Ages 13 to 14
Intermediate, Junior, 13U and 14U.
- The mark a metal bat needs
- USA Baseball or BBCOR for rec, USSSA 1.15 for travel
- Drop
- −5; −8 for a smaller player where the state allows
- Next
- The two-bat test decides the step up
Quick guides for these ages
- What size bat for a 13-year-old?A 13-year-old usually swings a −5 bat.
- What size glove for a 13-year-old?A 13-year-old takes 11.25 to 12 in for an infielder and 12 to 12.75 in for an outfielder; JustBallGloves puts a middle infielder at 11 to 11.5 in.
- When should a player move to a −5 bat?At ages 13 to 14: −5 is the drop then, and a smaller player can stay at −8 where the state allows it.
- When do kids switch to a −3 BBCOR bat?In high school, for the 2026 and 2027 seasons: high-school and college bats are −3 with the BBCOR mark.
- What length and weight should a wood bat be for a 14-year-old?−3, or −2 for a bigger, stronger player, at the length the wood chart gives for your player's height and weight.
- Are metal cleats allowed in youth baseball?Generally not: players wear molded cleats through 12, and metal comes in from 13U where the league allows it, so check the league before buying metal.
- What is a good bat speed by age?By Blast's bands: 30 to 45 mph at 8 to 10, 40 to 52 mph at 11 to 12, 46 to 62 mph at 13 to 14, 55 to 65 mph at 15 to 16, 60 to 70 mph at 17 to 18, 65 to 75 mph in college.
Shop for these ages
From the published league rules and drop guides in our rules table, with Patrick's own wherever they replace the published ones. How the fit works