Question about bat size

Is a 21oz 31" bat too big for an average size 9year old?
I am thinking about buying the purple/white Easton stealth

It depends on the nine year old. Is she making contact with the ball now? Is she an "elite" player? Is there anyone that has a bat similar to size that she could borrow to see if she likes the feel for it.

Also, that's a lot of money for a bat that a nine year old will likely out grow. Many on this forum would rather see the money spent on hitting lessons. At that age, I don't see where composite bats have that much of an impact. However, if you do buy her a pricey bat keep in mind that you could probably sell it when she outgrows it to someone else.

Is a 21oz 31" bat too big for an average size 9year old?

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Probably. And I don't advocate choking up. I like bats that fit the player.

Typically I recommend that if you stand her up straight, and stand the bat right next to her, that the knob be just above the wrist bone. Of course everyone's body shape is different so it has to be altered for shorter legs, longer torso or vica versa.

I do recommend ligther bats like the -10,-11 for younger girls who usually haven't developed muscles or technique to hit the faster pitchers. Once they catch up through technique and strength, I like them to use -8,-9.

That sure is a pretty bat to look at, and its so well balanced. She should love it.

Best of luck.

If it helps for a size comparison - my daughter is 13, 5'1" and 105 lbs. She's a former competitve gymnast and has above average upper body strength. She moved to a 31/21 CF4 this year. Loves it.

lol

I don't know much about much, but I do know that an average-sized 9yo doesn't need a 21oz bat.

She's going to get the same results from the $20 Easton and you won't care as much if it gets lost or stolen.

i would go with a 19oz at the most

I recently bought my average height, slightly stocky 10 year old a 30/20 bat. I was worried at first that it would be too much. It wasn't, but I'm pretty sure a 31/21 would be. (Last year when she was 9, she was fine with her old 27/17, but she has grown a lot since then.) I'd save the money now and get her the better bat after she grows a little more, or spend the money on batting lessons or a pitching machine. I recently got a used Atec power streak for about $200 on eBay. I think the extra batting practice in our yard with the foam balls is going to do more for her at this age than if I'd spent the $200 on a bat. JMHO.

Remember, it's not the bat, it's the batter. I wouldn't spend over $100 on a bat for a kid under 12 (but I don't have elite players) My oldest DD is 15 and a helluva hitter and she uses a $55 bat (DiMarini 375). She also has a $300 CF3, but she hits better with the 375. For a long time she had great success with a (then) $25 Easton Cyclone - a lot of bat for the money.

There are bat sizing charts on the internet that will get you close to what you can try.
She should try swinging bats of different sizes (that are close) to see what feels best.

I've seen girls who's parents bought them a new bat and they refuse to use any other bat -even though theirs is 4" too long or 2 oz too heavy.

If a bat is too long, they can't swing it as quickly - like swinging a rake.

My 10 yo is 4'-9" and I think weighs less than 80. in her bag she has a 28, 29/21 and a 30/19. she uses a different bat depending on what feels good that day. Back in March, she got better batspeed with the 29/21 than with the 30/19. now they're close and I don't know if there's a difference.

All that said, it's time to have a close look at how she's swinging/hitting and see if we need a new bat

It seems a lot of 10u-and-under rec dads want to brag about how much their daughters' bats cost, but at the risk of sounding mean, it's my opinion in many cases that the money might've been better spent on hitting instruction.

My slightly taller- and stronger-than-average 7yo has the Easton el cheapo 27/17 and was the best hitter in her 8u rec division (admittedly we're a weak league, but she'd be a good hitter anywhere). She also has a 29/18 ($40 Louisville Slugger) that is noticeably slower. We may try a 28/17 this fall, but that would just be another $20.

When she graduates from rec ball in a couple of years(?), maybe we'll take a look at the higher grade equipment.