Before purchasing a bat, consult the league or team handbook for equipment regulations, or ask the team’s coach.
If the girl you are buying a bat for is exceptionally large or small for her age, you may need to select a bat outside of the expected size range for her age group.
Have the girl extend one of her arms straight out to the side, at shoulder level. Place knob of the bat at the center of her chest and align the bat along her arm, with the end toward her fingertips. If she can comfortably touch the end of the bat with her fingertips, it is probably about the right length. Place the knob of the bat in the center of her chest and hold the bat so it is extended straight out in front of her. Ask her to reach out and grab the barrel (widest part) of the bat. If she can do so comfortably, the bat is probably about the right length. Stand the bat up vertically against her leg while she is standing up straight. A bat of the right length should come up to about mid-hip level.
A bat that is 34 in (cm) long and weighs 26 oz (kg) would have a drop of -8. In general, children under 10 will be most comfortable using bats with a drop of -13. 5 to -10, while older children may be comfortable with a drop as small as -8. If the girl is exceptionally small or large for her age, you may need to adjust the bat drop accordingly.
Ask the girl to hold the bat out in front of her with one hand and swing it back and forth. If she is unable to do so without dropping it, the bat is probably too heavy for her. Consult your coach or a specialist at your sporting goods store if you have any concerns about selecting the right weight.
Some leagues mandate the use of wood bats for safety reasons, since balls hit with wood bats are less likely to attain speeds that can result in serious injury to defensive players and pitchers. [11] X Research source
Hybrid bats combine features of alloy and composite bats. A hybrid bat offers the comfort of a shock-absorbing composite handle along with the lower cost of an alloy barrel. Be aware of the potential safety risks to other team members posed by composite bats. The higher ball speeds achieved by composite bats have the potential to cause serious injury to pitchers and defensive players.
Have the girl test out both types of bat on the field before making a purchase. She may be able to borrow bats from other team members in order to test them out and see which type she likes best.
