Choosing an ideal stick
Success at the plate often comes down to making solid contact every at-bat. To do this, it is important to use the right stick for you.
- Baseball: below
- Softball: Buying Guide for Softball Bats
Stick length:
Stick length is measured in inches from cap to end of barrel. We recommend that you start with several poles in order to find the ideal length/weight combination for you! You can also use the following table to help you determine your ideal size:
| Weight | Size | |||||||||
|
|
3'-3'4" | 3'5"-3'8" | 3'9"-4' | 4'1"-4'4" | 4'5"-4'8" | 4'9"-5' | 5'1"-5'4" | 5'5"-5'8" | 5'9"-6' | 6'1" + |
| 60 lbs and - | 26" | 27" | 28" | 29" | 29" | |||||
| 61 - 70 | 27" | 27" | 28" | 29" | 30" | 30" | ||||
| 71 - 80 | 28" | 28" | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | ||||
| 81 - 90 | 28" | 29" | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | ||||
| 91 - 100 | 28" | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | 31" | ||||
| 101 - 110 | 29" | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | 31" | 32" | |||
| 111 - 120 | 29" | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | 31" | 32" | |||
| 121 - 130 | 29" | 30" | 30" | 30" | 31" | 32" | 32" | 33" | ||
| 131 - 140 | 29" | 30" | 30" | 31" | 31" | 32" | 32" | 33" | ||
| 141 - 150 | 30" | 30" | 31" | 31" | 32" | 33" | 33" | |||
| 151 - 160 | 30" | 31" | 31" | 31" | 32" | 33" | 33" | 33" | ||
| 161 - 170 | 31" | 31" | 32" | 32" | 33" | 33" | 34" | |||
| 171 - 180 | 32" | 32" | 33" | 34" | 34" | |||||
| 180 + | 33" | 33" | 34" | 34'' | ||||||
The method we use most to help you choose the ideal stick is to go by age and level. Here is the charter we use:
| Most popular by age and level | |||||||
| Age | 5 - 7 | 8 - 9 | 10 - 11 | 12 - 13 | 14 - 15 | 16 - 17 - 18 | Adult |
| Level | Rally Cap | Atom | Mosquito | Pee-wee | Bantam | Midget | - |
| Length | 24" - 26" | 26" - 28" | 28" to 30" | 30" - 31" | 31" - 32" | 32" - 33" | 32" to 34" |
*The tables above are for example only. The best thing will always be to jump in and test different combinations to find the best one for you .
Be careful of false beliefs!
Many baseball players mistakenly believe that a longer bat automatically means more home plate coverage when this is not always true. A longer club also means heavier weight (or at least a feeling that it's heavier) which can slow your swing and cause you to miss inside throws. Some professional MLB players play with a 32 inch bat out of preference when they could very well play with a 33 or 34 inch bat. So you should always have home plate coverage, your distance from home plate and your swing in mind when choosing your bat.
Weight of the stick:
The weight of the stick is measured in ounces (oz) and is often linked to its differential (“drop” in English), i.e. its length in inches compared to its weight in ounces. For example, a 32-inch, 22-ounce club has a differential of -10.
General rule: the more the level increases (young to pro), the lower the differential (heavier weight).
Players with less experience will generally use a lighter stick (-13 to -10) to have more control while experienced players will use a heavier stick to maximize power. To know if a stick is too heavy for you, you can look at your swing: a stick that is too heavy is more difficult to swing (barrel “ dragging” behind). A stick that is too light is obviously easier to swing, but the player could generate more power with a heavier stick. The goal here is to find the happy medium - the heaviest stick that allows for an easy swing.
Baseball Quebec rules to remember:
- 15U (Bantam) AA players must play with a bat with a maximum barrel of 2 5/8'' and a differential of -5 (USSSA 1.15 BPF or USA Baseball) or a differential of -3 (BBCOR .50).
- 17U (Midget) AAA, 18U (Midget) AA, Junior AA, Junior Elite and Senior AA players must play with a wooden stick.
Difference between sticks
Difference between certifications
- USSSA (1.15 BPF) : This certification measures ball exit speed (BPF stands for Bat Performance Factor). USSSA bats are approved by Baseball Quebec, but cannot be used by players playing under the USA Baseball enclosure. The majority of poles have this certification.
- USA : Bats with the USA Baseball logo can be used during “ Little Leagues ” tournaments. The performance of these sticks is similar to that of wooden sticks - therefore they are less efficient. USA baseball bats are approved by Baseball Quebec for levels that approve USSSA 1.15BPF.
- BBCOR (.50) : These sticks have a lower trampoline effect which is more like a wooden stick (loses energy instead of generating it on contact) in an attempt to equalize the level of play and increase player safety.
Difference between materials:
- Composite : Composite poles are made from a fiber, which makes them more expensive. Their composition reduces vibration during poor contact, offers a larger “sweet spot”, generates greater power and is lighter. On the other hand, they require to be “broken” before offering maximum performance.
- Hybrid : Hybrid sticks have their composite handle (reduces vibrations and lighter) and their aluminum or metal barrel (more durable and less expensive). They are at their full potential right out of the package, but less explosive.
- Alloy : Alloy poles are made from aluminum or a mixture of metals. They are more durable than composite ones, but less explosive than composite ones. The performance of the stick depends on the composition of its alloy.
Difference between a 2-piece and one-piece stick:
- 2-piece : The barrel and handle are connected with a connector that limits vibrations by acting as a shock absorber. The connector also increases the performance of the stick by producing a slight flex during contact.
- One-piece : The rigidity of the stick allows the ball to lose no energy on contact and generate more power.
For any other questions or clarifications, do not hesitate to contact us or visit us in store so that we can help you choose the ideal stick.
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