In the baseball world, wooden bats are more than just simple sporting equipment. A wooden baseball bat serves as a connection to the roots of the game, a nod to its rich history, and a tribute to the skill and perseverance of a player.
Wooden bats were what started it all, and in MLB, wooden bats are what thrive.
Though modern technology brought high-tech alternatives, even to this day, the allure of using a well-crafted wooden bat remains unmatched. And if you want to bring out your fullest potential, practicing your swing mechanics with a wooden baseball bat has no alternative.
Now, wooden baseball bats, compared to their composite or alloy alternatives, are pretty barebones. While that might seem refreshing to some, this can make things difficult for beginners when they want to buy one. I mean, how do you know which wood bat is good? What are the things that you should look out for?
And I’ll admit, I had my fair share of troubles with it during my rookie years. But after a while, as I started using more and more wood bats, I got better at identifying the subtleties. So, if you plan on buying a new wooden baseball bat, I’ll do my part to make things easier for you.
I’m going to talk about some of the best wood baseball bats that are available these days. You can take it from there and use this info however you see fit. So, let’s hop in.
Top 7 Best Wood Baseball Bats Reviews
Here are my picks for the best wooden baseball bats that are worth your time and money –
Table of Contents
1. Marucci AP5 Pro Model Maple Wood Baseball Bat
There are many brands that make wooden baseball bats out there. But if I had to pick one brand that I would stick to, then I would probably go with Marucci. There’s just something about their craftsmanship that resonates with me and the thousands of ball players everywhere.
Now, among the different Marucci bats, one that sticks out a cut above the rest is the Marucci AP5 Pro Model Baseball Bat. It’s a signature model made to the specifications of Albert Pujols, and frankly, it deserves the top spot in this list of the best wood baseball bats.
Built with only top-grade maple wood, this bat is designed for some heavy mashing. Wooden bats often get a bad rep because of how fragile they are and how easily they can break. And yes – after heavy use, it will start to show signs of wearing – there’s no going around that.
But when you compare it to the other wood bats out there, it does feel a lot more durable. The bat is built tough thanks to its high-grade, hand-picked maple construction with higher-than-normal wood density. So, you can expect this bat to accompany you for quite a while in your journey to become a pro hitter in the game.
The bat has a large 2 5/8 inch barrel with an end-loaded feel to it. So, for power hitters who want to hit dingers after dingers, this bat is the perfect choice. The tapered handle knob improves the balance and swing speed of the bat, making it a viable choice for contact hitters too.
This is through and through an adult baseball bat for serious players. The size of options with this bat ranges from 31 to 34 inches with a weight drop of -3, which is pretty standard for professional and adult baseball leagues. For most youths, the baseball bat is a bit too long, in my opinion.
On the bright side, the color options with the bat are pretty nice. You don’t get a lot here – just two different variants. But both of them look quite amazing. Personally, I am a huge fan of the Black and Brown variant, but the Black and Natural variant also has a classic look to it.
As for its price, it’s not exactly the cheapest – costing you around 160 to 170 bucks in most places. I know that might be a bit steep for most casual players, but it regularly goes on sale, and the price comes down quite a bit. So you can definitely save some money if you bide your time.
Unless you’re a youth player looking for a high-end wood baseball bat, you’d find little worth complaining about with the Marucci AP5 Baseball bat. It’s a premium bat that delivers superb hitting power and swing accuracy at your fingertips – one thing that all power hitters crave solely.
2. Victus Pro Reserve V-Cut Maple Wood Baseball Bat
If there’s one brand that’s just as consistent as Marucci in their plate appearance in the MLB, it would have to be Victus. But some might say that I’m taking the easy way out. Victus is owned by Marucci, after all. However, Victus has enough unique bats of their own to warrant a spot on this list.
Now, Victus has a lot of amazing baseball bats for you to choose from, and most of their bats are made of high-grade wood. And though I could have gone with any of them, I decided to go with the Pro Reserve V-Cut. Why? Well, to understand that, you first need to know what “Pro Reserve” means.
Basically, these bats were designed for the pros to use in official MLB games. And they are often designed according to the specs of the player. But due to “non-structural imperfections,” or simply blemishes or cosmetic impurities, these bats didn’t make the cut.
Well, now you can pick them up at a cheaper price! So, with the Victus Pro Reserve V-Cut, you’re essentially getting an MLB-grade wooden baseball bat that feels premium, works well, and doesn’t cost you too much. That’s what makes this bat so special!
Of course, the downside here is the cosmetic imperfection. However, in my experience, this issue isn’t as serious as you might think. In most cases, it’s just a small blemish here or there, which, in my opinion, gives the bat a bit more character. They don’t impact the performance at all.
Another downside is that the bat, though cheaper than the ones without any imperfections, is still a bit expensive, costing you around 130 bucks each. For a wood bat that can break, this might be a bit too expensive, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
However, if I’m talking about the build quality and performance, there’s little worth complaining about. The bat is made of maple, giving it a strong and reliable hitting performance. It has a pretty fast swing speed, and its balanced swing weight makes it a great choice for all types of hitters.
The bat has a weight drop of -3, which is standard for MLB-grade bats. But the available sizes range from 32 to 34 inches, which frankly isn’t all that flexible. If you prefer a shorter bat, you’re out of luck and should look for a different bat like the Marucci AP5 that I talked about just now.
Overall, this is a fantastic wooden baseball bat that’s perfect for players who care more about the performance of the bat than how it looks. Don’t get me wrong – it looks pretty darn nice, but there might be some small cosmetic imperfections here that some might not be a huge fan of.
3. Louisville Slugger Prime Bellinger Wood Baseball Bat
When you think of past legends like Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig, the brand that immediately pops to mind is Louisville Slugger. This is the brand that was there at the beginning of baseball. Decades later, they are still going strong, manufacturing premium baseball bats for pros all over the world.
While some of the hype around the brand has certainly died down with time, the quality of Louisville Slugger is still top-tier. And in addition to manufacturing high-end wood bats, they also make aluminum and composite bats that are designed to give the youths a solid shot at making it big in the sport.
But I’m not here to talk about aluminum or composite bats. So, let’s turn our attention towards the Prime Bellinger, a top-shelf wooden baseball bat that’s perfect for youth, high school, and adult players of all age groups. It’s been my favorite bat for a while now, and there are many good reasons for it.
First off, this bat features a maple wood construction with an EXOPRO top coat. The top coat gives the bat a polished, glossy finish that looks extremely stylish. And in addition to making the bat look good, the coat also makes the bat more durable, allowing it to withstand more impact from the baseball.
The thing I really love about the bat is that it has a nice, clean look. I know some people would prefer having cool graphics on the barrel or the handle. But the natural wood visuals of the bat, along with its minimalistic logo and branding, give the Prime Bellinger an extremely classy look.
Another great thing about the bat is that it’s available in multiple drops. With drop options ranging from -3 to -11, this bat is suitable for a wider group of players. Youth players, for instance, would find a lighter -10 or -8 bat much easier to manage than a standard -3 baseball bat.
However, the size variations don’t reflect the same level of flexibility, which really is a bummer. The size options for the bat range from 31 to 34 inches, which is fine for high-school or adult players, but for youth players, this length might be a bit too long for the player to handle.
Still, compared to the size options with the Victus V-Cut Pro Reserve, it certainly does things better. Though it costs a bit more than the Victus bat, the performance of the bat is definitely on par. And on the plus side, there are no aesthetic imperfections here that you need to worry about. As a premium wooden baseball bat, the Prime Bellinger certainly is an amazing choice. Its price is a bit steep, but the overall build quality and performance that it delivers offset that quite a bit. If you’re looking for a wood bat that lasts you a good while, this is the one for you.
4. Mizuno 340466 Bamboo Classic MZB 62 Baseball Bat
Mizuno is somewhat of an oddball in this list. It’s the only Japanese brand on this list, and as you know, they like to do things a bit differently. That, however, doesn’t change the fact that Mizuno is a top-tier baseball gloves and gear manufacturer that also has a couple of amazing baseball bats to offer.
Now, what makes Mizuno different is that instead of going with the traditional Maple, Birch or Ash wood for their bats, they decided to settle with bamboo wood. And they do have a couple of different bamboo bats in their catalog. My favorite one among them is the Mizuno Bamboo Classic MZB 62 Baseball Bat.
Of course, an argument can be made here that bamboo bats aren’t exactly wooden bats. You can’t use them in the MLB, after all, as the league officials consider them as composite bats. But frankly, if you’re playing in the amateur leagues and want a bat that gives you a wood-like feel, then this is a great one to go with.
Why? Well, there are a couple of reasons. Firstly, bamboo wood is much stronger than other wood types, including maple. It boasts a higher tensile strength, allowing it to withstand regular impacts from the ball without shattering. Over time, the strength will decrease, and it will break eventually, but it usually survives much longer than wooden bats.
This bat has a lightweight swing. As a result, contact hitters who rely on their swing speed and quick reflexes will find the bat is well-suited to meet their needs. And to sweeten the deal, this bat has a cupped end, further reinforcing its light swing and balanced weight.
The handle of the bat also feels pretty decent, thanks to a sanded finish. It has a nice texture that feels comfortable to hold and also lets you grip the handle tightly as you bring it from shoulder to hip. So, you won’t need to worry about losing control over your swing when you use the bat.
Of course, you can’t really overlook the fact that it’s a composite bat through and through. And while it does feel like a wood bat, if you’re playing in a strictly wood-bat tournament, the officials might disqualify the bat. The only reason I put it on this list is that it makes a great alternative for youth players who want a wood bat.
The size options with the bat are pretty decent, ranging from 31 to 34 inches. So, you have a bit of flexibility in choosing the length that’s right for you. It’s perfect for high school and adult players who play under NCAA or High School rules since the size and -3 drop weight are well suited at that level.
And the best part is that the price of the bat is pretty amazing. It costs under 100 bucks, so you won’t break your bank getting it. Even if it breaks, getting a new one shouldn’t be too taxing on your end. And for those who want a wood bat for practice, this is a pretty nice one to add to your collection.
5. Old Hickory Mike Trout Model Maple Wood Bat
Old Hickory Bat Company is another brand that’s worth knowing if you’re into wooden baseball bats. It’s one of those brands that specializes in wooden bats specifically. They usually don’t manufacture other bat types, which makes them somewhat of a one-trick pony as far as baseball bat brands go.
However, when it comes to carving wooden billets and perfectly shaping them into high-performance baseball bats, they are certainly one of the finest brands out there. Whether you’re looking for a maple bat, an Ashwood bat, or even a bat made of birch, this is the brand that you can rely on.
While they don’t have as much plate share as Louisville Slugger or Marucci, there are many pros who count on this brand to manufacture their bats. And if you’re a fan of Mike Trout, then you’ll be glad to know that his signature maple bat is made by none other than Old Hickory.
Now, personal bias plays a huge role in dictating which bat you’ll love, but even if you overlook that, you can’t deny that the Mike Trout Model by Old Hickory is a fantastic baseball bat. It’s made to his exact specifications, which, as it turns out, is a great fit for many other budding ball players out there.
So, let’s talk a bit about its specs. The bat, as I said earlier, is made of maple, meaning it offers minimal barrel flex, optimizing the power of the bat more than its swing speed. Usually, maple bats are the preferred weapon of choice for most power hitters.
However, to counteract the barrel flex, the bat has a cupped end, which means some of the swing weight is shaved off. So, you’ll get a lighter swing on the bat, allowing you to bring it from shoulder to hip faster to cover the strike zone easily. That, combined with the amazing pop of the bat, makes it a formidable tool for any hitter.
The bat has a smaller barrel profile compared to MLB standards. With a barrel diameter of 2 ½ inches, you might have a harder time getting a good connection with the ball. However, that isn’t a huge downside, especially if you’re skilled enough. So, make sure you hit the batting cage to hone your hitting prowess.
This bat is available in a decent range of sizes, allowing you to go from 29 all the way up to 33 inches. Remember, though, the bat that Mike Trout uses looks a bit longer for his size. So, if you plan on following in his footsteps, consider going one size over what you would normally get.
The bat costs around 200 bucks, which makes it the dearest one on this list. But frankly, that’s not a huge deal, as the performance it delivers is definitely on par with its pricing. Sure – wood bats can break any time – but if you manage to make yours last, you can definitely hit a few solid dingers with this one.
6. Rawlings Adirondack Wood Bat
For my next pick, I decided to go with something other than a maple baseball bat. I mean – maple bats are great and all, and there are still many amazing maple bats out there that are worth picking up. But ash wood bats are also a worthy contender in this list because of their light and quick swing.
And when it comes to ash bats, the first brand that comes to mind is Rawlings. Although revered mostly for their high-quality baseball gloves, the baseball bats that they manufacture are also pretty amazing. Rawlings has a pretty nice catalog of wooden baseball bats that are designed for youth and amateur players.
For my list, I decided to go with the ADIRONDACK Wood Bat. I know – this isn’t exactly the premium choice – and if you’re a veteran player, you might not find this one all too appealing. However, for casual players and those who want to start practicing the game, this one is a fantastic choice.
Why? Well, for one thing – it’s absurdly cheap. The bat costs only around 40 bucks, which should be a chump change for any ball player. And if it breaks – which ash baseball bats are infamous for, you can easily get a replacement without putting any real strain on your wallet.
However, don’t underestimate the ADIRONDACK just because the bat is affordable. For what it’s worth, the bat is pretty amazing. It has the standard -3 drop, making it a viable choice for any amateur wood-bat leagues. So, running into any legal issues wouldn’t be a concern.
On top of that, it’s also available in multiple sizes, making it a viable choice for both teenagers and adults. The size range of the bat goes from 31 to 34 inches. Of course, I would have liked it more if it came in a smaller size, but for teenagers, the 31-inch model seems decent enough.
As I said already, the bat is made of ash wood. And for those that don’t know, ash wood is much lighter than maple. While that does affect the hitting power of the bat to some extent, the faster swing speed and lighter weight make up for it. For contact hitters, this is the perfect bat.
The downside, obviously, is the durability. Since the bat is hollow, the chance of it shattering is pretty high. Making this bat last an entire season would be pretty difficult, even if you use it as carefully as possible. However, the price of the bat does make up for it to some extent.
While this bat might be a great choice as a game bat, for me, it’s more of a practice bat that’s best kept in the batting cage. It lets you work on your fundamentals and get better at making good connections with the ball. However, its lifespan is a real concern. You might be better off with a maple or birch bat for a real game.
7. Louisville Slugger Select Cut B9
With maple and ash wood baseball bats covered, we are still yet to talk about a birch wood baseball bat. And there are a couple of great ones out there. But instead of going with just any odd bat out there, I decided to go with one that’s manufactured by none other than Louisville Slugger.
The Select Cut B9 is their take on what a birch baseball bat should be like. It’s not the dearest bat on this list, but it’s certainly not the most affordable one, either. I believe this bat strikes a good balance of price, performance, and durability. In other words, it’s the perfect bat to wrap up this list.
No one beats the finish that Louisville Slugger offers with their baseball bats, as was evident when I talked about the Prime Bellinger earlier. But if you need more convincing, here’s another one for you. Similar to the Bellinger, the Select Cut B9 features the Exopro top coat, giving it a stylish, glossy look.
And like before, it also adds a hardened top layer on the bat, enhancing its durability. While it doesn’t impact the performance all that much, it does eliminate the major issue people have with wood bats – it improves the lifespan of the bat quite significantly.
To further enhance its durability, the manufacturers gave the bat a bone-rubbed finish. What that means is the bat will have the perfect wood density to give it that extra oomph to survive the regular impact from the baseball. And it also enhances the pop of the bat.
Since the bat is made of birch wood, you can expect a lighter swing weight than a typical maple bat. But the power you get on a successful hit is much higher than what you would get with an ash bat. This makes the baseball bat a good fit regardless of whether you’re a power hitter or a contact hitter.
The balanced design of the bat is further enhanced because of its cupped end. You’ll be able to swing the bat and cover the strike zone pretty easily. With skill and practice, the bat becomes a beast. But even at the hands of a beginner, the bat works wonders because of its overall design.
This bat, however, is only designed for adult players, starting at around 32 inches in length. The highest you can go in size is 34 inches, which limits the user base by quite a bit. This is about the only downside I could find with the baseball bat – even the price seems pretty reasonable.
Visually, this bat looks pretty amazing. It’s fully coated in black paint with a glossy top layer. And the gold decals highlighting the logo and other stamps give the bat a mean and gritty look while keeping things minimalistic. Whether you love or hate the bat, you can’t deny that it looks pretty awesome.
Honorary Mention: Louisville Slugger Youth Genuine Y125
Overview:
- Wood Type: Birch wood
- Size Range: 27 to 31 inches
- Feel: Balanced
- Barrel: Large
I’ll be honest: when I started this list, I never intended to include a youth bat here. Youth players typically use composite bats since handling the weight of a wooden bat is a bit difficult at that age group. Then again – using a wood bat from an early age can be pretty beneficial for a hitter. So here goes!
Once again, Louisville Slugger takes the spotlight with their Youth Genuine Y125 Baseball Bat, a bat that every youth player should try out at least once. Not only is this bat extremely stylish to look at, but it’s also easy to use, has a nice balance to it, and is pretty reasonably priced.
Made using birch wood, this bat is one of the best balanced wood baseball bats that’s available for youth players. And to sweeten the deal, the cupped end of the bat results in a light and smooth swing, allowing the player to bring it from shoulder to hip quickly, with minimal drag.
But that doesn’t take anything away from the power that it’s able to generate. The bat has a nice pop to it, and when you manage to hit the ball with the sweet spot of the bat, you’ll send it flying to the stands! But of course, you first need to get a good grasp of your swing mechanics, and this bat gives you a solid platform to do exactly that.
And remember how I said the bat looks pretty stylish? Well, I was underselling it. The bat has a truly premium look to it because of the natural to black hardline. The white Genuine logo and large Louisville Slugger Branding at the barrel also add a touch of class to the baseball bat.
Now, what’s the downside here? I mean, for a price tag of 30 to 40 bucks, the level of performance that this baseball bat delivers seems too good to be true, right? Well, frankly, the only downside here is that at the hands of a power hitter, this bat won’t last very long. Its durability, though decent, isn’t really on par with the more expensive options on this list.
Then again, for the price, you couldn’t really complain here. This, in my opinion, is a practice bat through and through. So, if you plan on honing your craft and working on your swing mechanics with a decent wooden bat, this one is your pick. This might not be the best youth baseball bat out there, but it’s certainly a worthy contender.
This bat is available in sizes ranging from 27 to 31 inches. So, youth players shouldn’t have any issue picking out a size that matches their needs. And since it has the standard drop of -3, it will give the players a chance to get acquainted with how a real wooden baseball bat feels.
How to Select the Best Wooden Baseball Bats
There’s a saying – all wood bats are great bats. But that doesn’t mean you can just waltz in and buy the first wooden bat that your eyes land on. It might not be right for you.
When you’re planning to buy a new wooden baseball bat for yourself, you need to think about what you need. Your skill and age play a huge role in deciding which bat is right for you.
Now that you’ve gone through my list of the best wood bats let’s talk about a couple of things you should consider when making your pick.
Wood Type
Not all wood bats are made equally. Over the years, different manufacturers have come up with different ideas on which wood species to use in baseball bat production. Nowadays, there are three wood species that are primarily used to make baseball bats – maple, ash, and birch.
In the past, things were different, though. People had complete freedom to explore different possibilities. For example, back in the days, people even used to make baseball bats out of hickory.
Now, depending on the wood type used in production, the performance and overall feel of a baseball bat can vary drastically. And before you decide on your bat, you need to understand how different wood type affects the baseball bat.
Maple
Maple is the heaviest wood of the three and also has less flex. As a result, baseball bats made out of maple wood tend to feel quite stiff and rigid. It doesn’t get to the point that it becomes uncomfortable, though, so don’t worry about that too much.
What you need to know here is that maple wood baseball bats typically offer a higher energy transfer when you manage to get a good connection with the baseball bat. Because of its minimal barrel flex and higher strength, getting a good bit of power on your swing is easier.
Ash
Ash wood baseball bats are at the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to tensile strength, barrel flex, and weight. While maple bats shine in energy transfer, the biggest strength of ash bats is their higher barrel flex. Because of it, getting quick, reflexive swings with the bat is easier.
Contact hitters tend to prefer ash bats for this very reason. Although getting homers with ash bats is difficult, compared to maple bats, bunting or hitting flyballs that cut through the infield is a lot more manageable. That’s what contact hitters try to achieve anyway making ash bats a good fit for them.
Birch
So, maple bats have higher power and ash bats have greater barrel flex – birch bats, on the other hand, strike a balance between the two bat types. In other words, with birch bats, you get a decent bit of power and barrel flex all in one package.
However, most people don’t prefer birch because it doesn’t really excel at either aspect. Sure, you get a decent bit of swing power, but it can’t match what you get with a maple bat. And the barrel flex, while decent, is still not on par with what you would get with ash bats.
Hybrid
These days, you can also find some hybrid baseball bats in the market that combine a wooden barrel with a composite handle. The barrel end can again be made of maple, birch or ash wood. These bats give you the performance and feel of a wood bat but usually last longer because of the composite handle.
While these bats are not really viable in wood bat-specific baseball leagues, they can be a decent choice if you’re using them mostly for training.
Overall Build
The wood type matters, sure, but beyond that, you also need to look at the bat’s overall build quality. Just because an affordable baseball bat uses maple wood doesn’t mean it’ll offer the same level of performance and durability as a premium bat. The craftsmanship matters!
But how do you check the build quality of the bat? Well, that’s a tough one to answer. It comes with experience to some extent, and as you play around with different bats, you’ll get better at being able to tell whether a bat is good or bad just by picking it up.
If you’re a beginner, it can be harder to understand the overall build of the baseball bat. So, you want to stick with a popular brand that has a reputation to maintain. Also, keep an eye out for any cosmetic imperfections or structural issues on the bat. If you find any, it’s best to steer clear of it.
Bat Length and Age Group
There’s no point in buying a bat that feels awkward to use, right? Well, as it turns out, many players make this very mistake. And that happens when you don’t take the size of the bat into consideration. So, if you plan on buying a high-quality baseball bat, make sure you check your size options.
Now, wooden baseball bats are typically made for adults. There are a couple of great wooden bat options for youth players, like the Louisville Slugger Youth Genuine Y125, but in most cases, the size option for wooden bats is typically aimed towards adults.
Most wood bats start at 30 or 31 inches and give you the option to go as high as 34 inches in length. Before you commit to one, make sure the bat you’re getting is available in your size. If you don’t know how to check, here’s a quick guide on how to size baseball bats.
Cupped vs. Uncupped
Compared to other bat types, wooden baseball bats are pretty barebones. They don’t come with over-the-top barrel technologies or high-tech wall compression features that come with composite bats. But sometimes, some baseball bats come with a cupped end.
For those who don’t know, cupping the end of a baseball bat takes away some of the weight from the top of the barrel, making it easier to swing. Cupping the bat reduces the bat’s weight slightly but also takes away a bit of your hitting power. So essentially, you’re trading power for speed.
If you’re a contact hitter who wants a lighter swing with his bat, then a cupped baseball bat is what you want. However, for power hitters who want to make every swing count, an uncupped baseball bat might be the better choice. You need to figure out your playstyle, and that will help you decide which bat is better for you. If you want to know more about cupped vs uncupped baseball bats read here.
Practice vs. Real-Game:
Do you plan to get one bat for both your training and competitive games? Or are you the type to use one bat for practice while you save your premium bat for the big games only? This might not seem like a big deal when you’re buying a wooden bat, but trust me, it is.
You see, wood bats, at least compared to aluminum or composite baseball bats, are quite flimsy. They can break at any time, and the longer you use one, the higher the chances are of it shattering. Overusing your game bat is really not the brightest idea.
So, I would not recommend using your game bat for training. Instead, you should get a couple of cheap wooden baseball bats that you can use for your drills or in the batting cage while spending your main budget on a high-end bat that you can use for your competitive games.
Price
Wooden baseball bats come in a wide range of prices. And having an idea of the price range will help you figure out how much you should spend on a bat. By reading through my list, you should already have a general idea, but here’s a quick refresher for you.
For training bats, you shouldn’t spend more than 50 to 60 bucks on each bat. As a result, even if it breaks, it won’t put a huge dent in your wallet. The same price range goes for baseball bats that you want to use for fun, casual games.
However, if you’re going for a baseball bat that you’ll use for competitive games, then a higher budget usually yields better results. In that case, a budget of at least 120 to 150 bucks should give you a couple of nice options.
Of course, you could go with bats that are cheaper than 50 bucks, but in most cases, they would break after a couple of uses. And the performance and balance of these bats might not be as good as you would want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before I take my leave, let me address some of the questions that people often ask me about wooden baseball bats.
Do youth players use wooden baseball bats?
Youth players typically use composite baseball bats, but wood bats are allowed in youth leagues. The main reason why youth players use composite bats is that they are easier to use and more forgiving. However, if you want your kid to get a better grasp of hitting mechanics and develop as a hitter, using a wood bat instead of a composite bat during practice is a great idea.
Are wooden bats allowed in college baseball?
There are no rules that explicitly state that you can’t use wooden bats in college baseball, but most players don’t opt for them. The reason is simple – in college baseball, aluminum bats are allowed, and since aluminum bats are lighter, can generate higher power, and also last longer than wood bats, players prefer these bats over wood.
Are wooden baseball bats expensive?
Not really. Compared to aluminum or composite baseball bats, wooden bats are pretty cheap. While there are some wooden bats that are pricier than even a high-end composite bat, those are pretty rare.
Let’s Recap
Wooden baseball bats are not as popular in the youth or college baseball leagues. But if you ask me – without a wood bat, you won’t be able to reach your fullest potential. The unforgiving nature of wood bats means that they’ll push you to become the best hitter that you can be.
Now that you’ve gone through my list, you should have plenty of nice options to consider. But instead of going with the most expensive one here, put some thought into what you want out of the bat. This will help you land on the best one for your specific situation.
For instance, if you’re a youth player who wants a taste of what wood bats feel like, the Youth Genuine seems like the only choice that makes sense. However, for competitive games, it’s hard to beat the quality of the Marucci AP5 or the Old Hickory Mike Trout.
I hope my in-depth review of the best wood baseball bats can help you find the perfect baseball bat for you. Good luck!
