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