Is her bat too light?

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May 12, 2016
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I asked my DD to take a few pratice swings of the tee with a heavier bat just for training purposes. She was crushing the ball and her swing looked more natural and smooth. She went back to her game bat and wasn't squaring the ball as much.

Based on these results I asked her to take a few swings using the heavier bat in a front toss set up.. still she was absolutely crushing the ball and hitting to all fields which has been a problem with her normal bat, she tends to roll her wrist and get under the ball on the outside corner. With the heavier bat she seemed to extend much better. I am starting to wonder if her game bat is too light..here are the bat sizes.

DD 5'3", 115 lbs, 13 years old - small in stature but very strong. Coach says she has great bat speed and tons of power. She throws the ball hardest on the team as well.

Game Bat:CF9 31/21
Back up: 2015 Xeno 32/21
Practice Bat: CF7 32/22

Both the Xeno and CF7 she was crushing the ball. But the edge goes to the Cf7. Hitting hard to all fields and still quick enough to turn on the inside pitch. The bat sounded like a tree branch breaking when she was making contact. Her swing looked smoother, extension was good, and bat speed was not compromised. She was also hitting more line drives with the heavier bat which I thought was strange because she was getting under the ball with her lighter bat. I am wondering if using the heavier bat forces her to use the bigger muscles in her body more naturally, resulting in a more powerful smooth swing? I am thinking my kids game bat is too light.

Now the problem is trying to get her to switch to her older sisters hand me down..lol, she wants to use her lighter game bat, can you say stubborn.
 
Apr 16, 2013
1,113
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Sounds very much to me like she's ready to move up more. I don't think it's the weight as much as the extra inch. Just talk to her and point out how much harder she was hitting the ball.
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
Sounds very much to me like she's ready to move up more. I don't think it's the weight as much as the extra inch. Just talk to her and point out how much harder she was hitting the ball.

I agree with the length vs weight.. that's my belief as well
 
May 20, 2015
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that Xeno if i am not mistaken is more like a -9 or even heavier......while both CF's tended to run fairly true, I think? (too lazy to look up haha)
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
that Xeno if i am not mistaken is more like a -9 or even heavier......while both CF's tended to run fairly true, I think? (too lazy to look up haha)

According to Eric's DB the Xeno on avg is a little heavier, but nothing significant

CF9 31/21...............................AW 21.3 oz

CF7 Hope 32/22.......................AW 21.9 - 22.2 oz

Xeno 32/21 (2015)....................AW 22.0 - 22.8 oz

She told me that the Xeno felt more top heavy. I heard a rumour that the CF7 was not a great line of bats for Demarini
 
Last edited:

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
According to Eric's DB the Xeno on avg is a little heavier, but nothing significant

CF9 31/21...............................AW 21.3 oz

CF7 Hope 32/22.......................AW 21.9 - 22.2 oz

Xeno 32/21 (2015)....................AW 22.0 - 22.8 oz

She told me that the Xeno felt more top heavy. I heard a rumour that the CF7 was not a great line of bats for Demarini

My DD has a 33/22 Xeno that actually weighs 23.6 ounces. She also has a 33/23 LXT that weighs 23.5 ounces.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Based on the size of your DD, I would definitely recommend moving up to a 32. I know kids often like to stay with what they're familiar with, but if it's costing them performance, it's not the best choice. Try to get to pay attention to the improvement in results, if you can, and maybe that will help.

The idea of new tape is a good plan for a hand-me-down.
 
May 12, 2016
4,338
113
Based on the size of your DD, I would definitely recommend moving up to a 32. I know kids often like to stay with what they're familiar with, but if it's costing them performance, it's not the best choice. Try to get to pay attention to the improvement in results, if you can, and maybe that will help.

The idea of new tape is a good plan for a hand-me-down.

Thanks Eric, and thanks for the bat weight DB, always helpful. I contemplated getting her a new bat, but seems to be plenty of pop left in this one. I'm thinking it's going to break soon because it seems to be on a whole different level right now, hotter than ever.
 

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