The Best Wood Baseball Bats- Buyers Guide (2022)
Wood bats are a great addition to any youth baseball players bag. But, narrowing down a purchase of a new wood bat can be a little overwhelming.
Similar to metal bats there are different qualities and characteristics to consider.
In this article I would like to simplify how to choose the right wood bat for your needs and playing style.
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Why you should swing a wood bat
A wood bat is a great choice for young players who are developing their hitting skills.
While metal bats can be anywhere from -3 to -12. Wooden bats normally have a length to weight ratio of -2 to -3 oz.
The lower drop weight means it takes more effort and control to swing the bat. Therefore, wood bats help build strength in a players hands, wrists and forearms.
While metal bats are perfect for younger players learning to find the sweet spot, wood bats are much less forgiving to mishits. Having a smaller sweet spot gives players much less room for error when making contact with a baseball.
Getting jammed or hitting a ball off the cap on a metal bat will sting your hands for a little while, but will not hurt the bat.
However, when this same event happens with a wooden bat, it normally doesn’t result in the same outcome. Wooden bats will often vibrate much more and cause them to splinter or break completely eventually.
Training with a wooden bat will improve your hand-eye coordination and improve your ability to find the sweet spot of the bat more consistently.
Types of wood used for wood baseball bats
Wooden bats are made of just that….Wood!
But, what you may not are know the different types of wood and their advantages and disadvantages.
Many of the top bat manufacturers have their own tree farms. Here they plant trees, harvest them at just the right age and replant trees afterwards.
Allowing manufacturers the ability to control the quality of the lumber they use in their baseball bats.
Bats are made of many different types of wood and in this section I’ll cover the most common types found on the baseball field.
Maple
Maple wood bats are harvested from rock maple trees, also known as sugar maples. These trees are commonly found on the eastern side of North America.
Maple bats are the most commonly found type of wood bat used at the major league level. Players feel that it offers them great pop versus other types of wood.
Maple is a dense wood known for its tight grains and hardness, lending to its durability. However, this hardness means it can be less forgiving to vibrations or mishits compared to other types of wood.
This is great for experienced hitters who like a stiffer bat and are willing to sacrifice mishit forgiveness for extra pop.
Ash
Ash wood is the second most popular type of wood for bats on the market. Its harvested from the northern white ash trees which can also be found in central to eastern North America.
Ash differs from maple in that its a softer wood and has slightly looser grains.
It doesn’t have the same stiffness and hardness as maple, lending itself to being more forgiving to mishits off the end of the bat.
However, ash wood bats have a little larger sweet spot than that found in maple bats. More forgiveness and a larger sweet spot make ash a great choice for youth players moving from metal to wood.
Birch
Birch or yellow birch wood bats are another great choice for players making a transition into swinging a wood bat for the first time.
Birch bats have a great balance of grain tightness, like that found in maple, combined with the flexibility of an ash bat.
This combination allows these bats to be very durable on mishits off the sweet spot. Making this another perfect option for young players who aren’t quite finding the sweet spot consistently yet.
Bamboo
Bamboo bats are another bat touted for its durability. These bats are constructed differently than that of traditional wood bats.
Traditional wood bats are harvested from a single piece of wood, whereas bamboo bats are made from multiple chutes of bamboo.
The chutes are cut, pressed together and trimmed to shape using a lathe. Often times these bats are used for hitting in batting cages, where players will get hundreds of reps in a short time.
If you are looking for a bamboo bat for league play make sure it carries the proper stamp, such as BBCOR .50.
Composite
Composite wood bats are normally made of pressed wood or other wood materials and a synthetic substance, such as plastic. These bats offer great durability.
However, with great durability comes a steeper price tag than most bats.
Often times these bats aren’t for league play either, making them a great option for practice or cage work. Fortunately, they usually come with a warranty against breakage.
Courtesy of Dick Sporting Goods
Which turn model should you swing
Wait… Turn model?…..What’s that you might be asking.
After a piece of wood is harvested and cut to length, it is referred to as a blank or a billet. The blank is then placed on a lathe and turned to form a bat.
Simply put, the turn model is the specifications or blue print at which the bat is cut.
This blue print has been time tested and proven to produce a bat within certain weight to length tolerance for league play.
It shows how every inch of the bat should be cut. From the barrel size, handle taper and knob dimensions.
Here is a quick rundown of the most widely used turn models and their advantages and disadvantages.
110 Turn
This turn produces a more balanced bat. It has a 2 1/2″ barrel diameter and a long taper, down to a 1″ handle.
The long taper allows the bat to maintain a more balanced feel. While the thicker handle absorbs excessive vibrations from mishits, lending to its durability.
It is a great option for players breaking in to the wood bat scene and looking to maintain good bat speed.
And also preferred among contact hitters looking for precise control through the hitting zone.
243 Turn
This turn is more suited for the experienced power hitter. Providing the largest barrel diameter of 2 5/8″ and a thinner 29/32″ handle.
These dimension give this bat an end loaded feel.
Putting more weight towards the end of the bat allows for greater transfer of energy into the baseball upon contact.
If you are a big strong player with experience swing a wood bat, then this turn may be the best option for you.
271 Turn
The 271 turn is somewhat of a hybrid between the 110 and the 243. It has a 2 1/2″ barrel, similar to the 110. But, a quicker taper into the handle much like the 243.
This gives a somewhat end loaded feel, but enough balance that contact hitters can still feel comfortable handling.
I13 Turn
This turn is a popular choice among power hitters. Featureing a 2 1/2″ barrel, much like the 110 and 271, combined with an aggressively tapered handle.
This makes this bat a great option for a power hitter.
If your an experienced power hitter and don’t mind sacrificing more strikeouts for the home run, then this may be a great bat for you.
Best wood bat manufactures
There are many bat manufactures today and several can be found in the hands of a major league player. Marucci is one of the most well known and makes the most poplar wood bats in todays game.
Marucci is used by roughly 75% of todays professional players.
However, companies like Victus, Louisville Slugger, Rawlings and Old Hickory also make premium wood bats for major league players.
Best wood bat for youth players
Youth players today are accustomed to swinging bats with high weight to length drops, upwards of -12 oz’s. Using a wood bat can’t offer the same amount of weight drop that is commonly seen in todays aluminum bats.
Ages 12 and under
The Rawlings Player Preferred series Y62 ash bat comes as close as you can with approximately a -7.5 oz drop weight.
Comprised of ash wood helps keep the bat light and flexible. The Y62 cut delivers a very balanced bat which enables youth players to maintain bat speed through the hitting zone.
Ages 13-16
At this age players are getting use to swinging heavier -5 and -3 drop metal bats. If your not already swinging a wood bat in practice by now you should be. Sticking with a bat that still has a balanced 110 turn profile can make switching between wood and aluminum much easier.
A great choice is this Marucci JB19 Youth model wood bat. Has a balanced profile and a high end feel that Marucci delivers with every bat.
This bat can be purchased as is or can be customized to your favorite colors. Also comes with a Marucci 30 day warranty.
High School Junior or Senior
By now you should be pretty familiar with what type of hitter you are. Are you a contact guy or a power guy?
Contact Hitter
If you are a high school contact hitter who is looking to get ready for the summer showcase tournaments. The Victus JC24 is a great choice to showoff your talents at the plate.
Extra Base Hit Player
Lets say your that 3 hole hitter looking to hit from gap to gap and drive in runs. Then the Marucci AM22 offers a slightly end loaded feel for getting on those extra base hit, but enough balance to make sure you don’t strike out
Power Hitter
If your that big time homerun guy that likes the long ball then this bat is for you. Take your power to the next level with the Louisville Signature Series CB35. Modeled after the big barrel 243 turn, this bat delivers that charge that the biggest power hitters are looking for.
Best Composite Wood Bat
Using a premium wood bat can get expensive especially if you take a lot of batting practice rounds. Lets save your game wood bat for just that, the game. Here is are two great composite bats to take all your batting practice swings without ruining your game time bat.
This Rawlings Elite Composite bat can handle all your extra cuts before and after the game. Its balanced profile is great for contact hitters.
Final Thoughts!
Whether your looking to transition from metal to wood bat or a seasoned pro. Swinging with a wood bat will make you a better hitter and take your game to the next level.
Pick up one of these wood bats today and start getting some swings.