Q: Do I have to buy a bat in order to play Little League?
A: No. Players often share bats, and GLL has loaners that players can use throughout the season.
Q: What should I know before shopping for a bat?
A: Little League players must use a bat with the USA Baseball stamp on it. USSSA (1.15 BPF) bats are not allowed for use for any Little League game or practice. Bats come in various weights, lengths, and sizes. Use the resources on this page, or in-store assistance to find the right size for your player.
Q: Where can I buy a bat?
A: Local sporting goods stores like Dick's Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, and First Team Sports have a wide selection of new bats. Play It Again Sports is a great option for a used bat. Shopping locally will give you the ability to hold, measure, and swing the bat before purchasing it. You can also find tons of youth bats available at online retailers, and used bats through Facebook Marketplace and other social media platforms.
Q: How much should I expect to spend on a bat?
A: Bat prices range roughly from $50 to $500. The appropriate amount to spend depends on the player's age, skill level, and family finances. If your player is new the sport, focus on an affordable bat that they can swing properly. If they are a seasoned player, and you expect them to continue to play for years to come, maybe then splurge. Don't fall into the trap of assuming that the more expensive the bat, the better the ball player. The right bat will feel right when held and when purchased. An expensive bat that is too heavy to swing correctly is more detrimental to a player's development than buying an inexpensive bat that may not hit the ball as far. At this age, the kids are usually too young/under-developed to notice a difference in distance and speed of a ball hit with different bats.
Q: What are all these numbers (weight, length, drop) on the bat?
A: The key measurements of the bat are it's weight, length, diameter, and "drop". These values can be found printed on the barrel of the bat, and often on the knob. The weight is how much the bat weighs in ounces. The length is the bat's full length from top of the barrel to end of the knob, in inches. The diameter is the size of the barrel. Bats commonly referred to as "big barrel" bats are now legal for use in Little League. The "drop" number indicates the difference between the length and weight of the bat. For instance, a 30in bat that weighs 20 ounces, will have a "-10 drop" rating.
Q: What is the right weight/length/drop for my player?
A: This is not an exact science. We recommend you watch the sizing videos above for suggestions on determining the right size bat. Quick rules of thumb: Stand the bat on its end on the ground and rest your hand on top of the knob. If your palm can reach the knob of the bat while keeping your arm straight, and without bending over, it's the right length. If you can hold the bat with the barrel pointed to the ceiling in one hand while arm is outstretched for 30 seconds without dipping or dropping, then it is the right weight. Little League players are going to want to find a drop rating around -10 in most cases. Teenage players will use -5 or -3 bats.
Q: My player is in the __________ Division this year. What bat does he/she need?
A: If your player is in the T-Ball division, there are very affordable bats sold at a wide-range of retailers that specifically say "T-Ball" on them. These are mostly alloy, light-weight bats. Bats with "T-Ball" stamped on them may only be used in the T-Ball division. Once the player moves up to Coach Pitch, Minors, and Majors, they are going to want to use a non-T-Ball bat. Once players have reached the teenage years and begin playing on the large field for Junior and Senior League, they will replace their Little League bat with a BBCOR, drop -3 or -5 bat. These are the same bats that players will use in Middle and High School sports.