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clg003
79 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 16:14:33
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We are moving up to 13u this year and I thought it would be a great year to move towards a drop 5 bat. I mean the mound is moving back 4 feet, the kids are getting bigger, and the fields are getting a lot bigger, but I have been surprised at how former 13yo coaches have said that they are not worth the trouble. I mean you need to be using a drop 3 at 14 so why not use a drop 5 at 13. I understand its really a one year bat but for us that is simply not an issue because as part of our teams uniform package we get a new model bat every year. Do you any of you 13U parent or coaches have any opinions on this? |
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tfb
34 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 21:12:24
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My son is now entering high school. When he went from 12U to 13U we had a friend that was nice enough to give us a Dynasty 32 inch drop 5. My son out grew it half way through fall ball 13U. Don't waste a lot of money on a drop 5. Buy a used one or better yet find a nice friend and get one for free. My son moved onto a 33 / 30 very quickly. |
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a1prog
164 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 21:44:11
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let me offer a couple of things to consider;
1. nothing matters more than proper swing mechanics. so no matter what drop you go with make sure that your son is swinging properly and not adjusting his swing because of the bat he uses.
2. what does your son swing today? if its a drop 8 or larger then i think the minus five is the way to go. moving all the way to a drop 3 is too much. this would be especially true if your son swings a bat that is less balanced (demarini) and more end loaded like the exogrid.
3. while many associations allow for 13s to still swing a minus 8 or larger this is a huge mistake at age 13. and generally, the transition all the way to minus 3 is too big. some kids get there faster than others but i can tell you from experience that i have seen many a child/parent who thought they were ready for a minus 3 and then when it got to be game speed and making adjustments the bat speed just wasnt there.
my kid, and many that i coached, were very comfortable with the demarini bats (vexxum and voodoo). these come in all drop levels and the minus 5s make for a great transition bat. my kids went from minus 8 to minus 5 and then to minus 3s with very little issues. |
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dmb350
135 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 22:16:39
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It really depends on the player. Bigger or stronger players can transition faster than others. A big jump in weight can cause some serious mechanical flaws in his swing if not monitored in the beginning so keep that in mind.
My son played up in 13U for the 09 season and is playing up in 14U for the 2010 season. We went from a drop -9 to a drop -3 in a few months by using a -2 wood bat in batting practice to get him used to the weight. Initially off the tee then working up to regular routine work.
Wood teaches good habits and they quit worrying about hitting homeruns and concentrate on good mechanics not to mention it's cheaper than a decent used composite bat usually.
I can't say 100% (I could be wrong here) but EXCEPT for high school I don't think any of the major travel ball organizations require a -3 for 14U. Although it can't hurt to get him ready early. |
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Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2009 : 22:53:50
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The 13U year is the perfect year for a -5 transition bat. If they are a bigger kid, they can use a -5 starting at 12U when slower pitchers are throwing. I would say that at 13U, ALL players should be using at least a -5 part of the time. Otherwise making the transition to -3 will be difficult. At 13U, there will be times a -3 will work good as well as long as the player can handle it without looking like he is casting the bat. |
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gabandit
25 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 01:46:18
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Depends on the competition. If you are playing an Elite level schedule, low-80's pitchers from 54' are pretty tough to handle. Drop 5's are great transition bats. When we did 13's everyone used a -5 in the fall and transitioned to -3's in the spring only against below 80 mph pitchers. Super NIT's and similar tourney's were all drop 5's... Only thing to be aware of is that they do not last. There are no regulations on them like high school for the -3's, so the companies are really pushing limits and they dent very easily. Don't use them in the cages!!!!!
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beanball
222 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 06:46:05
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There is no rule that says you need to use a -3 @14U. That's not until 15U. My experience is that the best bats are -5. They have a lot more pop than the -8 or 10 and the players have more control than the -3. I thought it was a good transition and in fact my 13U player is using a -5 this year -- is a hand me down from older bro. |
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Scatbat
39 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 07:24:16
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I think the drop 5 is the way to go, my son plays middle school baseball and he had to use a drop 3 at 12 and it was hard transition from the drop 8 bat, this second half the year I got him the EXO drop 5 and it didnt seem to slow him down a bit and he actually hit a little better with it, so I think the drop 5 will be a whole lot less dramatic of a jump to the drop three next year. That is my opinion. |
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bigcatsdad
22 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 08:36:03
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If your son can swing a -3, then go for it. According to the ht/wt charts, mine should have used a 33/30. He couldn't swing it very well so he went back to the 32/27 and had a great season. IMO it is better for the kids to use a shorter/lighter bat. They hit so much better with it. Why not use the -5 through 14 if it will be an advantage? Unless your argument is to try and have them ready for HS using the -3, or your son has already hit the big growth spurt around 13. Time after time kids or Dads think the player should get a bigger or heavier bat which is not always the case. Good luck. |
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goyard
217 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2009 : 08:42:50
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I like your team package of getting a new bat included every year 
PS: Level of play will also have something to do with it .... we faced some pretty intense pitchers who could bring it while at the 54' distance and my opinion and depending on the size and strength of your son ... don't slow his swing down too soon! There were plenty on the team still swinging drop 8's - he'll have plenty of time to progress. |
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