Should I buy a 2 5/8 or a 2 3/4 barrel bat?
It depends on the league. A 2-3/4 in barrel is allowed only in USSSA 14U and under; Little League, Cal Ripken / Babe Ruth, DYB, PONY, High school and College allow 2-5/8 in at most.
The largest barrel by league
| League | Largest barrel |
|---|---|
| Little League Minors, Majors | 2-5/8 in |
| Little League Intermediate (50/70), Junior | 2-5/8 in |
| Cal Ripken / Babe Ruth Cal Ripken | 2-5/8 in |
| Cal Ripken / Babe Ruth Babe Ruth 13-16 | 2-5/8 in |
| DYB | 2-5/8 in |
| PONY | 2-5/8 in |
| USSSA 14U and under | 2-3/4 in |
| High school | 2-5/8 in |
| College | 2-5/8 in |
Where this comes from
- published Little League Majors and below: Little League - Bat Rules
- published Little League Intermediate (50/70) or Junior: Little League - Bat Information
- published Cal Ripken (Babe Ruth) divisions: Babe Ruth League - League Bat Rules
- published Babe Ruth 13-16: Babe Ruth League - League Bat Rules
- published Diamond Youth Baseball (formerly Dixie), all divisions: 2026 DYB Official Playing Rules
- published PONY: PONY West Zone - Bat Information
- published USSSA 14U and under: USSSA - Baseball Bat New Mark Rules
- published High school (NFHS) 2026 and 2027 seasons: USA Baseball - High School Baseball to Expand Drop Weight Options
- published NCAA: USA Baseball - About USA BBCOR
Every rule, with its source, is on How the fit works.
More in bat guides
- What size bat for a 7-year-old?A 7-year-old usually swings a −13 to −12 bat.
- What size bat for an 8-year-old?An 8-year-old usually swings a −12 to −10 bat.
- What size bat for a 9-year-old?A 9-year-old usually swings a −12 to −10 bat.
- What size bat for a 10-year-old?A 10-year-old usually swings a −12 to −10 bat.
- What size bat for an 11-year-old?An 11-year-old usually swings a −12 to −10 bat, or −8 for a bigger, stronger player.
- What size bat for a 12-year-old?A 12-year-old usually swings a −12 to −10 bat, or −8 for a bigger, stronger player.
- What size bat for a 13-year-old?A 13-year-old usually swings a −5 bat.
- What size bat for tee ball?A tee-ball bat is 24 to 26 in long with a 2-1/4 in barrel, at a drop of −14 to −10.5, and carries the USA Baseball tee-ball mark: it is only for use with approved tee balls.