bat size for 12 yr old

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Oct 18, 2009
19
0
Gilroy, Ca
I am currently working with a 12U player who is not your typical 12 yr old. She is 5'9" and comes in at about 150 lbs. She is on a travel team and has made the local LL All-star team. I have been working with her hitting for about a month and making good progress. She was swinging a 31" 20 oz and making good contact and driving the ball. Well last week she shows up with a bat that mom and dad bought, composite one piece ....33" 24 ounzes! A club. She swings it but now drives everything into the ground with very little lift. I am going to tell parents this club is a little much for a 12 yr old no matter how strong she is....cowgirl who pulls and leads around a steer according to parents!! Question is should I go this route or let it go and let her grow into it like mom and dad want as well as her travel suggested?
 
May 25, 2010
1,070
0
Does strength translate directly into quickness?

I'd suggest something a little lighter...33/22 should be just about right. I'm opposed to overpaying for bats, but they should be able to find something in the $50 range that would bring her hitting back up to where it should be.
 
May 7, 2008
8,506
48
Tucson
I am her size, but a bit older. :) I swing a 32/22. But I am willing to bet that she is stronger than I am. It is my opinion that a 31 inch wasn't long enough for her.

That said, why did they change bats, if she was having success?

What specific bat is it?
 
Oct 18, 2009
19
0
Gilroy, Ca
thanks for the replies makes me think I am the right track. She was having success with a lighter bat 31/20 but mom and dad thought it "looked" small in her hands and she was using other girls bats. So they decided to get a bat. I had mentioned that she try a 32/21 or 22 (thats what I had in my hitting shed!). Its a Louisville Slugger composite paid $150! I watched a game last night and I have a friend who had video. She looks fine but as she comes thru you can see the barrel head start to drop. Again thanks for the reply and I gave this link to Mom and Dad....not sure who made the bat decission but Dad is big brute !!! haha
 
Jul 21, 2009
127
0
I got my 1st year 12U DD a 34/24 for Christmas. She had problems hitting during the middle school season, but during her Rec & travel ball season she's making contact and hitting it to the SS/2nd base area (she's putting line drives to the outfield during BP).
 
Jan 23, 2010
802
0
VA, USA
That bat seems huge for a twelve year old. I'm seventeen and I know I couldn't even swing that. That's what my hitting instructor uses and she plays D1 college ball!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,477
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top