Everything You Need To Know About Bat Size For 8 Year Old

It’s great to see your child showing a strong passion for baseball at an early age. Read this blog for advice on bat size for 8 year old and more useful info!

It is essential to bring children into sports, as soon as they learn to play games by rules and such. Sports train children’s bodies and minds to develop muscles, reflexes, and teamwork skills they wouldn’t have learned anywhere else. 

One of the best games for kids as young as seven years old to learn is baseball since, aside from other benefits, it trains players to its very specific and delicate rules. 

Read this article about bat size for 8 year old and more, so you can best prepare your kid for the game with equipment fitting for them!

What’s The Right Bat Size?

It’s easy to just go to the sports center and grab whichever kid-sized baseball club for your children, but that comes with a few disadvantages. The club might be too heavy and too long for the kid to swing, causing possible injuries like joint dislocation. Not only will choosing the right equipment help your kid play better, but it also keeps them safe.

Before you learn the criteria of a suitable baseball club, let’s first get to know its anatomy of it. Doing this would allow you to know where to look specifically.

The basic baseball club can be broken down into five crucial parts: knob, grip, handle, barrel and end-cap. They all have their own functions as follow:

• The knob, along with the handle, serves as the mark for you to keep your hands in their right spot for a productive swing.
• The grip is a layer of additional protection for the bat’s wood grains, as well as providing your hands with more friction on the club. 
• The barrel is the source of impact on the ball as it comes. While the handle is skinny to fit in your hands, the barrel is larger in diameter in order to add weight and mass into the hit.
• The end-cap helps improve the swinger’s control of the club. Though the cap does not add in extra weight to balance out the barrel, it is extremely useful.

As the child’s guardian, these are the parts of the stick you should look into for your child to find a proper tool for their game. If you do not know where the specific numbers and measurements are, you might want to have a look at the baseball bat size chart below.

See Also: What Is BBCOR – A Clear Explanation To BBCOR Bat Standard

Baseball Bat Size Chart

The baseball bat size chart is present in any and all establishments that provide baseball bats. This is to make sure that those who walk into the store know exactly what they’re getting into, as well as what to expect for the range of the store’s array. A baseball club size chart should look a little something like this:

It is definitely advised that you measure your kid’s height and weight before heading to the store. After all, the weight and length of the baseball club should be proportionate to your child’s body, so prior knowledge is always encouraged. Otherwise, you will have to try measuring your child at the store somehow, which can be very uncomfortable.

Without further ado, let’s get into dividing the stores’ selection by the most common denominator: Age and League.

Bat Size Charts by Age and League

Aside from your own child’s body measurements and weight, you should also read about the local league rules. From there, you will notice the three most common categories for baseball bats: USABat, USSSA, and BBCOR. By labeling with these terms alone, you can already eliminate two-thirds of the store’s selection by the rules as follow:

• USABat’s standards produce wood-like performance – meaning the club will be lightweight, airy, and easy to swing. USABats have little to no other material other than wood, but if you want to stray from the standard design, there can be other options. Because of the standards’ nature, these are the best fit for young players.
• BBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution) provides the same wood-like quality, but they typically reserve their products for adults. Players who are from 16 years old onwards will find themselves gravitating towards these lightweight models.
• The USSSA specializes in energy-transfer bats, which can stray from the original wooden design. Products from USSSA focus on delivering the full force of the swinger instead of sticking to tradition, so they are strictly for those participating in baseball leagues governed by the USSSA.

Despite knowing all these, you should not base your choice entirely on the labels. Since every league has its own standards, it’s best that you carry a rule book or pamphlet from the league’s official source to compare with the store’s array of bats. Typically, the rule goes as follow:

• Baseball players between the age of 4-6 should wield a tee-ball club.
• Baseball players between the age of 7-13 should wield a USA club or USSSA one.
• Baseball players between the age of 14-18 should wield a club following BBCOR standards.

The rules are subjected to change from one league to another, so be mindful when doing the purchasing at the store. Don’t bother arguing with the store’s professional as well, since they might know better than you in picking baseball bats for suitable players. 

If you want to see first-hand what the demographic uses (instead of listening to Old Joe, the sports center manager), try looking into Bat Digest’s survey on club size usage!

See Also: How Much Does a Baseball Weight?

Bat Digest Survey Bat Size Chart Data

The survey starts with real players from leagues all over the country. We ask everyone to put in their actual club model name that they use, the size, and their body proportions. After all the data are collected and put logically into a comprehensible chart, here’s what we end up after sorting by baseball, fastpitch, league, age, and relative sizings:

This chart contains the only empirical study on baseball and fastpitch fungo size to date (according to our knowledge). With players below the age of 6, we have the parents of the child fill in the information based on their observation instead. 

It is the guide for all guardians and coaches all over the United States, and we believe that it will benefit you greatly as well!

If the chart still looks a little too confusing, here are the specifics to what size bat for 8 year old and others of the same age range!

Average Bat Size Chart By Age

At this point, if you have not saved this post for later reads, you should do it immediately. This part of the article will go into detail on the measurements suitable for a child from the age of 7 to 17 years old, so it has a usage value of 10 years!

Let’s dive into the specific measurements:

Bat Size For 7 Year Old

So, what size bat for 7 year old to use? 

27-inch in length and 17-ounce in weight is the number any parent with a child at the age of 7 will swear by. 

Yet, the body proportions of children can vary greatly from one to another by their diet or activity level. We suggest you keep the fungo in the range of 26-28 inches and 16-18 ounces – where 65% of 7-year-old baseball players lay in.

According to our survey, the majority of children of average height will gravitate towards using the heavier and longer bats of the spectrum. Exceptional children will even get picked for 29/19’s proportions in order for them to make use of the most of their strength and caliber. 

Typically, experts would advise your children to start with 27/17 and move upwards or downwards based on their experience with the standard one.

Bats as light as 13 ounces can also be found on a tee-ball field. If your child is scrawnier than most, he can benefit from such weight. 7 year old baseball bat size can vary a lot since this is the age where children’s bodies end their rapid growth phase and enter a more stable spurt.

For this reason, the category of baseball bats for 6 year olds and seven years old are sometimes grouped together in smaller providers. When asking parents of 6-year-old children the question of what size bat for 6 year old to use, we receive similar answers!

Bat Size For 8 Year Old

Eight years is enough for you to identify your child’s growth among their classmates and teammates. Suppose you consider your child to be small now; they might stay smaller than others of their age group for another few years, rather than rapidly growing like when they were younger.

So, what size bat for 8 year old to use? Most coaches and parents will opt for a 28-inch long and 18-ounce heavy one for a child at 8 years of age. While there are varied uses of 29-inch and 27-inch bats in the demographic, they barely come close to the majority that 28-inch bats claim, according to our research.

Interestingly, parents who think that their child is shorter than their age group will stray from picking 18-ounce bats. Intuitively, you can assume that those parents will go down from 18 to 17, but the proportions of 19-ounce fungo usage are almost equal to that of 17-ounce usage! The presumed taller children will stick in their 18-ounce consistently, despite being able to take more weight on their hands.

The proportions over at the 8-year-old chart are similar to lots of others – where the taller kids tend to pick lighter bats and shorter barrels. This is a phenomenon that we cannot explain just yet, despite its presence in most of our data boards. It is presumed that the parents of tall kids think of them as less coordinated and stable in their playstyle, that short and light bats are needed.

This theory is backed up by the fact that when asked for what size baseball bat for 8 year old, parents will likely choose the 28/18 with the reasoning of “it seems faster”!

Bat Size For 9 Year Old

If your observation says the answer to “what size bat for 9 year old” is 28-29 inch and drop-10, your eyes are completely justified to make such a claim! 

That is most definitely the most popular sizing used by parents with children just below ten years old. In fact, 28-29 inch bats make up 80% of 9U baseball batters, so you should start from this stat and move the measurement upwards or downwards based on your child’s swing.

There is almost no disagreement among the 9-year-old baseball player demographic, with 80% being the largest majority percentage we have so far. 30/20 is too heavy and too long for children of this age to swing (though star batters do tend to pick this hefty weight to support them in their games. 

Only very exceptional children pick up anything longer than 30 inches and 20 ounces. If your child is considerably larger than those in his class, perhaps going for a heavier (and longer) fungo is a good idea after all!

Bat Size For 10 Year Old

The option will vary between the range of 29-30 inches and drop 10-11. Those who have been confused about this term this entire time are too afraid to ask: Drop is the numerical difference between length and weight, so drop ten bats are 28/18, 29/19, 30/20, for example.

The drop is prominent in the 10-year-old demographic of baseball players, as you can see with more than 90% of total 10U fungo usage. Whenever you want to test your child’s ability, giving them a 29/19 fungo and adjusting on that is the test that takes the least tries. 29/19 is a very good starting point for 10-year-old fungo swingers.

This is a major hop from baseball bat size for 8 year old as you can see from earlier since 10-year-old children show their figure very clearly! Additionally, one thing does stay certain: Taller baseball players are more accepting of shorter and lighter bats. This is not because they are weaker, but rather because of their lack of body control and hand-eye coordination.

The really strong 10-year-olds do tend to lean to bats heavier than 20-ounce, but it seems like no child is developed enough to be comfortable with bats longer than 32-inch. Aiming your child below this mark ensures their safety!

Bat Size For 11 Year Old

The right fungo size for an 11-year-old has a length consistently at 30-inch, with a weight from 19 to 21 ounces. This is an interesting statistic to see, as most age ranges will vary greatly with length and stay rather consistent with weight. 

40% of 11U surveyed players use 30/19-21 bats, while another 40% use 29 or 30/19-21 bats. Whenever you want to test an 11-year-old child’s compatibility with a new fungo, use a 30-inch one with a drop 10, so you can adjust the variations from there.

From this point, more and more parents assume that their child is shorter and slimmer than their friends. This false assumption is one of the many factors that keep the baseball fungo length consistent throughout choices. Though most parents will deny this thought in their mind and to those questioning, interviews suggest that the notion does plague their minds.

Strong players around this age group split very evenly between 30-inch and 31-inch baseball bats. Those who are very powerful do tend to go overboard with 31-inch and 22-ounce ones, but they are extremely rare. 

Despite this jump, especially tall players from this demographic still place their preferences on light, and short bats, so bigger ones still do not claim too large a portion of players. 

Bat Size For 12 Year Old

For 12-year-old fungo swingers, the most common drop is still 10 in 30-31 inch bats, but it is no longer the only drop utilized. Drop eight and drop five are starting to emerge from the demographic’s likings, which is an interesting sign to see!

12-year-olds do not see too much of a change between the drops, though, as they are just as happy with a 30/12 fungo as with a 30/10 bat. Most players from this age group are also more aware of the training-gaining aspect of their playing tool, so even though they complain that a drop-five fungo is heavy, they strive through with it.

These statistics make the 12-year-old appear like the most diverse and complex group regarding baseball fungo choice. They love 30/20 and 31/21 equally, and these are the measurements that make up the majority of their preferences. Other hard-hitting combos are 32/22, 30/22, 31/23, and 32/24. It’s so easy to point out that 12-year-olds just swing whatever they like!

Bat Size For 13 Year Old

For a good reason, most 13-year-old players will start to gravitate towards BBCOR-standardized bats. Baseball batters at this age are pretty much used to the drop five and even drop 3, so the jump comes rather gradually. As this is also where high school tryouts start to wear weaker kids out of the sport, the statistic will look even more consistent from this point on.

⅓ of 13-year-old baseball players still remain at non-BBCOR leagues, and they have the tendency to go for a 32-inch club with a drop 5. 13 is still the age that requires a lot more tailoring, so lots of standardized sizing will not make sense on your child. When all things are said and done, 13-year-old non-BBCOR players have all graduated from 29-inch bats.

They will also require heavier bats, as their muscles are getting consistently developed to adjust quickly to swinging.

As USABats do not feel accommodating anymore, parents who move forward to buying BBCOR-labelled bats have an easier time finding bats for their children. This is because BBCOR only uses a 3-point drop rather than providing players with all kinds of variations. The sizes are consistent at 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, and 29-inch as well, so the pairing seems less bewildering.

In order for the data to be completely fair and actually form a trend, we have to eliminate wood choices from the list, even though BBCOR does approve of the material. Other decimated options like 32.5 or 33.5 are also taken out of the final data roundup, as the number of players going for such a choice is too insignificant to the overall picture.

Generally speaking, 13-year-old BBCOR players love the 29/26 products, as they are the closest to the jump we saw at non-BBCOR. There are also, surprisingly, players who swing 31-inch or 32-inch bats and completely ignore the 30-inch selections. Most players in this age range have found their favorite proportions, so they are also more satisfied with their fungo.

Bat Size For 14 Year Old

At the age of 14, a baseball’s preference and career choice are very much set in their mind. This is reflected in the data about 14-year-old BBCOR league players, as most conventional rules before are no longer applicable. Exceptional swingers are now gravitating towards 29-inch bats rather than 30-inch ones, which is rather strange to see.

Really strong players do tend to get bats up to 33-inch, but the majority of the population at 14 is stuck between 30 and 33 inches. The length proportion to players’ height still retains the trend we spotted earlier: Short players use longer bats, and taller players pick up short bats. 

This is no longer because of the preference of the parents anymore, but rather the players’ own assessment of their ability and preference. This trend persists until the players reach the age of 17 years old – when professional league hits, and players are consulted by professional club makers and manufacturers.

Bat Size For 15 Year Old

It’s common to see a 15-year-old take on a 32/29 BBCOR, as it is also the statistically most popular choice. The choices vary between 31-28 and 33/30, so 32/29 is evidently the middle point between the two polarities. 

The factor of players’ satisfaction comes into play during the selection just as much as sizes, so there have been cases where standardized sizes are cast aside – because the player feels like they don’t play well with that size.

The trend with length-height contrast is highlighted once more, as tall players still hold onto their shorter and lighter bats. 

Bat Size For 16 Year Old

At 16 years old, players become straightforward in their tool choice, as they just stick to what they have been playing with. The majority of them still stay at the range between 32/29 and 33/30, so that’s no surprise anymore. There are also players that claim to be most comfortable with a 34-inch BBCOR the most, and they are in their every right to make that choice.

Bat Size For 17 Year Old

If you have ever taken a look at the survey chart for 17-year-old fungo size choices, you will notice that it is the least chaotic of all the aforementioned charts. The players have solidified their preferences, and those who are pursuing a career in baseball will likely stick with one set of length-weight ratios until the end of their last game.

Overall, we recommend leaning towards 33/30 measurements and adjusting from there.

There are three surefire ways for you to determine whether or not the fungo is at the right length when your child is a different height from others of their age group.

• Put the bottom of it right at the center of the child’s chest and point it to their outstretched arm. Test if the kid can reach the top of the equipment with their fingertips when placed in this position. If they can, then it is at the right length for them.

• Similar to the last test, the bottom of the equipment should be on the child’s chest center, while the other end is perpendicular to their body. If the child’s arm can reach the barrel instead of the tip, then it is the right length for the child to swing.
• The last test requires the child to have the fungo at the side of their legs and on flat ground. For this, they need to relax their arms and see if the palm of their hand reaches the end of it or not; the equipment is suitable for the child’s height. In case the palm reaches the grip or the barrel or the hand barely reaches the equipment, you will need to look for other sizes.

Importance of selecting the right bat size for 8-year-olds

Choosing the right bat size for an 8-year-old is crucial for several reasons. First, it ensures that the player can swing the bat with proper technique, maximizing their power and hitting ability. Using a bat that is too heavy or too light can adversely affect a player’s swing mechanics, leading to poor performance and potential injury. Second, the right bat size helps young players develop their hand-eye coordination and timing, which are essential skills for success in baseball. Lastly, using the correct bat size allows young players to gain confidence and enjoy the game, leading to a positive experience that can foster a lifelong love for the sport.

Bat Size Rules and Regulations

Whenever you’re stepping into a new arena, please consult with the game’s referee or your own league coach to know the specific rules for each league. Since regulations can vary from one spot to another and one stadium to another as well, do not base every experience on your own knowledge. 

Ask your manager for the leagues that will bother you a lot in your career. Here is an example of the rules on bats, according to the Official Rules of Major League Baseball [1]:

1.10

(a) The bat: It should be around and smooth stick, with a diameter smaller than 2.61 inches (for the thinnest part) and a length smaller than 42 inches. 

NOTE: No experimental or laminated bats are allowed in either exhibition games or championship season (unless there is approval from the Committee regarding manufacture methods and designs. 

(b) Cupped Bats: The equipment’s end is only allowed for a 1-inch indentation. Foreign substances are not allowed. 

(c) Bat handle: 18 inches as maximum. Substances or materials that serve the purpose of improving the grip are allowed. 

(d) Colored bat is not allowed to be used in any professional game without approval from the Committee.

See Also: Why do baseball players wear hats? 7 Basic Reasons

USA Baseball Bats

As those products from the United States of America certainly have lots of standards/requirements for manufacturers, you won’t have to worry too much about their qualities in the US. Despite the variations of the equipment, there are definitely unspoken rules you should note in your shopping trip!

Big Barrel Bats For Pony Leagues

It’s very tempting for your little champion to sport big bats on the field. However,  it is not very encouraging. Most minor leagues limit their bats to 33-inch lengths and 2 5/8-inches barrel diameter to avoid injury during the games.

The sight of a child running around with a massive club can be funny at first, but it can turn sour very quickly.

High School and College Bats (BBCOR)

American high school and college bats are very much closely linked with BBCOR since it is BBCOR standards that best fit players of this age range. You definitely should consult a BBCOR specialist if your child wants to seriously pursue a career in this sport.

Fastpitch and Slowpitch Softball Bats

There are lots of distinctions between fastpitch and slowpitch softball bats in their anatomy. In short, a slowpitch one is designed to catch a ball at around 25mph, so they are great for batters who want to catch and slow the ball down for a longer hit. Those fastpitch ones are complete opposites: The club excels at catching the ball quickly and sending the batter running.

Tips for choosing the perfect bat for an 8-year-old

When choosing a bat for an 8-year-old, here are some additional tips to consider:

1. Opt for a bat with an appropriate length and weight that allows the player to swing with proper form and control.
2. Look for a bat with a balanced weight distribution, as this can promote a quicker swing and better hitting performance.
3. Consider the material of the bat. Alloy and composite bats are popular choices for young players as they tend to be lighter and offer more flexibility, resulting in better performance.
4. Check for the bat’s certification. Look for bats that are approved for use in youth leagues, such as Little League, Babe Ruth, or Cal Ripken, to ensure compliance with league regulations.
5. Involve the player in the decision-making process. Allow the player to try different bats and choose the one that feels most comfortable and allows them to swing with proper technique. This can boost their confidence and ownership in their equipment.

FAQs

Can I use a bat that is too big for my 8-year-old?

It is not recommended to use a bat that is too big for an 8-year-old, as it can result in improper swing mechanics and reduced hitting performance.

What is the best material for a bat for an 8-year-old?

Alloy and composite bats are popular choices for young players as they tend to be lighter and offer more flexibility, resulting in better performance.

How often should I check my child’s bat for damage?

It is recommended to regularly inspect the bat for any signs of damage, such as cracks, dents, or loose parts, and discontinue use if any damage is found.

Can my 8-year-old share their bat with other players?

It is generally not recommended to share bats among players, as it can lead to excessive wear and tear, and may not result in the best fit for each player’s individual needs.

How do I measure the correct bat size for my 8-year-old?

Measure your child’s height and weight, and refer to a bat size chart that provides recommendations based on these measurements to determine the appropriate bat size for your 8-year-old.

Conclusion: Bat Size For 8 Year Old

In conclusion, choosing the right bat size for an 8 year old is an important decision that can greatly impact their performance and enjoyment of the game. Considering factors such as height, weight, skill level, and hitting style, as well as following maintenance and care tips, can help ensure that the player is using a bat that allows them to swing with proper form, generate power, and improve their overall performance on the field.

Remember to involve the player in the decision-making process and prioritize their comfort and confidence with their equipment. With the right bat size and proper care, young player can enhance their baseball skills and have a fulfilling experience on the diamond.