High school
High school and college.
- The mark a metal bat needs
- BBCOR
- Drop
- −3
- Next
- Wood for summer ball at −3
Quick guides for these ages
- Is BBCOR required in high school baseball?Yes, for the 2026 and 2027 seasons: a high-school bat that is not solid wood must carry the BBCOR mark, at a −3 drop, with a barrel up to 2-5/8 in.
- Can you use a wood bat in Little League, USSSA or high school?Yes: solid one-piece wood is legal everywhere without a mark.
- Maple, birch or ash: which wood bat is better?Birch for a first wood bat and a younger player: it forgives mis-hits.
- What is the ink dot on a wood bat for?An ink dot on the handle shows the maker tested the grain slope.
- 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.
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