Are Wood Bats Better than Aluminum Bats (or other non-wood bats)?
This is an old question and, depending on your perspective, you get a different answer. The short answer is that, in the long-term, yes, a wood bat is a better option than an aluminum bat (or composite bat). When we say long-term, we mean a wood bat is better than an aluminum or composite bat for the strength and consistency of a player's swing and bat control as they grow up.
Short-term, however, aluminum and composite bats are typically better for young players because they are lighter and allow for more-immediate bat control and therefore better contact.
Short-term, however, aluminum and composite bats are typically better for young players because they are lighter and allow for more-immediate bat control and therefore better contact.
The Weight of the Bat is More Important than the Material it's Made Of
To simplify this, smaller kids aren't as strong as bigger and/or older kids, therefore they get better and more-immediate results out of a lighter bat (such as aluminum and composite bats). A little kid can pick up a light bat and swing it very easily. The problem with lighter bats is that they don't typically promote the proper swing mechanics, meaning that they don't help to really develop the muscles necessary for a proper, powerful and controlled swing like a heavier bat does.
As coaches, we see young hitters swing light bats with their hands a lot when in actuality, the real power and bat control in a swing comes from the legs. If you take a light bat, it's easy to swing it fast just using your arms. But picking up a heavier bat, you'll find that you need to use your whole body to swing the bat through the strike zone: your feet, knees and especially your hips suddenly have to get deeply involved to be able to swing the bat with any power and control.
By using a heavier bat at an earlier age, the player will be able to develop the strength necessary for proper, powerful swing mechanics.
As coaches, we see young hitters swing light bats with their hands a lot when in actuality, the real power and bat control in a swing comes from the legs. If you take a light bat, it's easy to swing it fast just using your arms. But picking up a heavier bat, you'll find that you need to use your whole body to swing the bat through the strike zone: your feet, knees and especially your hips suddenly have to get deeply involved to be able to swing the bat with any power and control.
By using a heavier bat at an earlier age, the player will be able to develop the strength necessary for proper, powerful swing mechanics.
Recommendations for Buying a Wood Bat for Youth Baseball Players
When players are young, we recommend using a wood bat in practice (if they can) to build swing strength and control at an early age, but using a lighter aluminum bat in games. Players will see the benefit pretty quickly upon switching from the heavier wood bat to their game bat.
Youth players typically swing a "drop -10" bat, meaning that the weight in ounces is 10 lower than the length of the bat.
Example: a 28 inch bat would weight 18 ounces; a 30 inch bat would weigh 20 ounces, etc.
A wooden bat that is equal in length to their game bat is recommended; that wood bat will typically be a drop -4 (28 inch, 24 oz.; 30 inch, 26 oz., etc.). The extra 6 ounces will be a challenge for them to swing, but since it's the same length bat the sweet spot won't change so they'll get an accurate gauge as to whether they hit the ball well or not.
Youth players typically swing a "drop -10" bat, meaning that the weight in ounces is 10 lower than the length of the bat.
Example: a 28 inch bat would weight 18 ounces; a 30 inch bat would weigh 20 ounces, etc.
A wooden bat that is equal in length to their game bat is recommended; that wood bat will typically be a drop -4 (28 inch, 24 oz.; 30 inch, 26 oz., etc.). The extra 6 ounces will be a challenge for them to swing, but since it's the same length bat the sweet spot won't change so they'll get an accurate gauge as to whether they hit the ball well or not.
Getting Ready for BBCOR (Drop -3) Weighted Bats for High School
For players who are around the 11-13 year old divisions in baseball, they should really start practicing with a drop -3 or even a drop -2 weighted wooden bat. They can still use their regular drop -10 bats in games, but in practice and even in the on-deck circle, they should be swinging the heavier wooden bat.
When players get to high school, two things happen: suddenly they're playing on a field that is the same size as a major-league field (90 feet between bases, etc.). We see a lot of players who just can't handle the larger-size diamond and can't even hit the ball past the infield dirt. Obviously, this is a problem, especially when they see guys on TV like Jose Altuve who's 5'6" hitting the ball 400+ feet. Developing their swing over time with a heavier, wooden bat gets them ready for the transition to the high school level of play... or even in the advanced divisions of youth baseball leagues (PONY, Babe Ruth, etc.).
The other thing that happens in high school baseball is that players are required to swing what is known as a "BBCOR" bat. These are bats that are regulated to be no lighter than a drop -3 weight. Players who suddenly try to switch from a drop -10 to a drop -3 really struggle. Coaches see the sudden flaws in their swings from the heavier bats and realize they have a lot of work to do. On the other hand, players who are already strong enough to control those heavier bats will have a smooth transition to high school baseball.
Consider all these recommendations, but remember that the main objective is for your kid to have fun playing baseball. Beyond that, no kid has ever thought it was fun to strike out, so helping them develop their swings early on in life can help them prolong the time they'r eable to enjoy playing the game of baseball.
When players get to high school, two things happen: suddenly they're playing on a field that is the same size as a major-league field (90 feet between bases, etc.). We see a lot of players who just can't handle the larger-size diamond and can't even hit the ball past the infield dirt. Obviously, this is a problem, especially when they see guys on TV like Jose Altuve who's 5'6" hitting the ball 400+ feet. Developing their swing over time with a heavier, wooden bat gets them ready for the transition to the high school level of play... or even in the advanced divisions of youth baseball leagues (PONY, Babe Ruth, etc.).
The other thing that happens in high school baseball is that players are required to swing what is known as a "BBCOR" bat. These are bats that are regulated to be no lighter than a drop -3 weight. Players who suddenly try to switch from a drop -10 to a drop -3 really struggle. Coaches see the sudden flaws in their swings from the heavier bats and realize they have a lot of work to do. On the other hand, players who are already strong enough to control those heavier bats will have a smooth transition to high school baseball.
Consider all these recommendations, but remember that the main objective is for your kid to have fun playing baseball. Beyond that, no kid has ever thought it was fun to strike out, so helping them develop their swings early on in life can help them prolong the time they'r eable to enjoy playing the game of baseball.