bat size. Do a search of for "bat size."

[CoachHenry]

Maybe it's different in different places but my son didn't use a 28 inch bat until he was around 11yrs old, maybe a bit older (but I think he was 11yrs old). And as far as him hitting it between 3rd and short, it depends on how he is getting it there. At 8 yrs old I would say he's playing coach pitch? Is he swinging sharply from his starting position or is he more meeting the ball out front to place it there?

[Tigersense]

He's in a kids pitch league, ages 7-10. He swings pretty well, uses his hips and bringing the top hand over. He usually skips it into the outfield, the ball's first bounce just past the pitchers mound. I have no problem with his hitting even though he rarely gets it to the grass in the air. His power will come. He thinks he would hit it harder and further using a 30-31 inch bat like the other boys. Maybe he would but I think he is doing just fine for an 8 year old. Now his ability to catch, well that's another thing.

[LAball]

9 and 10 year olds on our team use a 28, drop 9. Largest is 30 drop 8.5. Most should use the 28 drop 9, unless the're big and have a good swing do they use our 30 incher.

Your 28 drop 12 is a good size for the 8 year old.

[hawkiirock]

yeah i would agree that 8-9 can be around 28-18. 10 year olds 30-20.


Our 12 year old team has most kids using 31-21. Some still 30-20 and 1 might use 32-22


The 28-18 seems to be great for that 9 year old group of younger brothers

[Swing Coach]

TIger,

the choice is yours,,,,,tell your kid his is keeping the bat because it is the right size (which it is), or just let him go along an do what everybody else does, even if it is not to his benefit.