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Best Baseball Bats In 2022

This product guide was written by GearHungry Staff
Last Updated January 7, 2019
GearHungry Staff
GearHungry Staff posts are a compilation of work by various members of our editorial team. We update old articles regularly to provide you the most current information. You can learn more about our staff here.
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It’s time to dust off the old catchers mitt, and hit the home plate for another season. Whether you want to grab youth baseball bats for your kids, or baseball equipment to stock up your own supply, everything you need is a quick scroll away. We’ve made the process as simple as can be, and answered your burning questions on ratings, barrel materials and material types below. We won’t keep you waiting; the best baseball bat brands and models on the market today are at your fingertips.

The Best Baseball Bat

1
Cold Steel Brooklyn Crusher

cold steel brooklyn crusher

Thanks to the movies, we’ve come to realize that baseball bats aren’t just useful on the baseball field, but can be used in other endeavors. The strength of the bat usually dictates this, and you are unlikely to find many bats stronger than the Cold Steel Brooklyn Crusher. This exquisite bat is made from high-quality polypropylene, which is very robust and reliable. Besides, you never have to worry about your bat breaking, splintering, cracking, or fading as the standard used for this bat makes it one of the strongest on the market. As mentioned above, baseball bats aren’t restricted to helping you on the baseball field; they also have other applications. One of such is martial arts mastery. With the Cold Steel Brooklyn Crusher, you can train and build up your strength and hand/eye coordination, which, in turn, would be very useful when improving your martial arts skills.

Another excellent application of this incredible bat is for defense. Also, the bat is particularly friendly for smaller individuals as it is lightweight enough to swing with ease. Virtually unbreakable and insanely strong, you can deftly use it for a good game. The polished black design makes it attractive to the eye, and the ergonomic grip encourages prolonged use without causing you any discomfort in the process. The Brooklyn crusher takes the top spot in terms of the best choice for a baseball bat. It’s versatile, durable, quality, and easy to use and maintain. With all these attributes, what more could you ask for from a baseball bat? For more must-have gear for baseball players, check out our guide to the best baseball helmets.

Key Features:

Made with high-quality polypropylene

Durable, robust, and long-lasting

Capable of being used to improve strength and hand/eye coordination

Ergonomic grip for comfortable handling

Specification:
  • BrandCold Steel
  • Model710721
BUY ON AMAZON

2
Rawlings Raptor USA Youth Baseball Bat Series

rawlings raptor usa youth baseball bat series

Catch them young’ is a pretty common phrase used to describe the need to get kids involved in particular hobbies at an early age; which could lead to a lifelong association with the said hobby. Baseball is no different, and in the Rawlings Raptor USA Youth Baseball Bat Series, you have one of the best bats for kids who are just learning and growing in the game. The bat features a weight drop that makes it much lighter than standard bats, but it lacks in weight, it more than makes up for in speed. The weight drop allows for improved bat speed, which could really help younger players come to grips with the turf and what they are dealing with.

In addition, the bat is constructed with a durable alloy that makes it virtually unbreakable, and you can be sure that your ward will get a lot of joy from this incredible bat. Besides, the bat also contains an extended sweet spot, which increases the likelihood of contact with the ball; this could help boost the confidence of young players. What’s more, the design is sleek and hip in an eye-catching way; this makes it as much a fashion statement as a mark of quality and competence. The bat is approved for the new 2018 standards in all USA Baseball leagues and meets all the required standards. Rawlings has been in the business of making competent sporting goods since 1887 and has always created products with the most impressive quality.

Key Features:

Weight drop allows for improved bat speed

Impressive design is easy on the eye and unique in its detail

Perfect bat with which to get younger players interested and invested in the sport

Created with high-quality, durable alloy

Specification:
  • BrandRawlings
  • ModelUS8R10-27/17
  • Weight1.06 pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

3
Rawlings 2018 5150 Baseball Bat

rawlings raptor usa youth baseball bat series

Between aerodynamics, negative weight options and raw power, Rawlings and their 2018 model of the 5150 bat have everything that you’re going to need. Crafted of aircraft-grade alloy, you’ll get one sturdy bat with superior grip along the hilt, and a perfect bout of weight distribution thanks to the weighted knob on the base. This was engineered with pOp 2.0 technology, something that keeps Rawlings on the map. With a hollow body and massive power behind your hands, you’ll be optimized to hit your best, and send it flying out of the park (or into the neighbor’s yard). If you love baseball, make sure you also check our guide to the best pitching machines.

Key Features:

Engineered with pOp 2.0

31” in length

Total 20 oz weight

Aircraft-grade alloy construction

Specification:
  • BrandRawlings
  • ModelUS8511-31/20
  • Weight1.25 pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

4
Louisville Slugger 2019 Prime Baseball Bat

louisville slugger 2019 prime baseball bat

This is the grand old brand that everyone always references when they’re talking about the prime time of baseball, or that one terrifying Carrie Underwood song. Louisville Slugger ensured that this bat, regardless of what length you go with, is perfectly within the necessary -3 ratio required for BBCOR compliance. That being said, it’s also crafted out of composite, and features their VCX technology woven throughout the bat. That means less vibrations rattling your hands, and more power to keep on moving. If you’re going premium, if you just can’t bear to have less than the best, then we believe you’ve met your match.

Key Features:

Tight barrel diameter for precise hits

31” in length

28 oz weight, always within a -3 ratio

VCX technology designed by Louisville Slugger

Specification:
  • BrandLouisville Slugger
  • ModelWTLBBP919B3
  • Weight3 pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

5
Louisville Slugger Solo 618 Baseball Bat

louisville slugger solo 618 baseball bat

They’re the best of the best, but they’re also not just about keeping everything MLB-appropriate. Louisville Slugger designed this backyard baseball bat with all the fixings that you can expect on major league gear, without having to fall into the BBCOR guidelines. You get a single piece of hyper alloy, providing much faster swing speeds than your standard metal bat, while also remaining super lightweight for little hands to get a grip on. Speaking of which, they’ve also included their lizard skin grip on the handle, so slips will be a thing of the past. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best basketball hoops.

Key Features:

Single piece hyper alloy construction

28” in length

Total of 17 oz

Lizard skin handle grip for optimal performance

Specification:
  • BrandLouisville Slugger
  • ModelWTLUBS618B11
  • Weight1.5 pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

6
Rawlings Velo Hybrid Balanced Collegiate Baseball Bat

rawlings velo hybrid balanced collegiate baseball bat

If you’re going to be taking things a little more seriously, then it’s time to introduce you to Rawlings completely BBCOR-compliant bat. They keep every single size within the necessary -3 ratio, and offer you everything you need to retain complete dominance over your bat. You get a flex grip that helps make perfect contact with your skin and gloves, even if the heat is getting the best of you and sweat finds its way onto the handle. Apart from that, it’s a simple design and solution for high school and college players, and anyone trying to get into the major league.

Key Features:

Aircraft grade aluminum design

31” in length

Total of 28 oz (all sizes are BBCOR compliant)

Flex grip helps out even with sweaty palms

Specification:
  • BrandRawlings
  • ModelBB7V-P
  • Weight3 pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

7
Easton Ghost X Hyperlite Youth Baseball Bat

easton ghost x hyperlite youth baseball bat

We know that alloy bats are one of the best types in the world, but Easton took that knowledge to another level. The Ghost X may sound like a Tom Clancy movie, but it’s actually one of the most durable youth bats you could ever imagine owning. You’ll get a total of a -11 weight drop, falling into line with little league and junior league regulations, but you’ll also get perhaps the best feature of this bat: the hyperskin grip. Even if your little one has butterfingers, it’ll be hard to lose control of the bat with hyperskin coating roughly 8” of space. Perfectly weighed, properly durable, and designed for the less-than-dextrous beginners.

Key Features:

Long-lasting alloy design won’t tarnish with age

27” in length

Total weight of 16 oz

Hyperskin grip for superior control

Specification:
  • BrandEaston
  • ModelA112869
  • Weight3 pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

8
SZYT Baseball Bat

szyt baseball bat

Baseball bats have garnered a pretty intense reputation as a weapon, thanks to Hollywood and TV. In fact, they’re almost as well known for hitting people as they are for hitting baseballs. That’s why we weren’t all that surprised that the SZYT Baseball Bat is actually designed as a self-defense weapon. You could use it for lightweight bat speed training but it will dent pretty badly under the force of a well-pitched fastball. This is because it’s made from a lightweight aluminum alloy (it weighs just 12.8 ounces), which can bend if it’s put under too much pressure. It also has a shock-absorbing rubber grip. 

Key Features:

28 inches in length 

Made from lightweight aluminum alloy 

Anti-skid shock-absorbing rubber grip 

Diameter – 1.9 inches 

Specification:
  • BrandSZYT
  • Model180331
  • Weight12.8 ounces
BUY ON AMAZON

9
BARNETT BB-W Wooden Baseball Bat

barnett bb-w wooden baseball bat

It’s pretty hard to find an old-school wooden baseball bat these days. They’re either adorned in decals, made from metal, or covered in a team’s colors. We don’t have a problem with any of that but it’s nice to see a bat that takes it back to a simpler time when baseball players smoked in the dugout and worked odd-jobs in their time off. Admittedly, the Barnett BB-W does have a large logo imprinted into the side of the bat, but we’ll let them off for that. Whether you’re buying this bat for hitting practice, as a self-defense weapon, or to dress up as Regan from the Walking Dead, it both looks and performs like a traditional baseball bat. It comes in four different sizes and is made from solid composite wood, so it will stand the test of time. 

Key Features:

Made from composite wood 

Available in 24”, 28”, 30”, & 32” 

Black logo on the side

Specification:
  • BrandBarnett
  • ModelBB-W
BUY ON AMAZON

10
Franklin Sports Teeball Bats

franklin sports teeball bats

Teeball is the first step in your kid’s Little League career. Even at this stage, it’s important that they have the right equipment if you want them to progress at the fastest possible rate. The Franklin Sports Teeball Bat is the perfect first bat. It’s ergonomically-designed for small hands and is covered with extra sticky batting tape. Plus, it has an extra-wide (2.625-inches) barrel making it easier for them to find the sweet spot. The bat is made from aluminum alloy because it provides the perfect blend of being super lightweight and powerful enough. Crucially, this bat has also been approved by USA Baseball because it fits all of the appropriate standards for league play. 

Key Features:

Made from aluminum alloy 

Extra-wide barrel (2.625-inches) 

Ergonomic handle for small hands 

USA Baseball approved 

Available in four colors 

Specification:
  • BrandFranklin Sports
  • Model24700
BUY ON AMAZON

11
Farsler Baseball Bat

franklin sports teeball bats

The Farsler Baseball Bat is designed for softballs only. It’s made from aluminum alloy, so it will dent under the pressure of a real baseball. So, whether you’re practicing with softballs or looking for an affordable, lightweight baseball bat for self-defense, this could be the product for you. At 25-inches long, it’s not a full-sized baseball bat, so it’s a great option for practicing with kids. It has a shock-absorbing rubber grip, which stops your hand from slipping when you’re trying to hit one out of the park. Plus, it’s available in four different colors, so you can choose one to match your outfit. 

Key Features:

25-inches in length 

Made from aluminum alloy 

Available in four colors 

Shock-absorbing rubber grip 

Specification:
  • BrandFarsler
BUY ON AMAZON

Baseball Bat Buying Guide and FAQs

Features to Look for in Baseball Bats

Weight - This will majorly impact whether or not it can be used for any league (we’ll cover more of this in the guide below). You want to ensure that the weight of your bat and the length of your bat are close. For example, if you want to be able to use this as the pros would, you would want a bat with a twenty-six ounce weight, and no more than a twenty-nine inch length.

Length - This is another contributing factor to the viability of a baseball bat. The length and weight must be close. For example, if you had a thirty inch bat, you would want the weight to be no less than twenty-seven ounces.

MOI - MOI stands for moment of inertia, and is primarily used in laboratory control tests to measure how well the bat will perform. The maximum potential speed of your bat depends on the MOI rating, which is basically how weight is distributed throughout your bat. That’s why there’s a knob at the bottom of the hilt, to keep the weight even.

Material - Aluminum, or wood? We’ll break down the different wood types, but what you need to know is aluminum bats and wooden bats usually come in at the same cost. Aluminum bats weight less and require less maintenance, but nothing beats holding a wooden baseball bat like the good old days.

Barrel Diameter - The barrel diameter may determine a small advantage or disadvantage, but most baseball bat manufacturers are aware of this. We’ll break down the reasons why the diameter affects your purchase decision, but it’s something you need to be on the lookout for.

How to Properly Maintain and Take Care of Baseball Bats

Good news: if you have an aluminum bat, you’ve got far less maintenance to worry about than if you own a wooden one. In short, you have to maintain two things: your handle, and the barrel of your bat.

For aluminum bats, you’ll probably have a dense rubber handle. Rubber starts to split and get damaged when you keep it in alternating climates. For instance, if you keep it in the back of the car in triple digit weather and then bring it into the air conditioned house, the rubber isn’t going to react well. Keep it in a fair temperature range.

For wooden bats and the barrels, the number one thing you can do is to get rubbing alcohol and shine it. Sounds crazy, but it helps get those dirt specs off from when you dropped it on the home plate, and remove scuffs and scrapes (to some extent) so you can keep a smooth barrel and hit area.

man playing baseball with baseball bet

Baseball Bat FAQs

Q: What Are the Negative Numbers on a Bat?

A: Quite simply, this number refers to the ratio or difference between the length and weight of a bat. For example, if you had a bat that was thirty-one inches, and only weighed twenty-five ounces, you would see a -6 as the negative number. The reasons for this, which will affect our next topic on BBCOR regulations, is to keep the game as fair as possible for high school, college and major league games.

Q: What is a BBCOR Bat?

A: It stands for Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution, and essentially means that it’s league-appropriate for use. The reason why this certification system exists is because without regulation on bats, you would have an unfair advantage while hitting a ball based on materials. We’ll get into this more in a moment, but know that the difference is not all that great, but when you’re measuring who’s winning or losing, you want to ensure certifications and guidelines are in place.

Q: What Leagues Use BBCOR Bats?

A: Just about all high school and college baseball teams use BBCOR certified bats, as well as the MLB. The truth is, BBCOR ratings have only recently become an issue, and many believe that this certification system is actually ruining the sport. It’s a much tighter grip on the rules and guidelines than we’ve previously seen, and we’re expecting more leagues to adopt this certification requirement as well.

Q: Do Big Barrel Bats Hit Farther?

A: Not really. You’ll find a lot of publications that try to shove a bunch of illegible scientific formula in your face regarding mass and what not, but the truth is, we’re dealing with hard and dense materials to begin with here, so it’s all about your strength and speed.

The more strength you possess, the faster you can swing your bat. Aluminum bats are popular because they’re usually hollow, meaning you have less weight that you’re swinging. Sensibly you can swing it faster, resulting in a harder hit of the ball. But your personal strength is a greater decider of how far you can hit the ball. Two men could stand next to one another, one with a disadvantage based on his barrel size and bat material, and still hit farther than the man with “better” equipment. Larger barrels don’t matter, speed and strength do.

Q: What is the Best Type of Wood for a Bat?

A: You won’t see standard oak when you’re looking at baseball bats. A quality or even subpar quality baseball bat will be made out of either ashwood, maple or birch, and rarely anything else.

To outline why those three woods are chosen, let’s look at the key differences to help you decide what bat material you should get to match your specific needs.

Ashwood isn’t as commonly used anymore ever since maple took the spotlight, but it’s still a great wood. It’s hard, mildly flexible, and rests somewhere in between cost and toughness compared to maple and birch.

Maple is a hard, dense wood that doesn’t quit for anything. Going for a high-end bat that you don’t plan on replacing anytime soon? Maple will hold up.

Birch is a very flexible wood, making it perfect for companies to create bats with. This makes it a little bit cheaper, but also, the flexibility could potentially make these more aerodynamic, depending on how fast you swing.

Q: What is the Difference Between a Baseball Bat and a Softball Bat?

A: It all comes down to the physical makeup, and we’re not just talking about what materials were used to build it. You have to look at the overall weight, the length of the bat, and the circumference of the end. The number one thing that will set apart baseball bats and softball bats is the length. You might be surprised to find out that softball bats are usually a little bit longer than baseball bats, on average by about 2”.

Softball bats have shorter barrels, but wider diameters. This means that your swing has more power behind it since you’re using less weight to pull it at the hilt, and a wider area to hit a softball, which is much larger than a standard baseball. Keep in mind that softball bats can come in similar lengths and sizes to baseball bats, which is why we have regulations to help separate them.

Q: Can I Use a Baseball Bat in a Softball Match?

A: Just tossing it around in your backyard? Sure, but it’s not going to fly with little league or if you’re trying to practice for the company game. Baseball bats are designed specifically for baseball, based on league regulations, and the previous attributes we mentioned that define a physical difference. It’s also important to note that if you’re practicing to actually play against other teams or against friends, using a softball bat for practice and then switching to a baseball bat is going to throw off your center of gravity while swinging. Know the differences, and practice them accordingly.

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