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dirtdawgs
58 Posts |
 Posted - 05/20/2010 : 16:40:13
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| Heard of a lot of kids using hot small barrel bats. What are thepros or cons between large and small barrel? |
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G-Man
326 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2010 : 19:27:46
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Small barrel bats are more aerodynamic than the big barrels and easier to get through the hitting zone. Also its easier to control the bat head on a small barrel bat than a big barrel because of the weight displacement between the barrel sizes. However there is also a drawback to using small barrel bats. In high school and college you are not allowed to use anything smaller than a 5/8 barrel where all small barrels are 1/4.
Learning to control the bat head of a baseball bat is probably one of the most important aspects of hitting. So using a small barrel bat will make that transition more difficult once a player is required to step up to that heavier bat and larger barrel. Too much weight is being placed on producing now. When the weight should be placed on learning proper hitting mechanics and learning how to use the tools of the trade instead of taking shortcuts to success.
So in short my personal opinion is to use a baseball bat that is at least 5/8 barrel with as much weight as a particular player can control. |
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Yankeeclipper
10 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2010 : 08:55:48
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A few questions and comments:
Does your son use a small [2 1/4] barrel bat? Why do rec-ball associations not allow big-barrel bats for kids 12u? Why doesn't Little League allow bats with diameters greater than 2 1/4 for the 12u World Series? Many players who I have known throughout the years and who played rec ball and All-Stars for their associations [Babe Ruth, Little League, Pony, Dixie, etc]definitely did not seem to have difficulties adapting to big-barrel bats when they reached age 13! When kids reach the age at which they are mandated to use the heavier bats, they will be strong enough to adapt. Do you have any scientific proof that kids who use smaller barrel bats at ages 10-12 have difficulty adapting to the drop-3 bats?
quote:
Originally posted by G-Man
Small barrel bats are more aerodynamic than the big barrels and easier to get through the hitting zone. Also its easier to control the bat head on a small barrel bat than a big barrel because of the weight displacement between the barrel sizes. However there is also a drawback to using small barrel bats. In high school and college you are not allowed to use anything smaller than a 5/8 barrel where all small barrels are 1/4.
Learning to control the bat head of a baseball bat is probably one of the most important aspects of hitting. So using a small barrel bat will make that transition more difficult once a player is required to step up to that heavier bat and larger barrel. Too much weight is being placed on producing now. When the weight should be placed on learning proper hitting mechanics and learning how to use the tools of the trade instead of taking shortcuts to success.
So in short my personal opinion is to use a baseball bat that is at least 5/8 barrel with as much weight as a particular player can control.
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in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2010 : 12:26:23
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| Clipper, not all rec-ball associations have the 2-1/4 barrel restriction. In fact, most around the metro Atlanta area allow the 2-3/4 bats at all ages (ie., Dizzy Dean, Pony, etc). Worth came out with a big barrel bat a few years back targeted at coach pitch (7u/8u). Little League definitely restricts to 2-1/4" barrels. Dizzy Dean did change their drop requirements beginning this current season for 13u to no greater than the drop 3. In travel that restriction doesn't occur until 14u. As for the -3's, I've never seen a barrel size other than 2-5/8 since these are the high school bat sizes and the requirement for NFHS. |
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Whitlow
211 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2010 : 14:25:27
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I think most associations allow big barrel bats starting at 11U/12U. Small barrel bats are no longer allowed starting at 12U in some leagues. At least this is the case in Greater Gwinnett County rules which tends to follow Dixie Youth rules. College/High School rules only allow 2-5/8 big barrels as far as I know so they have to get used to them at some point. The biggest transition is going from -10 drop big barrels to eventually -3 drop for high school/college. The reason for small barrels is to enable smaller kids to swing with authority with smaller lighter weight bats. Little League banned 2-3/4 bats a few years ago so you see less of them on the market, but most associations still allow them. NCAA college baseball banned composite bats, but then okayed an Easton composite than doesn't improve performance after break-in last I read.
I'd say by 11U it is better to get used to a big barrel and continue to lower the drop as they get older/bigger to get used to the -10 to -3 transition. |
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G-Man
326 Posts |
Posted - 05/21/2010 : 18:31:46
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No my son doesnt use a 2 1/4 barrel. My son uses either a 30/22 Combat 5/8 barrel or a 31/26 5150 5/8 barrel. Also as mentioned not all leagues restrict players to a 1/4 barrel size. I am only aware of LIttle League and Babe Ruth. Most others as mentioned again will allow up to a 3/4 in barrel size.
Now to answer your other question. Let me pose one to you. Would you agree that hitting mechanics are developed by muscle memory through repetition ? Would you agree that even if a player is stronger, swinging a heavier bat will change their swing? Which in turn changes muscle memory. Even the strongest of kids once they are required to pick up that heavier bat is forced to use their legs to get the bat through the hitting zone with power. Whereas with super light bats most dont, its all arms.
quote:
Originally posted by Yankeeclipper
A few questions and comments:
Does your son use a small [2 1/4] barrel bat? Why do rec-ball associations not allow big-barrel bats for kids 12u? Why doesn't Little League allow bats with diameters greater than 2 1/4 for the 12u World Series? Many players who I have known throughout the years and who played rec ball and All-Stars for their associations [Babe Ruth, Little League, Pony, Dixie, etc]definitely did not seem to have difficulties adapting to big-barrel bats when they reached age 13! When kids reach the age at which they are mandated to use the heavier bats, they will be strong enough to adapt. Do you have any scientific proof that kids who use smaller barrel bats at ages 10-12 have difficulty adapting to the drop-3 bats?
quote:
Originally posted by G-Man
Small barrel bats are more aerodynamic than the big barrels and easier to get through the hitting zone. Also its easier to control the bat head on a small barrel bat than a big barrel because of the weight displacement between the barrel sizes. However there is also a drawback to using small barrel bats. In high school and college you are not allowed to use anything smaller than a 5/8 barrel where all small barrels are 1/4.
Learning to control the bat head of a baseball bat is probably one of the most important aspects of hitting. So using a small barrel bat will make that transition more difficult once a player is required to step up to that heavier bat and larger barrel. Too much weight is being placed on producing now. When the weight should be placed on learning proper hitting mechanics and learning how to use the tools of the trade instead of taking shortcuts to success.
So in short my personal opinion is to use a baseball bat that is at least 5/8 barrel with as much weight as a particular player can control.
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