Is maple or ash better for a beginner's wood bat?
Neither is the first choice: birch is, because it forgives mis-hits. A first wood bat should also have a thicker handle, a traditional knob and balanced weight.
The rules
Maple for hitters who square the ball up; birch more forgiving; ash lighter and flexible (Louisville Slugger). Pat's view: maple quality varies by maker.
First wood bat: Thicker handle (near 1 in, e.g. 110 or Chandler BD13), traditional knob, balanced; Sam Bat recommends 15/16 in handle and larger for durability.
Where this comes from
- published Any: Louisville Slugger - How to Choose a Wood Bat
- published First wood bat or moving from metal: Chandler Bats - How To Select a Wood Bat
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.