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5 Best Wood Youth Bats

Best Wood Youth Bats

There are many advantages to using wood bats, particularly for youths. Wood bats help players develop their skill and technique since a player must adapt to use both their arms and body to ensure a good swing. Thus, we’ve prepared a list of the best wood youth bats on the market for you.

It is commonly said that a wooden bat is prone to breaking during a hard hit, but a quality bat can send a ball straight for the fences without doing any damage to the bat itself.

Wood bats tend to have proper weighting and balancing to ensure a proper swing. In turn, youths who use a wood bat pick up greater barrel awareness, which allows youths to learn the best strike zone grasping techniques so that the player has a greater chance of hitting the ball with the sweet spot.

Of course, knowing what benefits a wooden bat provides is not enough. It is important that you also know which wood youth bats work best. The list below highlights our choices for seriously powerful and trustworthy bats.

1. Marucci JB19 Youth Maple Wood Baseball Bat

Marucci JB19 Maple Woods Youth Bat


This posh and well-crafted Marucci bat combines a thick handle with a traditional barrel, ensuring the player will be in complete control. It’s one of the brand’s most balanced and fastest swinging bats, available in various sizes from 26 to 31 inches. That’s great since it enables the player to pick up the perfect size for them.

The product is made from maple, with every bat bone rubbed to ensure the ultimate wood density. The only downside is that the bat isn’t recommended for beginners – it’s best suited for players with some experience in hitting wood. However, since the bat is made with the very same specifications as the adult version of the JB19, the transition, later on, should be more seamless.

The Marucci Maple wood bat offers a 30-day warranty, so you can be confident in the quality of the materials used in manufacturing. If you’re looking for an elegant bat that will help young players refine their skills and reach their full potential, this one is a great choice.

2. Rawlings Adirondack Youth Wood Bat

Rawlings Adirondack Wood Youth Bats

Similar to the Louisville Slugger Youth 225 Bat, the Rawlings Adirondack Youth Wood Bat is also made from ash and features a nice black finish. However, this bat also boasts a laser-engraved knob for a sweeter appearance that any youth is sure to enjoy. When it comes to youth wood bats, this one is capable of withstanding the true test of time thanks to its solid construction.

The bat features a 1-inch handle that is easy for smaller hands to grasp while a medium-sized barrel ensures a greater chance of hitting a home run. The bat is available in varying sizes ranging from 27 inches to 31 inches for youths of all ages. This bat is sure to improve the swing technique of your young hitter thanks to the balanced feel that it provides.

Despite the fact that the Rawlings Adirondack Youth Wood Bat is somewhat on the thin side, it offers incredible craftsmanship. Although the ashwood ensures that the bat is lightweight, it offers enough weight to help young children develop their batting skills. Overall, this bat is a great choice for any young player looking to improve their gameplay.

3. BB-W Wooden Baseball Bat

BB-W Wood Youth Bats

The BB-W Wooden Baseball Bat by Barnett is perfect from the youngest of youth players to the oldest thanks to its incredible size range. Bat sizes include 24 inches, 28 inches, 30 inches, and 32 inches in length. The bat itself is constructed of quality composite wood, which offers solid swinging capabilities as well as the ability to send a baseball flying for the fences.

The bat is relatively lightweight and smaller in size compared to many other youth bats. It is approximately 2 inches in diameter at the end of the barrel, which may make it seem small in stature, but it is big enough to knock quite a few balls out of the park. A relatively thin handle makes this bat easy for young hands to hold onto while they practice so they can bring their A-game to the playing field.

BB-W Wooden Baseball Bat features a natural finish, which gives it a traditional appearance that is perfect for avid baseball fans of any age. Although the bat is small enough that it is easy to handle, it is also sturdy enough that it allows players to improve their techniques. The thin handle makes it easy for players to determine where the strike zone is so they can find the bat’s sweet spot without issues.

4. Louisville Slugger WB125YB-BW Baseball Bat

Louisville Slugger Youth Wood Bats

The Louisville Slugger WB125YB-BW Baseball Bat is everything a youth player could want from a contemporary-looking bat. The bat, which is made from ashwood, looks incredible with a wine-colored finish on the handle and a black finish on the barrel. Part of what makes this bat so fantastic is that it is the perfect choice for young baseball players. The bat is available in two sizes, which include a 27-inch bat weighing in at 26 ounces, and a 29-inch bat weighing 28 ounces.

This bat is a tad heavier than some bats that are similar in size, however, it offers incredible balance, and the weight of the bat allows players to develop some of the best swinging techniques possible. By improving their swinging technique, youths can gain a competitive edge on the field that allows them a better chance of hitting a home run.

The Louisville Slugger WB125YB-BW Baseball Bat is made of ashwood. Ash is a far more flexible wood than other, more traditionally used woods such as maple. However, the flexibility of the wood provides a more forgiving sweet spot to ensure the bat does not split when your child cracks a ball. In addition, the sound the ball makes when it connects with the bat will have your child grinning from ear to ear.

5. Louisville Slugger 2015 Youth 125 Ash Wood Tee Ball Bat

Louisville Slugger Ash Youth Wood Bats

When it comes to youth wood bats, the Louisville Slugger 2015 Youth 125 Ash Wood Tee Ball Bat is where it’s at. The bat features a stunning natural finish for a more traditional baseball bat look that is sure to make any little slugger happy. The bat is constructed out of carefully selected ash lumber to ensure a solid, high-quality construction.

One benefit of this bat is that it is only 26 inches in length, which makes it the perfect bat for any young tee-ball player looking to improve their gameplay. It is a superb choice as a starter bat for even the youngest of players since it is relatively lightweight and easy to handle. Since the bat is made from ashwood, it provides enough flexibility to ensure that your young player is able to make good use of the bat’s sweet spot.

Hitting a ball and landing a home run should be no problem considering that the bat is 2 inches in diameter. A smaller-sized handle ensures that tiny hands can grasp the bat with ease. This well-made bat is a great choice if you are looking for either a good practice bat or a T-ball bat, especially considering its affordable price. Overall, there is almost no way you can go wrong when choosing this bat for young baseball players.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to do anything to the bat after I purchase it?

A lot of enthusiasts put their bats through what is called a “breaking” period, which essentially means putting it to the test by swinging it against a baseball several dozen times. If you just got your composite baseball bat out of the wrapper and it feels off, then make sure to break it. Aluminum bats don’t need this.

The general rule of thumb is to rotate the bat about a quarter whenever you hit the baseball to ensure that it strikes a different part each time. Another good piece of advice is to only use about half strength when swinging at the baseball to ensure you don’t put so much pressure into it that it cracks before reaching its full potential. After you break in the bat, then it will be significantly more sturdy.

An estimated total of between 100 to 200 hits needs to be achieved for the bat to be fully broken in.

What is the best wood for youth bats?

Regardless of whether or not you’re buying a youth bat or meant for an adult, there are 3 main types of wood that are used in the industry. The traditional choice is ashwood, since it was exclusively used throughout the world until sometime around 1998, when we started experimenting with other woods such as maple and birch. Maple has since become favored, however, due to its extreme durability.

  • Ash – The father of baseball bats and the wood from which most of them used to be made. Ashwood is very flexible but features little density, ruining them after heavy use. It’s known to be less performing than maple and far more prone to breaking.
  • Birch – A mix between ash and maple. A decent middle ground between flexibility and density, making birch a solid all-rounder.
  • Maple – The stiffest and hardest wood commonly used in baseballs. Chosen by professionals due to its extraordinary durability.

If you’d like to find the best wood youth bats for yourself, then picking your desired type would be a wise place to start.

Final Thoughts

With so many bats available on the market, it can seem like a daunting task to try and find the right one. Fortunately, the list above will help you get started with some great starter bats for young players. Each one features its own unique benefits that your children are sure to love. Better yet, each bat listed comes at an affordable price that parents are sure to love.

There should be no reason why you should have to break the bank just to ensure that your child receives a quality youth bat to play with. Although there might not be any warranties available on the bats mentioned above, their solid build should ensure plenty of playtime without the worry of cracking and breaking.

Of course, you should keep in mind that the chances of splitting a bat are always likely with wood, but the better the build of the bat and the more solid the construction, the less likely it is that your little slugger will splinter it to pieces.

All-in-all, the bats mentioned above will provide your child with plenty of playtime both on and off the field while also improving their swinging technique thanks to their balanced weight.

5 Best BBCOR Bats

Best BBCOR Bats

There are many factors that go into designing a great baseball bat. Size is important, price is important, weight is important, even material is important. These can come down to player preference in many cases, but knowing what you want and what has the performance you need is important. And then there’s another thing that is important. You need to know whether a bat holds the BBCOR designation before you buy it.

BBCOR stands for “Bat Ball Coefficient of Restitution” and is the standard when measuring baseball bats. It measures something called a trampoline effect and has various measurements involved in testing. This ensures that all bats are going to give the same performance, whether wooden or otherwise. As such, having a BBCOR bat is important for anyone in high school or college baseball teams, among others. Bats with this designation will have a stamp that proclaims it right on the bat. Make sure you always look for that when buying a new bat.

Because BBCOR is so popular and required in many instances, there is a huge amount bats out there with the stamp. Finding one that fits you and your needs can be daunting. That’s why we’re here, though. We researched dozens of BBCOR bats, so you don’t have to. We’ve found the best and brightest of the equipment. We’ll break down the warranties, feel of the bat, design, special features, and more. Details that affect usage will be mentioned in order to give you a good basis for comparison. So let’s get the ball rolling!

Easton 2014 S500 BB14S500 BBCOR Baseball Bat (-3) Mizuno MZE243 Bamboo Elite Wood Baseball Bat – Navy/Red – BBCOR Certified Marucci Cat 6 BBCOR Baseball Bat Louisville Slugger 2016 Omaha 516 Bbcor (-3) Baseball Bat Rawlings Adult 2016 Velo Balanced Bbcor -3 Baseball Bat
7050 aircraft alloy composition Bamboo and glass fiber composition One-piece alloy composition 7U1 alloy composition 5150 alloy composition
31″, 32″, 33″, 34″ sizes available 31″, 32″, 33″, 34″ sizes available 31″, 32″, 33″, 34″ sizes available 31″, 32″, 33″, 34″ sizes available 31″, 32″, 33″, 34″ sizes available
Balanced swing weight Slight end load swing weight Balanced swing weight Balanced swing weight Balanced swing weight
One year warranty 120 day warranty One year warranty 30 day performance promise & one year warranty One year warranty
Check Price Check Price Check Price Check Price Check Price
  • Easton 2014 S500 BB14S500 BBCOR Baseball Bat (-3)
  • 7050 aircraft alloy composition
  • 31″, 32″, 33″, 34″ sizes available
  • Balanced swing weight
  • One year warranty
  • Price: $
  • Mizuno MZE243 Bamboo Elite Wood Baseball Bat – Navy/Red – BBCOR Certified
  • Bamboo and glass fiber composition
  • 31″, 32″, 33″, 34″ sizes available
  • Slight end load swing weight
  • 120 day warranty
  • Price: $
  • Marucci Cat 6 BBCOR Baseball Bat
  • One-piece alloy composition
  • 31″, 32″, 33″, 34″ sizes available
  • Balanced swing weight
  • One year warranty
  • Price: $$
  • Louisville Slugger 2016 Omaha 516 Bbcor (-3) Baseball Bat
  • 7U1 alloy composition
  • 31″, 32″, 33″, 34″ sizes available
  • Balanced swing weight
  • 30 day performance promise & one year warranty
  • Price: $$
  • Rawlings Adult 2016 Velo Balanced Bbcor -3 Baseball Bat
  • 5150 alloy composition
  • 31″, 32″, 33″, 34″ sizes available
  • Balanced swing weight
  • One year warranty
  • Price: $$$

Easton S500 3 BBCOR Adult Baseball Bat

41vN1MRCsFL._SL250_Easton is a brand that is well-known and represented on nearly all baseball fields across the nation. The S500-3 is one of the best BBCOR bats out there, while not being overly flashy or showy. It simply gets the job done. Those who want an impressive look to their bat may not be impressed but if you just want to smash balls all day long, check out this Easton. It has all the trimmings that are needed without all the fat, which is something that many really love.

Like all BBCOR bats out there, the drop weight for the S500-3 is a -3. It has a standard barrel diameter of 2 5/8”, as well. The Easton 5500-3 comes in various sizes including 31”, 32”, 33”, and 34”. These are pretty standard but it’s always nice to know you have options.  It is constructed of 7050 aircraft alloy, something that gives a great swing speed and makes it stand out against the pack. As far as the handle goes, it is thin and tapered with an all sports grip that people love. It seems to be a good fit for nearly everyone who has used it.

This bat has an understated design that is mostly blacks and greys, but uses yellow for highlights. It’s classy and not very overwhelming if that’s something you enjoy in your choice of bat. It’s a solid bat for the first time player or someone who has experience but not as much cash. You aren’t going to have complaints, either way.

Pros:

  • Constructed of 7050 aircraft alloy for quick swing
  • All sports grip to keep it steady
  • Balanced swing weight
  • Cheapest bat on the list
  • One-year warranty

Cons:

  • Older style bat, might turn some off

Mizuno Bamboo Elite MZE243

2This bat is billed as “the ultimate training bat” and it’s not hard to see why. Made by Mizuno, a company with years of experience engineering bamboo bats. This bat in particular is a combination of bamboo and glass fiber, which makes it super durable and able to stand up to anything. It also offers a sanded handle to give a better grip than a typical bamboo bat would. These things make it a bit new and different, which some really enjoy and some don’t.

The drop weight is the standard -3 of a BBCOR certified bat. It comes in a 31”, 32”, 33” and 34”. It comes with a standard diameter for a BBCOR and is approved for collegiate play. This is definitely the right option for someone looking for a BBCOR but wanting to hold onto some wood. It’s a really nice design and stands up to the competitors around it. It has the needed facets and bumps them up a notch with the wooden style.

The colors on this one are red for the handle and blue for the rest of the bat. It’s pretty subtle and unassuming to me, not flashy at all, just a typical look for a bat. But it doesn’t need to look like a flashy bat. The bamboo and glass fiber makes it interesting from the get-go. For those who like something a bit more unique than the typical, this bat is going to make you joyous. Check it out and see what I mean. You’ll love it, if you’re like me.

Pros:

  • 120-day warranty and one-time replacement
  • Unique bamboo and glass fiber composition
  • Sanded handle for better grip
  • Decent price

Cons:

  • May require batting tape for grip rather than pine tar
  • Marks up pretty easily

Marucci Cat 6

21xCHLcJD8L._SL250_The Marucci Cat 6 is a great bat with some astounding features. It has a 2 5/8” barrel which is extended for a bigger sweet spot and maximum performance. It has a typical drop weight of -3. This bat is similar to the ones above in that it comes in sizes from 31” up to 34”. It is made of an alloy and is one piece to give a feel that reminds you of the good old days. It’s known for being both durable and having amazing performance ability. Another perk in this one is that it incorporates a patented anti-vibration knob to eliminate sting. It also has optimized thickness of the barrel-end wall to give up some fast and furious swings.

The look of the bat is extremely understated. It’s white with a gray handle and the name of the company and style is emblazoned on it in red. Other than that, no big graphics or anything of that nature. The bat is what it is and doesn’t need extra help from graphics. That said, it does look nice. I think if you prefer something a bit minimalistic, this bat could take you there. The colors look nice together and everything comes together as it should. Definitely a fan of this one for that.

Pros:

  • Patented anti-vibration technology
  • One-piece alloy construction
  • Extended barrel profile
  • 12-month manufacturer’s warranty

Cons:

  • White finish gets dirty easily
  • Higher price

Louisville Slugger Omaha 516

31EXvbrmWCL._SL250_I’m sure nobody is surprised to see an offering from Louisville Slugger on the list as it is one of the most well-known bat makers there is. It comes with a -3 drop weight and has a 2 5/8” barrel, as do the rest of the 5 best BBCOR bats. In addition to this, the bat has a tapered handle and features Lizards Skins grip which gives more softness than the typical bat you might be. Also of note is the 7U1 Alloy which makes it the lightest of Omaha’s bats, ever. It has a huge sweet spot and thinner walls due to the flex band inside the barrel.

This bat is very graphically influenced with everything from black and white to red and yellow making an appearance. It is flashy and would be great for someone who enjoys that sort of equipment. It’s going to stand out and stand out well. That can be great for some but maybe not all. In either case, you’re never going to lose it with all that color going on! I can see these being popular in some crowds and for good reason, even if it’s not my personal taste.

Pros:

  • Lightest Omaha BBCOR to date
  • Flex band technology
  • 12-month warranty
  • Lizard Skins grip
  • Large sweet spot

Cons:

  • Price is a bit higher than others

Rawlings Velo

5121onTcnWL._SL1001_Last on the list is from Rawlings and it packs a hefty amount of features that make it special. This bat comes in the typical bat lengths from 31” up to 34”. It has a -3 length to weight ratio, as expected. It also has a standard barrel diameter of 2 5/8”. The Velo is one of the best BBCOR bats out there and offers an alloy handle that gives a grounded feel at the plate This bat is known for being balanced and that partially comes from the composite end cap used in the design of the bat. It also features precision optimized performance than gives more flex in the barrel and expands the size of the sweet stop. This leads to a bat that will not let you down when you’re out there swinging.

The Velo is mainly silver and blue but there is a bit of yellow in spots. It’s a nice looking but not overly flashy bat. Anyone who likes blue is bound to like it as the largest surface area is a navy blue color. There’s nothing really special about the looks, otherwise. It’s another of those bats that puts its features where they should be, in the actual bat performance. In this case, the look isn’t bad and won’t dissuade people from buying this particular bat.

Pros:

  • Huge sweet spot
  • Weight is well distributed
  • Very lightweight feel
  • Maximum strength and ping
  • 12-month warranty

Cons:

  • This is the most expensive bat on our list

There you have it, The 5 Best BBCOR Bats on the market. You are now informed to make an educated purchasing decision.