Baseball Eagle is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Finding the best youth baseball bats goes a long way in making it easy for you to enjoy playing the sport. This is because bats enhance the different playing experiences.
When shopping, there are several factors you should consider when choosing youth baseball bats. For starters, it is worth considering the construction of the bat (material), length, barrel size, and handling grip among other factors. This is so that you settle on the best youth baseball bats that are right for you and has a great playing experience.
Category
- BEST YOUTH BASEBALL BATS 2023
- Easton (USA) Baseball 2 5/8 Ghost (X) Hyperlite
- Louisville Slugger Youth (125 Maple Genuine) Unfinished
- Marucci Cat 6 (BBCOR)
- Easton S50 (Youth)
- Easton USA Baseball 2 ¼†Beast (X) Hyperlite
- Easton (S550)
- Louisville Slugger YBAR152 Youth
- Easton MAKO TORQ (Youth)
- Combat Youth Maxum Senior League
- Easton BB17MK Mako Beast Comp 3
- BUYER’S GUIDE: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT YOUTH BASEBALL BATS?
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- In Summary: Which Good Youth Baseball Bat Should You Choose?
COMPARISON TABLE
| Product Names | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Youth Maxum Senior League | [usr 5.0] |  |
| Easton S550 | [usr 4.6] | |
| Marucci Cat 6 (Amazon's Choice) | [usr 4.6] | |
| Louisville Slugger YBAR152 | [usr 4.3] | |
| Louisville Slugger Youth 125 | [usr 4.1] | |
| Easton 2018 USA Ghost X | [usr 3.4] | |
| Easton 2018 USA Beast X | [usr 3.3] | |
BEST YOUTH BASEBALL BATS 2023
Easton (USA) Baseball 2 5/8 Ghost (X) Hyperlite
The Easton 2018 Ghost X is a classic model that comes with a -11 drop and a massive sweet spot. This bat for use in youth leagues is designed and made using modern technology and stylish one-piece construction. Easton is well-known for designing with extra-long barrels and true to its reputation this Ghost X Hyperlite has a characteristic barrel that gives players added bat control. As far as you are looking for a functional and easy to handle bat for a youthful player, you cannot go wrong with Easton Hyperlite Youth Bat and makes the top of our list of the best youth baseball bats.
Technical and powerful
A bat provides players with a seamless performance that guarantees to improve your batting average. The enhanced adaptability makes it possible to use for all seasons (both cold and hot seasons) with its technical and functional features not being affected in any way. The extended barrel design provides players with a more powerful sweet spot that makes using the product an all exciting and fun activity. Since the product is fairly lightweight, you can use it for long sessions of play without straining your hands or be becoming excessively tired.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Enhanced control and feel | Primarily designed for use by youthful players only |
Louisville Slugger Youth (125 Maple Genuine) Unfinished
Built from unique maple wood, this Louisville Slugger Youth Bat boasts of having an exceptional surface hardness that makes the model less prone to flaking. The most unique thing about this bat is the classic handle construction that enables players to have a firm and secure grip. This is why most youths prefer the bat to other bats in the market. The bat is made from a super-dense type of wood that enhances its strength and sturdiness. Additionally, the density also makes it possible for the barrel to produce a unique pop sound when it comes into contact with the ball.
Excellent performance and all-weather use
This Model is a perfect choice for people who live in places with extreme weather. This is because the bat can be used in all weathers since it does not dent or crack when used in cold weather. The model exhibits a unique performance due to its good weight, length and drops that ensure that the bat is easy and comfortable to swing in balanced swings. What is classier about the product is that it is ready to use an out-of-the-box as it does not require any break-in time.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Sufficiently dense bat hence ideal for power hitters. | The product cracks when it hits hard surfaces |
Marucci Cat 6 (BBCOR)
BBCOR certified Cat 6  from Marucci is a one-piece alloy bat that is exclusively designed for use by youthful players. The bat features a big-league defined profile that provides a smoother swing and feel. The one-piece construction provides a traditional feel coupled with proven performance and extended durability. What is unique about the product is that it has a massive 2 5/8†barrel that not only provides for a bigger sweet spot but also enhances maximum performance. The ball-end thickness is optimized for high swing speeds.
Patented anti-vibration technology
The best thing about using this Marucci Cat6 is that the patented vibration-free technology adopted in its handle eliminates vibrations and stings in the hands when hits the ball. The handle knob shapes are professionally inspired for enhanced control and balance. For an overall better grip and improved feel, the model features a micro-perforated (soft-touch) grip. Generally, this bat is designed for use in perfecting your playing skills including enhancing your batting average. You will certainly benefit greatly as far as honing your batting skills are concerned when using the Marucci Cat6.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Strongly built hence durable | Not ideal for use in cold weather |
Easton S50 (Youth)
The all-new Easton S50 bat is arguably one of the finely designed and developed youth bats in the market presently. The bat features modern technology that has made a force to reckon with in the youth bats sector. Some of the key highlights about the model include the elimination of stinging vibrations, thick barrel walls for better performance, comfortable swinging due to balanced weight, and extensive durability.
Perfect size and weight
The manufacturers of the Easton S50 have the stroke a perfect balance of the bats weight and size. As such, the bat becomes easy to swing and control for youthful players as young as 10 years. In addition to this, the model has a 2 ¼†barrel that provides a sufficient hitting surface for inexperienced players. You can be assured to experience no stings and vibrations in the hands due to the grip cushioning on the bats handle.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Perfect weight and length balance | Fairly heavy for players under 10 years |
Easton USA Baseball 2 ¼†Beast (X) Hyperlite
With a -12 drop, this Easton USA Baseball bat features a massive 2 ¼†barrel and an amazing pop sound. The bat has a one-piece alloy design and hence it is not only durable but also easy to control particularly for youthful players. Like other bats, this high-end USA bat is no exception in terms of superior design, quality and performance. What is more unique about the one-piece construction adopted in the design of the product is that it provides for speedy swings. This all-powerful bat has an amazing pop sound that sets it apart from other youth bats.
Long aluminum barrel and brute strength
While most people have concerns about using new bats, this Easton bat has unique adaptability that makes it possible to use the bat right from the box. The -12 drop weight in the model enables players to have good control of the bat and hence enjoy a lively playing experience. The high-grade alloy in the product provides for its extended durability and sting dampening ability. For players who are fond of achieving high swing speeds, this bat is perfectly suited for wild pitch speeds and power hitting.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
-12 drop hence fairly light | Not ideal for use in cold weather |
Easton (S550)
If you are looking for an affordable high-end product for youth that is nicely crafted and constructed, then you should look no further than at Easton (S500) Youth Baseball Bat. This incredible model is made from top quality aircraft-grade aluminum which is a light but very strong material. As such, this light-weight swing bat is powerful and boasts of a well-balanced design. In addition to this, Easton has designed to present its users with both speed and power.
The most amazing aspect of this Easton Baseball Bat is that it is specially designed and crafted for fast swing speeds. Additionally, it has an all-sports grip thereby making it a favorite product for players who understand the importance of using the best youth baseball bat.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Exceptionally powerful and lightweight | Maybe too light for adult players |
Louisville Slugger YBAR152 Youth
Louisville Slugger is a reputable brand that is popular for its state-of-the-art bats. The YBAR 152 is a nicely balanced bat with a unique swing and is light-weight thereby making it a great choice for use by the youth. This well-constructed product has a significantly sweet spot and a solid construction thereby making it very long-lasting. The model is constructed using a performance 7050 alloy and has a 2 1/4†barrel for a perfect sweet spot.
When using this product, you can be guaranteed to enjoy a lively playing experience especially due to its 7/8†tapered handle. The tapered handle not only swings comfortably but is also quite easy to control. It is worth noting that the youth bats construction provides for perfect performance and durability.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Designed and built from a 7050 performance alloy | Dents easily when used in cold or wet weather |
Easton MAKO TORQ (Youth)
Easton MAKO TORQ youth Baseball Bat has unique characteristics that are unmatchable by other bats in its league. The highlight of this baseball bat is in its TCTATM (Thermo Composite Technology) that accounts for the bats unmatched speed as well as a great sweet spot. The 360A TorqATM handle in the baseball bat keeps the hands firmly secured for more power. The Thermo Composite Technology allows for maximum energy transfer thereby providing an optimized feel.
The fascinating thing about using this Easton MAKO TORQ is that it provides for the free rotation of the hands thereby allowing players to have a direct path towards hitting the ball. What is more unique about this baseball bat is that it has a perfect length-weight ratio that makes it a good product for use by youths and younger players.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Comes with a patented TORQ handle that | Takes time to break in |
Combat Youth Maxum Senior League
For quite a long time now, Combat has continually produced high-end youth baseball bats with unmatched performance and unique durability. In line with this spirit, the Combat Youth Maxum Senior League Bat prides itself on having an extremely amazing balanced swing weight combination. The sweet spot is 20-40% better and larger than that of most other products in the same league as this model. This provides its users with an added advantage over its opponents using other products.
The most fascinating aspect about this Combat bat for the youth is that its ultra-consistent design eliminates weak points and seams that interfere with perfect hits. This baseball bat is designed and uniquely built to last a lifetime with excellent and finely tuned performance throughout its life.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Ultra-premium grip | Cracks and breaks easily |
Easton BB17MK Mako Beast Comp 3
This USSSA bat has superior construction, and unmatched baseball bat speed, and an exceptional sweet spot; all of which are enhanced by the Thermo Composite Technology used in the construction. This USSSA-1.15 BPF certified comes with a 30/33†composite handle that has an incredible HYPERSKINATM grip. The barrel of the model measures an impressive 2 ¼†and is designed to provide a perfect hit on the ball.
These USSSA baseball bats are specially designed for use by pros and experts due to its great power and unique ball control capability. Players who use get to enjoy a perfect combination of an excellent weight-length ratio and a balanced design for accurate and well-calculated hits.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Designed for use by youthful players | Only one color design |
BUYER’S GUIDE: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT YOUTH BASEBALL BATS?
Buying a youth bat requires general knowledge of parents since the youth is different from adults. If you want your boys to have a good start, essential is a bat fit for him. Do not worry about it, below here well help make the entire process simpler.
The Length
To choose the right length, you should follow this guide:
- Kids: 24 to 29 inches
- Players from 5 ft to 5.5 ft: 30 to 32 inches
- Players from 5.5 ft to 6 ft: 33 inches
- Over 6 ft: 34 inches
Length number is usually right under the handle
Measurement Method: There are many ways to find a perfect length, below here is the way to determine whether or not it is the right size: To find the perfect length baseball bat for youth, you can simply put the bat right in the middle of your chest, spread your arm straight out to your side and point the bat straight to your left/right. The perfect baseball bat should meet the end of your index finger.
For another method, have your child stand and hold the bat with its barrel on the ground. The handle should reach your child’s hip ( not his waist ). Usually, young players between 3 feet and 3 feet 4 inches tall should start with a 26-inch. The bat should be 1 inch longer as they grow every 4 to 5 inches.
Here is a chart:
| Weight/Height | 35â€-38†| 39†– 4 | 41†-44†| 45 -48†| 49â€-5 | 51â€- 5 -4†| 55†-5-8†| 59†– 6 | 61†– Over |
| Under 60 LBS | 27†| 28†| 29†| 29†| |||||
| 60 – 70 LBS | 27†| 28†| 29†| 30†| 30†| ||||
| 71 – 80 LBS | 28†| 28†| 29†| 30†| 30†| 31†| |||
| 81 – 90 LBS | 28†| 29†| 29†| 30†| 30†| 31†| |||
| 91 – 100 LBS | 29†| 29†| 30†| 30†| 31†| 31†| 31†| ||
| 101 – 110 LBS | 29†| 29†| 30†| 30†| 31†| 31†| 32†| ||
| 111 – 120 LBS | 29†| 29†| 30†| 30†| 31†| 31†| 32†| ||
| 121 – 130 LBS | 30†| 30†| 30†| 31†| 32†| 32†| 33†| ||
| 131 – 140 LBS | 30†| 30†| 30†| 31†| 32†| 32†| 33†| 33†| |
| 141 – 150 LBS | 30†| 30†| 31†| 31†| 32†| 33†| 33†| 33†| |
| 151 – 160 LBS | 30 | 31†| 31†| 31†| 32†| 33†| 33†| 34†| |
| 161 – 170 LBS | 31†| 31†| 32†| 32†| 33†| 33†| 34†| ||
| 171 – 180 LBS | 31†| 32†| 32†| 33†| 34†| 34†| |||
| Over 180 LBS | 33†| 33†| 34†| 34†|
You can also use a youth boys weight to measure the bats length, too. A child weighing less than 60 pounds can handle a bat with a length from 26 to 29 inches. If your child is over 70 pounds, he/she should use between 28 and 32 inches long
The Weight
The weight is very important. You have to be sure that the product is not too heavy for your children. The size chart uses a combination of weight and height to determine the best bat choice.
Measurement Method: Grab the bat by the handle, point it straight to the left/right and hold it still. If your children can hold it still for 45 seconds, he/she can handle.
Here is a chart:
| 8 – 10 years old | 11 – 12 years old | High school or college | |||
| Player height | Bat weight | Player weight | Bat weight | Player height | Bat weight |
| 48†| 16.0 oz | 70 LBS | 18.0 oz | 66†| 27.0 oz |
| 50†| 16.5 oz | 80 LBS | 19.0 oz | 68†| 27.5 oz |
| 52†| 17.0 oz | 90 LBS | 19.5 oz | 70†| 28.0 oz |
| 54†| 17.5 oz | 100 LBS | 20.0 oz | 72†| 29.0 oz |
| 56†| 18.0 oz | 110 LBS | 20.5 oz | 74†| 30.0 oz |
| 58†| 18.5 oz | 120 LBS | 21.0 oz | 76†| 30.5 oz |
| 60†| 19.0 oz | 130 LBS | 21.5 oz | ||
| 140 LBS | 22.0 oz | ||||
The Drop And Barrel Diameter
The drop is the difference between the length and weight of the bat, the higher the drop, the easier to swing it. You should choose a lighter bat for your kid. In Little League, we use 2 1/4’†barrel bats with different drop restrictions. You should know the rule of your league because sometimes your league doesnt allow a drop 3. Here is a chart for Little League drop:
| 2 1/4†Barrel Bat Length and Drop by Player Age (Little League) | ||||
| Age | 5-7 | 8-9 | 10-10 | 12-13 |
| Length | 24-26†| 26-29†| 29-30†| 29-32†|
| Drop | 12-13.5 | 10-13.5 | 10-13 | 9-10 |
For players with age from 12 and under, a 2 ¼†barrel should be perfect. Highs school and college players can not have barrel diameter bigger than 2 5/8â€
FastPitch And SlowPitch
Bats are constructed by 1 piece or 2 pieces. 1 piece bat is stronger and stiffer, suitable for power hitters. A 2-piece bat comes with a separate handle and barrel, suitable for weaker hitters as the design enables the barrel to flex easily and create a trampoline effect, maximizes your hitting ability. Bat is usually 34 inches long, made from aluminum, composite materials like carbon fibers or wood. The slow-pitch bat is harder to swing as it is heavier.
Where To Buy Youth Baseball Bats?
In the current times of superb technological advancement, shopping for youth bats and other sporting gear has become effortless. For starters, you can browse through the thousands of online sports shops and merchant websites from the comfort of your home computer. Additionally, physical sports shops have been springing up one after the other across the globe in towns and cities. You can now take a stroll to the shop near you to choose the best bat for you. Online shopping is however better than shopping in physical shops as online merchants offer competitive prices for high-quality bats.
Materials And Types Of Bats
A bat can be made from many kinds of materials. We have traditional wooden bats, composite bats, alloy bats. Maple, popular in pro players, has great hardness and durability, makes a great sound in contact. Ash, is widely used among big league players, has a unique grain structure, perfect flexibility. Birch, is preferred in professional baseball, lighter than maple and birch, both flexible and durable. Composite youth bats are balanced and easier to control but are usually more expensive as they require a more complex manufacturing process.
Alloy or Aluminum has been around before Composite. They are hard but can still be damaged because they can get a dent after a long time of use. Alloy youth bats are less expensive and more durable than composite bats. Youth bats come in different types using various materials with the two main materials being composite and alloy.
Composite Bats
Composite bats have distinctive features and qualities that set them apart from alloy bats. Bats made from composite are generally more expensive compared to alloy bats. The most amazing feature about composite bats is that their performance gets better with time and use. Youth bats require 200-300 baseball hits to break in. it is worth noting that despite composite bats seemingly have a better performance than alloy bats, this is not true as both materials are fairly good.
Pros:
- High durability hence they have a long lifespan
- Ideal swing weight for youthful players
- Unique bending stiffness
- Amazing pop sound
- Reduced vibrations hence no stinging effect on the hands.
Cons:
- Expensive hence may not be favorable for a beginner
- Requires long to break-in
Alloy Bats
Most baseball players prefer alloy bats to composite bats. This is because alloy bats have a massive sweet spot thereby making it easy for beginners to gain good control of the ball. Additionally, these bats are inexpensive thereby becoming affordable to most beginners.
Pros:
- Faster swing speeds
- Great trampoline effect
- Massive sweet spot
- Does not require break-in time
Cons:
- Have great vibration hence possible to experience a stinging effect on the hands
It is worth noting that how a model feels in the hands is more important than the material used in making. For instance, there are players whose hands fair better with alloy bats than with composite bats. For such players, the ideal bats to use are those that are made from alloy materials.
Balanced or End-loaded
The choice of whether to opt for a balanced or end-loaded model narrows down to the players preferences. End-loaded bats have much of their weight distributed at the barrels end resulting in feeling heavier to swing. On the other hand, a balanced youth bat has its weight evenly distributed throughout the length of the youth bat. As such, balanced feel easy to swing due to the even distribution of the weight. End-loaded bats are ideal for power-hitters especially for those who are looking to enhance their hitting potential. For players looking to control their swings and wish to send the ball all over the pitch, balanced bats may be ideal.
When shopping for best youth baseball bats, it is advisable to settle for durable and strong models. Such bats are long-lasting hence making them a great investment especially for use in practicing and low league competitions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Evaluating and choosing the right youth baseball bat has in the present times become a science. This has mainly been attributed to the fact that these bats are in plenty in the market from different brands and manufacturers. As such, the performance of these bats differs considerably with some bats having better performance than the others. Your choice of youth bat impacts your game and playing skills either positively or negatively. Therefore, it is necessary to know all the facts and other necessary information about these bats. Here are a few common questions concerning youth baseball bats:
What Is A Youth Baseball Bat?
A youth baseball bat is a unique type of bat that is designed for use by beginners and young players. These bats feature 2 ¼†barrel diameter with a length-weight ratio of -8- (-13.5) thereby making the bats lightweight. The bats are easier to control and often feature comfortable grips to favor youthful and inexperienced players. Like other bats, they come in different types; wood, composite and metallic bats. There are some that are BBCOR certified for use in leagues while others do not feature this certification. Handling youth bats is incredibly simpler than controlling professional-level competition bats.
What Baseball Bat Has The Most Pop?
There is no definite answer to the bat with the most pop. This is because the pop sound in bats differs according to make and type of youth bat. However, despite composite bats having an amazing pop, aluminum bats are known to have more pop. Even so, there are some composite bats especially the high-end ones that have more pop than some aluminum ones. While pop does not have any impact on the functionality or performance of a bat, it enhances the user experience of the bat. A loud pop makes the bat more exciting and fun to use.
How Do You Know If A Bat Is Too Heavy?
There are a few ways of ascertaining the weight of a bat. The easiest and simplest way is by holding the bat out in your predominant hand. If a player cannot hold the bat in this position for about 20 seconds, then the bat is too heavy for them. The other way to identify whether the bat is exceedingly heavy for a player is by checking the length-weight ratio of the bat as provided for by the manufacturer. It is worth noting that bats that are too heavy are usually hard to control and swing. Thus, such bats are likely to inhibit the players potential when on the pitch.
Does Choking Up Increase Bat Speed?
Choking up refers to sliding the grip towards the bats top. This reduces rotational inertia by bringing the mass bulk nearer the rotational axis. Consequently, this increases bat speed thereby making it possible to swing and hit the ball faster. Choking up helps players to match the speed of fast pitchers. It is advisable that you do not take choking to the extremes but rather up to an inch or thereabout. This is because choking the bat too much often leads to sacrificing your power and thus your hits are likely to be less powerful.
How To Choose A Youth Baseball Bat?
The easiest way of choosing a youth bat for baseball is by settling on a bat that meets your preferences, needs and requirements. In line with this, when shopping for a bat, ensure that you have a budget, know whether to settle on a wood or aluminum bat and identify the best brand to purchase. Having this criterion saves you a lot of time and effort rather than browsing through the hundreds of brands and makes of bats in the market. Read reviews online on different bats to identify the make and brand that is best for you depending on your needs.
How Should You Take Care Of Your Bat?
Caring for your baseball bats is one of the surest ways of ensuring that the bat will remain in a pristine condition throughout its life. For starters, you should not expose your bat to extreme cold and moisture. Always keep the bat in a dry storage especially if storing it for a long time duration. In addition to this, do not use your bat for hitting other surfaces except a baseball. This is so that the bat does not develop dents or scratches on the barrel. For aluminum bats, take time to break them in when new as they are usually not ready to use from the box.
You can read about how to take care of a wooden baseball bat here.
Should You Use A Wood Bat From A Young Age?
Swinging wood bats from a young age helps the player in developing a proper swing form that will help the player to make accurate hits on the ball. Properly weighted youth wood baseball bats are crucial in helping players improve their hitting skills and speeds particularly for players who are keen on becoming professional baseballers.
If you are new to the sport, ensure that you employ the help of a coach or an experienced player to teach you the aspects of the sport. This is because skills like swinging, pitching and hitting are not skills that you can learn by yourself without training. Always settle on a bat that is comfortable for you and one that will make it possible for you to take your playing skills to the level you want. Always consider the grip of the bat of choice to ensure that it is soft and well-padded for a firm and secure grip.
In Summary: Which Good Youth Baseball Bat Should You Choose?
To conclude, there are quite a few factors that you need to take into account when choosing the best youth baseball bat. However, we believe that the factors mentioned above will help you narrow down the search by eliminating some bats and settling on one or two potential candidates for your choice.
