| Perhaps the most important aspect of baseball is | | | | choices, and formation can create the perfect |
| to have a bat that suits your needs. A bat's | | | | environment for a ball to go flying. These same |
| weight, length, and material can all have a positive | | | | bats are also far more susceptible to dents and |
| or negative affect on a batter's swing. Consider | | | | fractures; so increased technology is not |
| every option when choosing a baseball bat for | | | | necessarily the greatest option. Babe Ruth |
| yourself. | | | | managed to hit numerous home runs without |
| Bats come in all shapes and sizes. Wooden bats | | | | using today's streamlined bats. |
| are often popular with major leaguers, but some | | | | Batting cages often have balls pitched harder and |
| feel you get a better crack using a metal baseball | | | | faster than in a normal baseball game. If you |
| bat. There are restrictions, however, on which | | | | regularly practice in batting cages, consider a |
| bats can be used. | | | | metal bat. They are able to withstand the test of |
| Every league has rules on what material a bat can | | | | time better than one of today's wooden bats. |
| be made from and the circumference of the bat's | | | | Speaking of today's bats, some even have |
| barrel. Do not become ejected from a game | | | | nitrogen or helium inside. A bat enhanced with |
| because you failed to pay attention to the rules. | | | | these gasses allows more of a "trampoline |
| Ask the appropriate commissioner, umpire, or | | | | effect", meaning the ball literally bounces off the |
| coach to give you the rules on weight and height | | | | bat at impact. This causes the ball to travel |
| ratios. Remember that corked bats are not | | | | farther. |
| allowed for anything other than practice in many | | | | Visit stores and sample a variety of bats to find |
| leagues. | | | | which baseball bat feels best to you. There is no |
| When shopping for a bat, read the packaging. It is | | | | tried or true formula for choosing a length. For |
| becoming increasingly common for a bat to have | | | | this reason, it is far more beneficial to sample a |
| print directly on it that states, "Approved for such | | | | number of bats until you find a bat that feels like |
| and such a league." This can help you select a bat | | | | an extension of your arm. The bat should allow |
| that will meet your needs and any restrictions. | | | | you to swing freely without feeling like the weight |
| Baseball bats can be as low as $20 and as high as | | | | of the baseball bat is knocking you off balance. |
| $500. A pricey bat is not necessarily an excellent | | | | Never choose a bat that will last for a few years, |
| bat, just as an inexpensive bat does not mean | | | | especially for children. Any bat should fit for that |
| that bat is inferior quality. The key to making any | | | | immediate season, not be something a child grows |
| bat work for you is by practicing regularly. | | | | into. |
| Nonetheless, you should find a bat that is | | | | By following a few simple steps, you can find a |
| appropriate to your strengths and weaknesses. | | | | bat that feels natural. As an extension of yourself, |
| Today's bats are advanced. The thin walls, wood | | | | you are guaranteed to improve your swing! |