Yeah, I know there are a few 8 yo's that can give Lauren Chamberlain a run for the money in a HR derby, but if you spend more than a couple hundred dollars on a bat for an 8U, you are insane. Even then, that's a ridiculous amount of money for something that will be useless next season. I see lots of good deals on closeouts in the smaller sizes, and ebay is a great place to buy used bats. Regardless of age, buy the bat that fits your DD's swing. The correct size, weight, and balance is far more important than the brand name.