Wooden Bat

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May 12, 2014
833
28
How are wooden bats sized? DD wants to use them during tee work, etc (hitting coach mentioned it). Are they 33 drop 10, 9, etc? DD is moving to a 33/23 fastpitch bat this winter.
 
Feb 16, 2015
933
43
South East
How are wooden bats sized? DD wants to use them during tee work, etc (hitting coach mentioned it). Are they 33 drop 10, 9, etc? DD is moving to a 33/23 fastpitch bat this winter.

Wooden bats are typically -3. They do make some that or up to -6 I believe but they typically are labeled as no heavier than -3. They work the same way as any other bat as for being end loaded or balanced most are typically end loaded. Last week I was at Academy sports store and played around with the most balanced wooden bat I have ever picked up felt almost weight less. I should have bought it because I have also been tossing around the idea of using wood for practice. I currently have a Demarini Corn Dog which is a wooden barrel and a composite handle but is crazy end loaded. Like anything else go to a sports store and find one that feels good to your DD.
 

redhotcoach

Out on good behavior
May 8, 2009
4,706
38
Phoenix bats makes a bat designed for girl's to practice with. It's -8 and has a small sweet spot. I think it's less than $100. We use a worth wood slowpitch bat. I think it's 34/28.
 

JustBats

Baseball & Softball Bats
Nov 10, 2016
25
0
Kansas City, MO
Both DRDRODD and redhotcoach have great suggestions. A wood slowpitch softball bat is a great idea. They are either 33 or 34 inches in length and weigh right around 28 ounces. A youth wood bat would be another great option to consider. They will feature a 2 1/4" barrel diameter and can be found in weights as low as 24 ounces if that is what you're looking for.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
BB used a "drop 3" but we added tape to make it 33 inch and 33 oz. You need to ask yourself why you are using wood. For us, we used it to ensure that BB had to learn how to use her body to hit the ball. It seriously helped with "connection."
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Maddie has done BP work with a wood bat quite a few times. Her's is a cheap ($30-ish) 31/28, and she has been asking for a bigger one recently.
 
Dec 11, 2010
4,713
113
Was at an SEC camp last weekend. One station was self toss with wooden bats. They used wood to hit all the defense stations. The player that the coach used as an example for hitting is a wood bat fan and the coach talked about it.

Asked dd what kind of bats they were. She said "I don't know what they were but they were really nice"
 

ian

Jun 11, 2015
1,175
48
Why is a wooden bat a great idea for tee work?

I think wood bats are good for tee work for a few reasons.
Wood bats have a distinct feel and sound. Wood bats are much less forgiving since they have a smaller sweet spot. Wood bats are a little heavier.

Players will have to focus and concentrate to hit the smaller sweet spot on wood bats. When they do hit that sweet spot they will be rewarded with a great feel and sound. That great feel and sound is amplified with bat speed. So, when a player uses the mechanics that create higher bat speeds they will hear the 'crack' of the bat, feel that great feel and see the ball travel further.

While working to get all the great feels and sounds of wood bats, the slightly heavier bat will help them build strength.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I think wood bats are good for tee work for a few reasons.
Wood bats have a distinct feel and sound. Wood bats are much less forgiving since they have a smaller sweet spot. Wood bats are a little heavier.

Players will have to focus and concentrate to hit the smaller sweet spot on wood bats. When they do hit that sweet spot they will be rewarded with a great feel and sound. That great feel and sound is amplified with bat speed. So, when a player uses the mechanics that create higher bat speeds they will hear the 'crack' of the bat, feel that great feel and see the ball travel further.

While working to get all the great feels and sounds of wood bats, the slightly heavier bat will help them build strength.

Yes, but...

...Keep close watch that the hitter's mechanics stay intact. The additional weight results in significantly increased centrifugal forces, which can result in a very different - very incorrect - swing pattern. This is especially true with younger/weaker players.
 

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