What Bat Should I Buy?

I constantly get asked what bat should I buy? It doesn't matter if it's for youth baseball, girls fastpitch softball or men's, women's or co-ed softball.

[If you know of anyone asking this question, please forward this newsletter on to them.]

I get questions like these: Hi coach. Trying to decide what bat to get my daughter. She is in 10u competetive [sic] fastpitch softball. She has had her current bat for almost 3 years and I think is starting to grow out of it. Her current bat is a (-10) 29" 19 oz. She is 5'1" and weighs about 78 lbs. Was looking at a 2013 easton fs1 (-10) 30" 20 oz or a 2014 demarini sb6 sprite 31" 20 oz. Any preference out of those 2 bats or do you have any other suggestions? Thanks for your help.

or My daughter weighs about 165 n is 5.8 in height. What size bat is a good size for her

And it goes this way for adults and for youth baseball.

Here's What I'd like to Say

Right away, if you've read any of my materials in the past you'll notice there's a potential problem with 1 of the variables, which leads me to my main point and that is it is more important that you have the fundamentals of a great swing down first, before choosing a bat.

A second point that is closely related to that is that once you start learning and practicing the proper swing, this will change what you should or would like to swing as a bat, so that if you buy a bat that might work now, while you're trying to get your swing better, it might not be the right bat for you (or your child) once you've perfected your swing.

So what I want to direct you to first is make sure your swing is right.

Many of you have taken advantage of my email hitting lessons, but if you haven't please get my Free Hitting Lessons,

If you feel pretty comfortable with the steps, but want to take it to the next level, or need to see the proper swing mechanics in action, then get my hitting video.

After you have mastered the fundamentals of hitting, so much so that you can swing the proper way, then you can start addressing the issues, like bat speed, end loaded vs. evenly distributed weight, any weight drop from -3 to -13 (and even some that are no weight drop or even +1), pop off the bat, how long until the pop goes out of a bat.

Then on top of that, add manufacturer preference and the factors many parents care about, price, and the factor most kids care about, how cool it looks (or the bat Johnny just hit a home run with).

So if you want more on the topic, I wrote a page answering many questions more specifically on what bat should I buy here from questions I have received in the past (but for the most part, it still seems to be the same answers, years later).

I'm still looking on the best ways to help you

Just hit reply to this email and tell me if I could send you some

* email hitting tips,

* show you videos of good swings

* maybe analyze your swing for you

* cover a specific part of hitting

* anything your heart desires,

I really want to know.

Would You Like to Get Hitting Lessons from Me?

If so, is that person helping you hit better?

If you're not getting lessons now, why not?

Is it because you can't find a hitting coach in your area?

Is it because you don't trust the one you can find to help get you to the next level?

Are you near Ventura, CA (I've had students travel up to 100 miles to see me)? If that's the case you can call me at 805-642-5827 and I can give you personal lessons.

Would you like me to give you lessons via video chat? (Skype or Google Hangouts)

Would you like me to come to your area and put on a clinic (this would probably need to be for 100 kids or more).

Here's the information about my putting on a clinic for your league.

Again, if you have any questions or comments you can call me at 805-642-5827 or write to me via e-mail.

To see other hitting tips in past newsletters, go to the past issues of my hitting newsletter page.

Thanks for reading and talk to you next time.

Coach Andy

6801 Dove St. Ventura, CA 93003

805-642-5827