The 9 Best Youth Baseball Bats
This wiki has been updated 28 times since it was first published in June of 2016. If you have a little slugger in the family, how about treating him or her to one of these youth baseball bats? They are specifically designed to be short and light enough for young players to swing comfortably, yet are tough enough to handle plenty of abuse at daily practice sessions. They are available in high-tech, alloy, or composite materials to suit your child's preference and league rules. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Franklin Sports Venom
2. Easton Speed
3. Louisville Slugger Omaha
Editor's Notes
September 23, 2020:
It's important to remember that even though these bats are designed with certain ages in mind, you still need to supervise children when they play any type of sport. Whizzing balls and swinging bats have the potential to cause physical harm, which is why it's so crucial that you enforce safety rules during playtime and practice. If you think the kid in your life might be better suited to a different position on the field, consider investing in a youth catcher set instead of — or in addition to — a bat.
The DeMarini Voodoo, DeMarini CF7, and Easton Mako have all been cut due to fulfillment issues, while the Easton S500 got the ax after we reviewed and confirmed complaints about the bat’s effectiveness and durability. Additionally, the Rawlings Threat has been replaced with an updated model. The Ortiz34 Homerun, Mizuno B20, Easton Speed, and Franklin Sports Venom are the newest entries, chosen for their high-performance designs and comfortable feel.
April 04, 2019:
In creating this list, the most important factors considered were performance, durability, and size. Several of the products included here come in a variety lengths, widths, and weights, because there are tons of kids for whom a standard "youth" size bat may be either too small or too large. The Combat Maximum was removed due to quality complaints from a sizable portion of users. In its place, we've added the Rawlings Threat and an updated version of the DeMarini Voodoo, which feature strong composite and aluminum bodies, respectively, and come in a range of sizes. DeMarini, Louisville Slugger, and Easton are the top manufacturers of youth baseball bats, which is why multiple products from each have been selected for this list.
Special Honors
Louisville Slugger Ash This option has a simple design without any of the graphics that so often adorn kids' bats. It looks like a classic piece of sporting equipment right out of the 1950s. It measures 26 inches long, has a non-cupped end, and a natural matte finish. If you've been looking for an affordable, timeless option, your search may end here. dickssportinggoods.com
Rawlings Blue Available in blue or pink, this 24-inch, 12-ounce bat is great for young children. It's made from a single piece of alloy metal that can withstand day after day of vigorous playing. Best of all, it's among the least expensive models on the market. walmart.com
4. Marucci Cat 7
5. Louisville Slugger Catalyst
6. Rawlings Threat
7. Ortiz34 Homerun
8. Easton S1
9. Mizuno B20
Taber is a writer from Santa Monica, CA, with a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of California, San Diego. After completing her degree, she began writing and editing copy for a host of high-traffic e-commerce websites. Her areas of expertise include the beauty, style, pet, and home products categories, and she has plenty of experience covering literature and art, too. Her personal interests in crafting and decorating inform her writing and -- she hopes -- add a good bit of insight to her work. Outside of copywriting, she is a reporter and columnist at a Los Angeles community newspaper and is currently pursuing a master of fine arts in creative writing.