Bat suggestions for 17 yr old, 32/22

[mj1569]

My rule of thumb on the proper bat length is to have her standing up and place the bat next to her side with the end cap resting on the ground. The proper length bat should have the knob coming up to about the height of her wrist. She should be able to swing that bat length comfortably

 

[Mom_Coach_Fan]

My DD is 13 years old and all of 5 feet tall with her cleats on. She swings a 32/22 drop 10 and has for over a year. She currently swings an LXT.

 

[vdubya]

Thanks for the suggestions. She'll finish out the last 3 weeks of travel with her current bat, then she'll make the switch to a 32/22.

NoGolf, 32/22 is a very very appropriate size for the height/weight of your DD. Good luck!

 

[masterblaster22]

Not meaning to hijack. I've been debating on moving up from 32" to 33". DD is 14 5'5 130. Coach says 32". Instructor says 33". More of a contact, hard line drive, up the middle/ oppo field hitter.

 

[ScottyDont]

Half of my 12U team swings a 32" or longer bat. My 12U DD is 5'2" 120 pounds and swings a 32/23 LXT. I have another girl (4 hitter) swinging a 33/24 FX2. Riseball is correct, you won't see a 32 in an 18U or older dugout.

 

[vdubya]

Not meaning to hijack. I've been debating on moving up from 32" to 33". DD is 14 5'5 130. Coach says 32". Instructor says 33". More of a contact, hard line drive, up the middle/ oppo field hitter.

MB,
With your DD's specs, 32/23 may be a great fit. 33/23 might be fine as well. Kids generally handle an extra ounce or 2 better than they handle an extra inch of length. An ounce won't slow down the swing speed, but an inch too long most often affects bat control.

This link to a bat size guide shows one chart that is based on height and weight. I have found it to be very much spot on, and correlates quite well with the 'wrist bone' test for length, (players with major physiologilal anomalies excluded).

Softball Bat Buyers Guide - Dick's Sporting Goods

I just prefer to consider the player's specs when choosing a bat size instead of age. Most of such-and-such team wears a size 10.5 shoe, while a few wear a 9.5. If your DD's foot is a size 7 I wouldn't put her in a 9.5 just because many players her age wear that size.

Good luck!

 

[MsDinosaur]

for someone about to turn 18 a 32" is a t-ball bat. You will be hard pressed to find one in a college dugout. Step up to a 33" or 34". I have girls smaller than her that can handle them.

Yep, my 15 yr old is 5'5" and she swings a 33". She's a lot stockier than your DD, so it's a drop 9. Her 2nd year 14U team is basically a mix of 33" and 34" in a variety of drops. I'm not sure any of the girls on the team swing anything shorter than a 33".

I've also heard of another bat-length test: holding your arm and bat straight out to the side, place the knob of the bat at the center of your chest (on sternum). The fingers on your arm should reach the end of the bat and/or be able to curl over up to the first joint. Being able to curl over more means it's too short. Not being able to reach the end means it's too long.

 

[Havoc]

My Daughter is 16 will be 17 in October. She is 5'7" and she swings a 34 24 but she is a slapper!

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