Guide Note

The baseball bat is as varied and physically distinguishable as a golfer's club. Bats are modifiable by weight, length, material and barrel features. Players most often choose their bat based on arm strength and arm length.

Fast Facts

1. First manufacturer was Hillerich & Sons
2. Common Uses: Essential piece of equipment for the game of baseball.
3. Made from: Maple or Ash tree wood, aluminum, plastic
4. Price Range: $19.00 - $150.00

The game of baseball first used sticks as a piece of equipment. When the game became more organized the sport started to assign specifications for the bat. At first it was more general with the only limitations being that the bat must be made of wood and should be 2.5 inches at it's thickest part. The first company to manufacture the bat was a Kentucky based wood-turning shop named Hillerich & Sons. The bats they produced were named the Louisville Slugger. As the game evolved, so did the vital piece of equipment. Today, the dimensions of the professional baseball bat are very specific, with the thickest part of the bat being 2.75 inches and the length no more than 42 inches. In the later years as the game became an American institution durability became a concern, especially at the amateur level. Aluminum metal bats were made as a less costly alternative, and is now a staple in little league, high school and college level baseball.

A baseball bat is a piece of equipment that must be determined through personal preference. Things like weight and length of a bat should be tested out by each player. In general, heavier bats provide more power, while lighter bats provide more swing speed. Length of the bat obviously provides more reach, but it's important to find a hitter's sweet spot in a swing to determine whether length is actually needed. Depending on the level of play, league rules have very specific acceptable dimensions for a bat. Consider those factors when making an investment.

1. Louisville Slugger
2. Easton
3. Nike
4. DeMarini
5. Rawlings
6. Akadema