CBAP5HD Maple Pro Wood Baseball Bat

Dense and hard, the most common pro wood. Hits hard and holds up when the player squares the ball up; breaks rather than flakes when mis-hit. Quality varies a lot by maker.

Tip: Maple from a good maker is the best wood bat money can buy; maple from a cheap one is the worst.

The middle of the range (about 2.45 to 2.55 in). Most pro turn models live here.

Tip: A safe default when you are not sure.

A handle under about 0.93 in. It whips through the zone and feels fast, but it stings more on mis-hits and, in wood, breaks more easily. Common on pro models.

Tip: Thin handles and young hands do not mix well in cold weather; expect sting.

The handle widens into the knob like the bell of a trumpet. Players who choke up or want leverage like it; it also keeps the bottom hand from sliding off. Popular from high school up.

An ink dot on the handle shows the maker tested the grain slope. It is required for maple and birch bats used in pro ball and is a good sign of wood selection on any bat.