bat length discussion

vdubya · Sep 18, 2010

Lots of wisdom here and I hope a few can address this from a hitting perspective. It is generally accepted that one should swing the heaviest wt bat that does not slow down the swing. Now, once that weight is established, how exactly does length affect both the swing AND the hitting?

Say a kid can swing a 20 oz bat as fast as an 18 oz, but the bat speed slows or mechanics alter at 21 oz. Now that weight is established at 20 oz, there are choices in length. The most popular is the balanced 30/20, but a 31/20 or 32/20 is also an option. Logic says that the 32" length has a longer barrel with more 'sweet' to it plus more length/reach, but the balance would be different than a 30/20.

So, with respect to the swing and hitting, what differences should one expect out of a longer bat of the same weight? Or approach it this way: if a kid can swing 20 oz, why shouldn't she swing the longer 20 oz bat? Why is the 30/20 more popular than the 32/20? Let's assume we want what everybody else does...both power and average!

I'm more interested in the actual technical answer here rather than the 'whatever feels better' jargon. *Why* one would feel better over the other may be helpful though.

Thanks,
VW

Dragoncoach · Sep 18, 2010

I do not have a technical answer, but IMO lighter=faster, more bat control, and easier to maintain good mechanics.

Amy in AZ. · Sep 18, 2010

Here is more than you will ever want to know. Myself, I go with a shorter heavier bat, unless the girl is a tiny beginner.

Bat Weight vs. Bat Speed - OFC - Ohio Fastpitch Connection

lhowser · Sep 18, 2010

In my limited experience the kids with the big drops (-11,-12,-13) have not been the most effective hitters at any age level that I've seen. Apparently something about their mechanics makes dad or mom feel that bat weight is the issue when it may tie into mechanics. Best hitting seems to come from the -10 and -9 crowd from what I've experienced. How does length tie into all of that. I would swing the longest one I could as well. Every inch counts reaching that outside corner. Especially when a kid in 9 - 11 and already short.

SBFAMILY · Sep 21, 2010

Depends on what kind of hitter you are dealing with. Slapper wants length.

vdubya · Sep 22, 2010

SBFAMILY said:
Depends on what kind of hitter you are dealing with. Slapper wants length.

Ok, but why wouldn't a non-slapper want length as well? Let's see...reach the outside pitches easier, longer-sweeter barrel...wouldn't ANY hitter (not just a slapper) benefit from that?

I think I generally get it with regard to weight, physics of it, lighter vs heavier. There is a load of info online regarding weight/physics. However, logic tells me that a 32/20 weighs the same as a 31/20, a 30/20, and for that matter it weighs the same as a 20 oz bag of feathers. The three bats weigh the same but are different LENGTHS. Weights being the same, wouldn't the longer bat with a longer barrel afford the hitter a wider left-to-right sweet range.

If HC's 'big zone' is basically back to front in measurement, I am picturing a similar left to right (of the plate) zone, or a horizontal sweet zone where a longer barrel/sweetspot sounds like a plus. Still searching for why or why not with regard to lengths once optimal weight is established.

If considering three different 20 oz bats of differing lengths like those above, what are the merits or perils of going longer or shorter while keeping the weight the same for bat speed?

Thanks all!
VW

Amy in AZ. · Sep 22, 2010

The longer lever would produce more resistance, I believe. (I should have paid more attention in physics)

iirc, hitting a ball with a bat is defined as a class C lever and is the same category as a shovel. I wouldn't necessarily go with a longer shovel.

Greenmonsters · Sep 22, 2010

VW - Your premise re being able to maintain the same bat speed with a constant weight bat of varying lengths is faulty. Exaggerating to make the point, you clearly wouldn't be able to swing a 10-foot long 20 oz bat as fast as you could swing a 1-foot long 20 oz bat (this is why figure skaters pull their arms in closer to their body to spin faster).

Additionally, not all bats have the weight distributed throughout the bat in the same manner (e.g., end-loaded v. balanced), which affects center or mass and moment of inertia, which affect how the bat feels/swings and, utlimately, swing speed. This is why some bats are offered in multiple drops for the same length (i.e., DeMarini CF3 comes in -8, -9, and -10 drops). And, on top of that, not all 20 oz (or pick any weight) bats actually weight the same, even identical models from the same manufacturer. So....I think you need to settle on the weight/length combination where you can achieve your near maximum swing speed without sacrificing technique. If, like many of us, you don't have access to a bat speed measuring device to quantify swing speed, you can get qualitative results by hitting off a tee and measuring the average hit distance using different bats - of course all the other variables need to be be constant (same balls, temperature, wind, hitter fatigue, etc). IMO, selecting a bat is an individualized trial and error process. But the good news is that, ultimately, performance comes down to the archer, not the arrow! Oh, and if DD doesn't like the grip, feel, name, graphics, color etc., the best bat in the world won't work for her!

Glad to have helped (muddy the waters further) - GM

vdubya · Sep 22, 2010

Ding-ding-ding

Now we're on topic, thank you! Thanks for weighing in on this! VW

Country Boy · Sep 22, 2010

Greenmonsters said:
VW - Your premise re being able to maintain the same bat speed with a constant weight bat of varying lengths is faulty. Exaggerating to make the point, you clearly wouldn't be able to swing a 10-foot long 20 oz bat as fast as you could swing a 1-foot long 20 oz bat (this is why figure skaters pull their arms in closer to their body to spin faster).

Additionally, not all bats have the weight distributed throughout the bat in the same manner (e.g., end-loaded v. balanced), which affects center or mass and moment of inertia, which affect how the bat feels/swings and, utlimately, swing speed. This is why some bats are offered in multiple drops for the same length (i.e., DeMarini CF3 comes in -8, -9, and -10 drops). And, on top of that, not all 20 oz (or pick any weight) bats actually weight the same, even identical models from the same manufacturer. So....I think you need to settle on the weight/length combination where you can achieve your near maximum swing speed without sacrificing technique. If, like many of us, you don't have access to a bat speed measuring device to quantify swing speed, you can get qualitative results by hitting off a tee and measuring the average hit distance using different bats - of course all the other variables need to be be constant (same balls, temperature, wind, hitter fatigue, etc). IMO, selecting a bat is an individualized trial and error process. But the good news is that, ultimately, performance comes down to the archer, not the arrow! Oh, and if DD doesn't like the grip, feel, name, graphics, color etc., the best bat in the world won't work for her!

Glad to have helped (muddy the waters further) - GM

Finally someone got to what is important about selecting a bat- color and graphics

bat length discussion

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vdubya

Dragoncoach

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vdubya

Amy in AZ.

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Wannabe Duck Boat Owner

vdubya

Country Boy

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