This Bat Size Chart

[RADcatchers]

How to Pick the Right Softball Bat - The Hitting Vault

How to pick the right softball bat is a difficult question for softball players. Check out The Hitting Vault's guide to picking the right softball bat.

thehittingvault.com

Lots to choose from.
Lots of length options to height ratio's!!!
* Keep in mind length wise
* Pending where a batter grips the bat can be a factor in players decisions also!
*Grip closer or farther from the knob.
Just sharing that may be a reason the same height batter might use a different length bat than another of the same height! Along with other critical factors like strength and body speed.

Me, 5'3 1/3
I swung a 34,
like to have at least a half inch between my hands and the knob on the bat.
For me bat is a tool I have to actually use to find out if it's the right one for me.
Like shoes, have to try it on!

 

[D500]

HA! I've always wondered about these! By the guide provided in the link (and many others I've seen), almost all the girls on my DDs team are using a size too large. But by their performance and direction provided by all the coaches they've interacted with, they are using the correct size.
Are these charts outdated for their time and need updating?

 

[BillyB]

I think that chart looks pretty good. I use the sternum with outreached arm for sizing and this looks close to that on kids I work with. Can you almost touch the end of bat, or close to the end of the bat. Should be good to go. Not sure, or close to next size up...Don't go bigger, it just causes less Bat control through the zone.

 

[angispeds]

Depends on the kid. If I did this with my lanky 12yo she’d be in a 34 she’s no where near strong enough to swing. Shes moving into the 32-10.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[anorman79]

On most of these charts I've seen, the recommendations look too big. My girl is 8, slender, tall, and long. She swings either a 28/17 or 27/17. I can't really decide which she swings best. I like the extra inch she gets with the 28 especially on outside pitches, and she seems to swing it fine but may have better barrel control with the 27

That chart would have her swinging a 30. It's tough sometimes when kids swing short bats, especially tough for the coach trying to pitch to them(ask me how I know) but a too long bat will really mess a kid's swing up mechanically, from what I've seen. Then before you know it they've formed bad habits and will keep doing it even when the bats fits

Every kid is different, but it seems like these charts tend to be more aggressive on size recommendations when it should be the opposite

 

[BillyB]

My opinion, shorter with more barrel control is always better ..knowing you may tag off the end on super away pitches...Have her live up tighter to plate. Worst thing on the planet, is not being able to handle a bat too big, plus fighting weight.

 

[murphdog]

DD is done with college ball but according to this chart she should have been swinging a 32 and she had used a 33 since sometime in high school.
She’s 5’4” and about 120 lbs but pretty solid for her size and could easily handle the bat.

But I also know much bigger girls who successfully swing smaller lighter bats.

I can see using these charts as a guide but ultimately it should come down to what bat feels right and gets good results.