Information for Players

Choosing a Bat

A bat should feel comfortable and well balanced.

The balance of a bat comes from the proportion of weight to length. When you find the correct balance, the result will be a quick, controlled swing.

TIP: Select a bat as long and heavy as you can control.

There is a balancing point - a trade off - to be made between the weight of the bat (which gives it momentum) and the length of the bat (which controls the elapsed time of the swing).

A bat that is too heavy will result in a slow swing, loss of balance during the swing, loss of optical vision, and a bad path as you swing at the ball.

If the bat is too light you may not be able to feel the bat head. If you can't feel where the bat head is, you will suffer a loss of control. In addition, when you do swing - your lead shoulder will always open too soon.

Choose your bat based on your physical strength and your hand size. The stronger you are, the bigger and longer the bat you can handle. Never use a bat that feels too heavy or is weighted too much at the end.

Often on youth league teams the only bats available are too heavy. If this is the case hitters should experiment with each bat by choking it at different points to find the "balance point," the position where the bat feels comfortable in the hitter's hand. By varying the position of the hands on the bat handle, a hitter can find and mark the balance point with a piece of tape where the bottom part of the lower hand is positioned on the bat. The tape will remind the hitter where to hold the bat each time, thus increasing bat control. A bat is not always controlled best by holding it down on the knob.

Try this when selecting a bat:

A coach (parent) grips the bat at the barrel end and extends it toward the hitter. The hitter places the bat across the palm of his bottom hand with the palm facing upward and then wraps fingers and thumb around the grip in a comfortable position. The coach (parent) then releases the bat.

If the hitter cannot control the barrel end of the bat - If it drops more than one inch or two - It is too heavy, too long, or both.

The grip of the bottom hand should be firm, with most of the grip strength coming from the middle two fingers.

To test length the hitter should be able to hold the bat with his bottom hand at the knob and swing hit beside his leg without it touching the ground. If the bat is hitting the ground the bat may be too long.

Note - The OBA has rules governing which bats may be used; please review the rules and allowances below prior to purchasing any bats to be used in OBA play.

Bat Rules - OBA Constitution - (P2-5)

Baseball Ontario enforces the following rules in regards to bats:

In Minor Midget, Midget, Junior, and Senior, only wood bats may be used. These are subject to provisions in the Official Rules of Baseball.

In Major Bantam, metal bats may be used. They may not exceed 2 3/4" diameter, and the weight: length differential may not exceed 5 oz. For example, the minimum weight of a 34" bat is 29 ounces.

Please note there are no restrictions on bats at the Minor Bantam level.

ENFORCEMENT:

A player using a bat that violates this rule shall be declared out AND ejected under Rule 6.06(d). All runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.

All bats must clearly show the manufacturers' original marking of length-weight differential. If not, the bat will be considered illegal.

Any bat declared illegal under this rule shall be removed from the game and will be returned to the offending team after the tournament.

Umpires are to discuss this issue at ground rules and check and remove any illegal bats before the game.

In Bantam Girls, Minor Bantam, Peewee, Mosquito and Rookie Ball, metal bats are permitted with no restrictions beyond the provisions of the Official Rules of Baseball.

NOTES:

For the purposes of the rule outlined above, the following are to be considered wood bats:

Bamboo bats
Composite wood bats
All BESR certified bats are allowed in Baseball Ontario play, with the understanding the list may be modified from time to time. Solid wood bats are always approved for Baseball Ontario play.

Please visit the NCAA web site for the list of BESR certified bats

Please email all questions and comments to Chair of Coaching and Player Development