Top 10 Best Baseball Bats for Kids & Youth (Complete Guide)

So your child wants to enter the wonderful world of baseball. That’s great! Now, you’re wondering what are the best baseball bats for children. Not to worry because you’re now at the right place.
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In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • Our top-rated baseball bats for kids
  • The best baseball bats for children according to different age groups
  • The things to consider when shopping for the best baseball bats for kids

And more!

But first, here’s a quick list of the best baseball bats we found and tested for your little leaguers.

IMAGE
PRODUCT
OUR TOP PICK



#1 – Easton 2021 Speed Comp Youth Baseball Bat

BEST BUDGET



#2 - True Temper T2 Youth Baseball Bat

BEST HIGH END



#3 – True Temper T2X Youth Baseball Bat




#4 - Easton Beast Speed Youth Baseball Bat




#5 - Easton Beast Pro USA Youth Baseball Bat




#6 - Marucci CAT -10 Baseball Bat




#7 - Louisville Slugger 2020 SPD




#8 - Easton MAXUM 360




#9 - DeMarini 2019 Uprising




#10 - Marucci CAT9 -10

Our Overall #1 Rated Pick

Updated on August 17, 2021

Easton 2021 Speed Comp Youth Baseball Bat

The moment we held the Easton 2021 Speed Comp Youth Baseball Bat in our hands, we knew that this baseball bat is a special piece of sports equipment. The team also unanimously voted that this bat is one of the best pieces of equipment that a youth player can use.

This bat features Easton’s HyperLite Composite, which is the company’s lightest material. Furthermore, the zero-degree layup provides a great responsive feel.

If this bat is going to be your first baseball bat, or you’re only upgrading to this model, you’re not going to feel wrong with this purchase. 

Our Top 10 Baseball Bats for Kids

If you’re wondering what the best baseball bats are for kids, wonder no more as the following list is our top-rated products that we bought and tested for your convenience.

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What is the Best Little League Baseball Bat for 8 Year Old?

After extensive research, we were able to find that the right bat size for their child is generally 28 inches. Additionally, a preferable weight for bats for 8-year-old baseball players is 18 ounces. Plus, 8-year-olds tend to do quite well when swinging drop 11 and drop 12 bats. These options are both good for keeping players’ batting forms as stable as possible.

What is the Best Little League Baseball Bat for 10 Year Old?

When it comes to choosing a baseball bat for a 10-year-old baseball player, size is a crucial factor to consider. Also, the player’s height, weight, and skill level are taken into account to get an appropriate youth baseball bat. If we take into account the average height of 10-year-old kids, which is about 4 feet, 5 inches the young player should do well with a 29-inch bat.

What Size Little League Baseball Bat Should an 11-Year-Old Use?

Many 11-year-old little league baseball players would do well to swing a 30/20 bat. Other great alternatives are the 31/21, 29/19, and 30/22 options.

Some parents might think, ‘Should I give my little leaguer a wooden baseball bat?’

Take note that the anticipation of using a wood bat is reasonable. Many parents of young baseball players can’t wait for their children to hold wooden bats. For the most part, most kids are quite good at handling wooden pieces of baseball equipment.

However, wood bats are known to make many players struggle. Wooden baseball bats tend to promote an extra learning curve, which young players may not need. It’s because many kids and little leaguers are still getting the hang of the fundamentals. Giving the young players a tool used for expert play might prove to be more challenging and intended for them.

What Size Little League Baseball Bat Should a 12 Year Old Use?

If your child is now 12 years old, the little leaguer will now have more options than before for a new baseball bat. However, consider giving your young star player a drop 8 bat or a 31/21 model. Another option is to go with a 30 or a 32. However, a 30 or 32 model should be as low as your little leaguer should go for their new baseball bat to avoid in-game issues.

Tips to Measure a Baseball Field

What are the Best-Sized Little League Baseball Bats for 13 to 14-Year-Old Players?

By the time your young baseball player reaches 13 years old, the young teen will now have access to even more options than when the individual was younger. But consider giving your young athlete a bat that’s a drop of 10 to 13. With that range, the baseball bat should be reasonably easy to swing for a 13 or 14-year-old player.

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What Should You Look For When Buying Baseball Bats for Kids?

A baseball bat and some gloves are all that your child needs to play well in the game. However, choose the wrong pieces of equipment, and watch your kid fumble frequently during games. Continue reading the rest of this section to help you and your children select the right bat to use.

  • The Type of Bat

Youth baseball bats tend to fall under four major categories, which are alloy, composite, hybrid, and half-and-half. Take a look at these types of youth bats in more detail:

  • Alloy baseball bats: Most of the time, these are made from metal except for the end cap. In most cases, alloy baseball bats have an aluminum construction. Since aluminum is light and durable, it can be the best choice for some youth baseball players.
  • Composite baseball bats: These are made of composite materials (hence the name) and are generally the most expensive type of bats. These bats have their enhanced durability levels as their main advantage over other types of bats.
  • Half-and-half baseball bats: A youth baseball bat with an aluminum, alloy, or hybrid handle.
  • Hybrid bats: Hybrid bats are made up of several mixed materials, such as carbon and alloy. These options are designed to combine the advantages of both aluminum and composite bats.

 

  • Barrel Size

 Players under 12 years old should use a 2-1/4-inch barrel baseball bat. Take note that regulation calls that high school and college players prohibit the use of a 2-5/8-inch barrel bat.

  • Drop Weight

Simply put, the drop weight is the difference between the baseball bat’s length to its overall weight. Therefore, the higher the drop weight, the lighter the bat. On the other hand, the smaller the drop weight, the heavier the baseball bat.

So which drop weight should your child use? It depends on certain factors, such as your kid’s age. However, a new player should consider using a baseball bat with a -10 or -12 drop weight. At that weight range, the bat shouldn’t be too heavy or light to swing properly.

  • Length

As discussed in previous sections, the preferred length for kids baseball bats can largely depend on the player’s age. For example, a 10-year-old player can do well with a 29-inch bat. On the other hand, a 14-year-old little leaguer may do better with a 32-inch baseball bat.

  • One-Piece vs. Two-Piece

There are a few reasons why two-piece bats are usually more expensive than one-piece ones. One of these is their connexion system, which is the connection between the bat’s handle and barrel. The feel and performance benefits come from the dampening vibrations that the joint produces. The connector acts as a shock absorber, helping minimize contact.

One-piece bats are typically more advantageous than two-piece ones in terms of hitting center or barreled hits. Also, one-piece bats provide the more powerful hitters with a slight advantage in terms of energy transfer to the ball.

Choose the type of bat that goes well with your child’s unique style of play. That way, your youth or little leaguer will use the baseball bat to the best of their abilities.

  • Price

The last factor to consider is the price of the bat. Although you love your child to bits, spending more money than you should on a youth baseball bat might not be the best idea. Make sure that the price of the bat coincides with your budget to avoid getting buyer’s remorse. 

Read More >> How To Hit A Baseball – 5 Essential Tips

Pick #1 - Easton 2021 Speed Comp Youth Baseball Bat

Without a doubt, this particular youth baseball bat is one of the most powerful pieces of sporting equipment on the market right now. The team couldn’t contain their joy while using this baseball bat.

It features Easton’s Hyperlite Composite, which is the lightest material available, as per the company’s description.

As soon as we held the bat in our hands, that description is no mere marketing gimmick. This bat feels hefty and lightweight at the same time.

It features a zero-degree layup for a more responsive feel. Each swing we made with this bat felt like it’s an extension of our arms. Plus, we liked that this bat is playable for all USA baseball leagues.

On the downside, we’re not too keen to give it to power hitters. Youth players that have a lot of ‘oomph’ on their swings might hasten the wear and tear of this baseball bat.

Pick #2 – True Temper T2 Youth Baseball Bat

We spent several hundred swings with TRUE’s T2 bat to get an idea of how it performs. For the most part, it was an all-around performer.

With it, the bat allowed different players to hold it comfortably.

 Also, the team was surprised to discover that this bat could beat other competing products in terms of durability. Plus, it performed well in handling different types of swings.

Furthermore, we liked that each baseball hit had a lot of ‘pop’ in them. The audible ‘crack’ of each hit is sure to make any baseball fan jump for joy.

However, the T2 model is heavier than its predecessor, the T1. Therefore, players who are already used to True Temper’s T1 bat may find it difficult to use the T2.

Pick #3 – True Temper T2X Youth Baseball Bat

The team was surprised to see the T2X, an upgraded version of the T2, be at a lower price point. It’s safe to say that most of us were skeptical at first. However, most of those doubts and worries disappeared upon using this baseball bat.

First of all, the team liked the monochrome design. It’s a cool yet clean-looking baseball bat that doesn’t attract too much attention. Therefore, it’s a great bat for those that don’t want to attract unnecessary fame (or infamy) to the baseball bats they’re holding.

The barrel is also sufficiently large. Some of our youth players seemed to find this bat to hit more balls thrown at them than average. Additionally, this bat is available in different drop weight options, specifically drop 5, 8, and 10.

However, some team members found the one-piece design to be quite difficult to use. With that said, these players are used to using two-piece baseball bats.

Pick #4 – Easton Beast Speed Youth Baseball Bat

We like the Easton Beast Speed baseball bat for several reasons. For instance, this baseball bat is a generator of both speed and balance, which explains why our big hitters were able to produce such powerful shots. With that said, players with weaker swings might want to improve their swinging prowess first before using this bat.

Next, control is superb while we were using this children’s baseball bat. During our practice shots, the 2019 Easton Beast Speed exhibited an 85% vibration success rate, which is typical of single-piece metal bats. It’s also a case of ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.’

Finally, we loved the grip and comfort provided by this bat. The Beast Speed is built to perform. Its high levels of grip and balance make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced hitters.

Pick #5 - Easton Beast Pro USA Youth Baseball Bat

The team knew that the 2019 Easton Beast Pro is a modified version of the company’s popular USA bat, which is also this baseball bat’s predecessor. For this new model, it features a 2-5/8-inch barrel with Easton’s ATAC Advanced Thermal Alloy construction. With these features, energy transference is nothing short of excellent. Our hitters felt the power transferring from their legs to their hips, and their hands with each swing and hit of this bat.

We also liked the Beast Pro’s Speed End Cap, which is a newly configured component that dramatically improves the barrel’s response and flexibility. Take note that it produces a deafening ping sound when used. Additionally, the Beast Pro bat features a pro-balanced swing weight that places extra mass into the sweet spot to provide more pop.

This baseball bat can be the perfect piece of equipment for 12-year-old hitters. However, other little leaguers might have difficulty using this bat.

Pick #6 – Marucci CAT -10 Baseball Bat

One of our teammates needed a bat for his kid to play in the Dixie youth. His son liked the feel and weight of the bat almost immediately upon holding the item in his hands.

While in the baseball field for some tests, we noticed an audibly pleasing ‘pop’ with each hit. The aluminum sound is reasonably loud that the sound travels up to the end of the field.

Next, we also like to mention that the grip is both nice and tacky. It felt like it was stuck to the hand of our little leaguer, so to speak. Therefore, we don’t have to worry about the bat sliding off the fingers of our child baseball player.

Finally, each swing promotes enough balance so as not to let our young team member trip and fall while swinging. However, we still feel that it could do better with an ounce of extra weight. It’s because we noticed that our young baseball player would sometimes incorrectly calculate the trajectory of his swing as the bat swooshes over fast balls.

Pick #7 – Louisville Slugger 2020 SPD

Many basketball fans (including us) already know the Louisville brand. It’s because the company tends to make some top-notch bats for different types of hitters. The Slugger 2020 SPD is no exception to that thought.

For instance, our little leaguer found and liked that the construction of this particular bat is well-balanced. He’s about 4 foot 9 inches, and this bat is sufficiently weighty to keep our young player’s feet on the ground.

Our teammate also found that the weight also delivered another benefit – the disappearance of a sting. Before, he used to use a heavier-than-average baseball bat, which caused some of his body parts to ache slightly with each swing and hit. This time, those discomforts disappeared, thanks to this bat. Additionally, the aluminum construction also offers a loud pop with each hit.

On the downside, we noticed a slight rattle when the bat meets the ball. Although it’s not significantly apparent, we fear that long-term use may introduce certain health concerns.

Pick #8 – Easton MAXUM 360

If we had to pick to words to describe the Easton MAXUM 360 as a whole, they would be ‘surprising’ and ‘impressive.’ If held with the right hands, this baseball bat could become a game-changer.

Take note that the Easton Maxum has a single piece composite construction, creating a massive barrel. With this design, our little leaguer can hit the ball better than before. But this additional size and weight doesn’t introduce unnecessary heftiness to the bat’s overall construction. According to our young team member, the bat still ultra-light and still feels great once picked up.

Furthermore, durability is perhaps the best feature provided by this baseball bat. It feels incredibly sturdy to the touch, which means that it should last for many years. It also means that we can pass this bat to our future little leaguers without significant worries.

However, we noticed a significant lack of ‘pop’ with each hit. Although this feature doesn’t revoke the excellent performance of this baseball bat, we wanted to hear that sound to increase the excitement felt by the hitter and the onlookers.

Pick #9 – DeMarini 2019 Uprising

At first glance, we thought that the DeMarini 2019 Uprising baseball bat is too big for one of our 7-year-old team members. However, real-world testing proved us wrong as our young baseball player felt that there was almost nothing wrong with this bat’s size.

Our young teammate proceeded to remove our doubts by showing us that he could produce hit after hit with this baseball bat. We noticed that it was because of the longer-than-average length, allowing him to make this bat meet with the ball without overextending his arm.

Moving forward, and like the Eason MAXUM 360, the DeMarini Uprising is reasonably sturdy. Our child baseball player even had some ‘sword’ fights with this bat with his fellow teammates in the field. After roughhousing for a bit, we noticed that the bat didn’t have dents or warps. Furthermore, we didn’t find increased signs of wear and tear.

Finally, this particular bat has a good balance between size and weight. It’s not too heavy or too light in the hands of our little leaguer. Plus, we even noticed that his form improved when using this bat.

Although this baseball bat shares a similar sturdiness with the Easton MAXUM 360, it also shares a similar issue – the pop. In other words, the popping sound with each hit is slightly less than what we heard from other notable baseball bats for kids. Still, this minor shortcoming isn’t a major deal-breaker.

Pick #10 – Marucci CAT9 -10

Ultimately, we found the Marucci CAT 9 -10 is an ideal baseball bat for power hitters. If you’re wondering why, continue reading to find out how we arrived at this conclusion.

First, this baseball bat is using an AZR alloy for improved performance and comfort. This new material features a more responsive microstructure, providing a better feel upon contact. Plus, this bat has an upgraded harmonic dampening system that reduces vibrations, reducing the risks of long-term health concerns during swings and hits.

Furthermore, this baseball bat features a longitudinal groove system (LGS) system is that it helps in weight distribution and reduction. It also enhances the performance of the bat, according to our young teammate. The Cat 9 also has a ring-free barrel construction that increases the overall performance one step further.

Finally, the AZR material is quite durable. We found no immediate signs of wear and tear after significant testing. Therefore, power hitters and players who can frequently meet this bat with many balls can use this product for years to come.

On the downside, our little leaguer found that mishits feel more distressful when using this bat. The hefty build makes it bat follow through more than it should, causing a slightly additional strain on our young team member’s body.

Our Top Pick: Easton 2021 Speed Comp Youth Baseball Bat

After buying and reviewing different kids baseball bats from the market, we still think that the Easton 2021 Speed Comp Youth baseball bat is our top-rated pick.

It’s a great piece of equipment for youth and little leaguers. Plus, it has a reasonably lightweight frame that still promotes a reasonable amount of heft with each swing and hit.

Check the low price on Amazon.

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