Once you have verified what bat standard your player will be required to meet (see choosing the proper bat standard/certificaion page HERE), it will be important to chose the appropriate bat for your player. Most players in the 9-10 year old age group will do well with a 29-31 inch bat. Smaller players will want a shorter, lighter bat to maximize bat speed and bat control. A larger, stronger player will want a longer heavier bat.
I have included heavier bats with a -8 or -9 drop which will be utilized for stronger, power hitters. The rest of the bats I have listed are a -10 drop which improves bat speed and affords better bat control. The baseball bat sizing chart will help guide you in making the proper bat choice.
Height and weight differences among players in this age range can vary significantly. Let’s talk about how to make sure you have the proper length and weight bat for your player.
Length:
A simple test is to have your player hold their dominant arm out to their side. Measuring from the middle of their chest to the tip of their fingers will give you a good indication as to what length bat they should use.
Weight:
a smaller, contact hitter will want a lighter bat (higher drop i.e. -10) so that they can swing the bat with speed, making good contact. A larger, stronger hitter will be able to handle a heavier bat (lower drop i.e. -8) for power a good test to see if your player can handle a heavier bat is to have them hold the bat straight out to their side, with their dominant arm (parallel with the ground). If they can hold it straight out for 45 seconds without the end of the bat dropping, then they can handle the weight of that bat. You do not want your player to have a bat that is too heavy. This will cause slow bat speed, resulting in more foul balls, which can lead to frustration and loss of interest in the game.
Remember that drop is the number of ounces that are subtracted from the length of the bat to determine the bat’s weight. Most players in the 11-12 year age group will want a bat that typically has a “drop 10” (-10) For example, if your child has a bat that’s 30˝ and a drop of -10, then subtract 10 from the length and you’ll find that the bat has a weight of 20 ounces. You will have the option to select a length and weight on each of the links listed below. Again, use the baseball bat sizing chart will guide you.
Diameter:
- USA approved bats with a diameter of 2 1/4″, 2 1/2″ or 2 5/8″ are acceptable. I have featured the more popular 2 5/8″ bats below.
- USSSA approved bats with a 2 5/8 or 2 3/4″ diameter are acceptable. I have featured the more popular 2 3/4″ bats below.
- BBCOR approved bats must feature the BBCOR certification. Senior League: (Ages 13-16) Only BBCOR certified baseball bats with a 2 5/8″ barrel diameter and a -3 length to weight ratio are permitted. The maximum allowed length is 36 inches.
Your players enjoyment of the game will be greatly enhanced if they have safe, properly sized equipment. You can also read more detailed information about proper baseball equipment sizing in my article Baseball gear for kids – Making the right choice
Please visit my other baseball equipment pages for 9-10 year old players by clicking the following links