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Should you buy a drop 7 bat or a drop 9 bat?
This is a common situation that confuses a lot of players and parents who buy a baseball bat.
You may have asked yourself this question multiple times, “what does drop mean?”
So, I tried to explain everything in this non-confusing article.
So, let’s get started.
Jump to this section: Comparison table of Drop 5, 8, 10, and 11 Bats
Jump to this section: Best 2022 Bats in Specific Drop Weight Range
What Does Drop Mean in Baseball Bats?
In simple terms, the difference between the bat weight and bat length is termed as the ‘drop’ or ‘drop weight’ of your baseball bat.
If the length of your bat is 31 inches from tip to tip, and the weight is 20 ounces, then it’ll have a drop of 11 or -11.
Example:
Bat length: 30 inches
Bat weight: 25 ounces
25 – 30 = -5 (a negative number)
Drop: -5
In a more simple language, the drop represents the lightness of a bat for a particular bat length.
If a certain length bat has a high drop that means it is lighter as compared to another bat with the same length but less drop.
I know, this might be confusing for you.
Let’s take another example
If you have two bats of the same length of 30 inches, but different drop weights.
The drop of Bat 1: -5
The drop of Bat 2: -7
Now, you can guess that bat 2 has a higher drop than bat 1. So, bat 2 will be lighter than bat 1 or you can say bat 1 is heavier.
Therefore,
Weight of Bat 1: 30 – 5 = 25 ounces
Weight of Bat 2: 30 – 7 = 23 ounces
Comparing Drop 5, 8, 10, and 11 Bats
We can learn a lot by comparing 2 or more bats of different drop weights. So, after doing some research, I have created this comparison table.
In this comparison, you can see 4 bats of a similar price range but their drop weight is different. But, they’re one of the best bats in their category. So, it’ll be interesting to see the comparison of some of the best bats of the almost same price range.
here it is: Comparison of Different Drop Weight Bat
How to Find the Drop Weight of your Baseball Bat?
The drop weight of your bat is generally mentioned somewhere on the barrel of the bat.
Whether you have a bat of Easton, Rawlings, DeMarini, Louisville Slugger, or any other brand, you can find the drop weight mentioned on the barrel.
It’ll be mentioned as -10, -11, or whatever drop your bat has.
What is the Purpose of the ‘Bat Drop’ Concept?
You may be wondering “why this ‘drop’ concept was introduced.”
“I can purchase a baseball bat without thinking about drop weight.”
Let me tell you about it in easy language.
The slow-pitch bats are not available in different lengths just like baseball and fast-pitch bats.
All the slow-pitch bats are 34 inches in length. So, if you want to buy a slow pitch bat, then you will only have to think about the weight.
You can just say, “Hey, I need a bat of 27 ounces weight” or “I need a bat of 29 ounces weight”.
But, if you want to buy a good fastpitch softball bat or baseball bat, then that 27 ounces bat is available in different lengths.
Therefore, the concept of drop weight was introduced so that brands can manufacture bats with certain lengths and weights.
It also helps the player to find a bat that will be of the perfect length according to their height, and of perfect weight according to their strength.
The Effect of High Bat Drop vs. Low Bat Drop
Now, you already know the difference between a high drop and a low drop.
The high drop bats are more comfortable to swing, and players can swing them at a fast speed. But, buying a high drop bat is not always the best decision.
You can swing a high drop bat at a fast speed, but at the same time, you have to drive more force to hit a ball.
On the other hand, you may not able to swing a low drop bat as fast as the high drop, but these bats transfer more energy.
For young players, who can’t swing a bat at fast speed, high drop bats are the best option. Whether they should go with drop 10, drop 11, or 12 depends on a few factors which we will discuss above.
While for the bigger and stronger kids, a heavier bat is required with a low drop weight. The low drop bats will slow the swing speed a little bit, but that’s okay. For them, drop 8, drop 9 or drop 10 may be a good choice.
What Bat Drop is Required for High School & College Baseball?
For High School and College Baseball, the drop weight of a baseball bat cannot be more than -3.
All the players who play in High School Leagues and Collegiate Leagues that follow NFHS and NCAA rules need a baseball bat that meets the BBCOR standards.
What are BBCOR Standards?
For playing in high school and college baseball leagues your baseball bat should be BBCOR Certified.
All the BBCOR Certified bats can’t have drop weights higher than -3.
The bat length can’t be more than 36 inches, and the barrel diameter can’t be more than 2 5/8 inches.
If you want to learn more about BBCOR, then you can read another article that gives a clear explanation of the BBCOR Concept.
What is the Best Drop 3 BBCOR Baseball Bat?
If you are interested to learn about the best options you have, then you should read my other article that talks about some top-rated BBCOR Bats for Power Hitters.
But, if I have to recommend you a BBCOR Certified bat for your league, then I’ll suggest you Demarini CF (-3) BBCOR Baseball Bat.
Along with following the BBCOR Standards, this bat is a vast improvement from the previous models. This composite bat comes with proper weight distribution that makes it super easy to control & swing.
But, it is expensive. You should check the Price of the Marucci CAT8 (-3) BBCOR Baseball Bat, and ask yourself if you can afford it.
Which are the Best Bats for Young Players?
Best Drop 5 Baseball Bats
Best Drop 8 Baseball Bats
Best Drop 10 Baseball Bats
Best Drop 12 Baseball Bats
Which Bat Drop is Good for Young Players?
This depends on the strength of the young players and how fast they can swing a bat.
The young players who can’t swing a bat at a high speed, for them, drop 10 to drop 13 bats are good.
If a young player uses a low bat drop weight, then it’ll slow his swing speed, and he’ll not be able to hit the ball with much force
If a player has a good physique and plenty of bat speed, then going with drop 8 to drop 10 is a good choice.
Some kids take high drop bats by thinking that lighter bats will allow them to swing faster.
Yes, they’re correct. But, choosing that kind of bat may not help them to improve their performance.
Finding a Perfect Bat Drop for Your Body
What drop is perfect for a player is hard to tell by just looking at the player.
Yes, you can guess, but it may not be the best idea.
A little test can help you find the perfect drop weight for you or for your kids.
Little Test for Finding Perfect Bat Drop
Try holding the bat at the right or left side of you (in your primary hand) for about 30 to 45 seconds without dipping down.
If you can do that, then it’s a good bat for you.
If you find it very difficult to hold the bat for that long, then you need a lighter bat.
Keep testing it with a lighter bat, until you pass this test.
In the end, you’ll get an idea about which drop weight is suitable for you.
What If I Can’t Test with Bats?
If you are purchasing your bat from a sports store, then you can do this test.
But if you’re purchasing online, then it will not be possible for you to try this test with an actual bat.
In that case, instead of a bat, take this test with other things like vegetables, books, etc having similar weight.
Will It Affect My Performance If I Move to Different Drop Weight?
Yes, it’ll surely affect your performance.
Whether your performance will improve or degrade depends if you move to the perfect drop weight as per your body or not.
If you are using a bat with more or less drop than required, then you should definitely move to a bat of a different drop.
If you move to a higher drop weight, that means your new bat will be lighter as compared to the previous one. With a lighter bat, you will be able to swing your bat at a faster speed, but you also have to put more force while hitting the ball.
As you’ll not have much experience with the lighter bat, so you may swing the bat before the ball comes. By using a lighter bat, you may not able to strike a ball as hard as you were able to do before.
On the other hand, if you move to low drop weight, means your new bat will be heavier than the previous one.
If the bat is too heavy for you that it’ll significantly decrease your swing speed, and you’ll miss many pitches.
Even if you manage to hit balls but you will not be able to hit as hard as you were hitting with a particular drop bat, which was perfect for your body.
What is the Ideal Drop Weight to Begin?
The coaches suggest that you should choose a bat with no more than drop 8.
This number might change a unit above or below depending upon the personal experiences of a player.
Some coaches suggest this drop weight because this will provide a little bit of weight at the barrel of your bat, and you can feel it.
This will help you in the long run.
Sure, you can buy a drop 9 bat if you are a lightweight player with a weak body as per your age.
The Final Thoughts
Whether you are buying your bat online or offline, you should take a close look at what drop you’re getting. The drop weight is applicable on both baseball and fastpitch bats, but keep in mind that drop weight is not applicable in bats that are used for slowpitch softball.
If you are unsure about which bat drop you should consider, then try that little test to figure out.
If you are still confused or want to share your experience, then use the comment box. I’ll reply back as soon as possible.
FAQs
Is a drop 8 or drop 10 better? ›
“Drop 8 bats tend to have a bit more weight to them, helping with mass transfer on contact,” Stevens said. “These bats carry more barrel than drop 10 bats, so if you are strong enough to move up to a drop 8, it's highly recommended.” The 2022 Louisville Slugger Meta and Solo are available in drop 8 bat drops.
What drop should a 13 year old use? ›Players 11-12 years old will often use a -8 weight drop, and 13-year-old players often use a -5 weight drop to help them prepare for the transition to BBCOR play.
Can you use a drop 8 in 13U? ›A maximum of drop 8 (-8) will be the new bat restriction for the 13U age group. This will only apply to 13U events and teams playing in 13U events. See USSSA rule below.
What is a drop 13 bat? ›The drop 13 means that the weight of the bat in ounces is 13 less than the length of the bat in inches. It's all about control, but the following drop 13 youth bats offer a lot more than that.
Should an 11 year old swing a drop 8? ›Weight drops vary in Senior League baseball, but players 10 years old and under often use -10 weight drop bat. Players 12 years old and up are now required to swing (-8) or (-5).
What drop do high school players use? ›Age 14 to 16, drop 10 • Age 16 and up, Drop 8oz to 10oz. Drop 10 is still the most popular drop, but some power hitters prefer a drop 9. *Bat Weight is also a preference. There are some over 14 players that prefer and use lighter bats.
Can you use a drop 8 in 12u? ›Best Baseball Bat for 12 Year Olds
If you are in a USSSA league, then the best bats for 12-year-olds are drop 8 two-piece composite bats with big barrels and a balanced swing.
Effective January 1, 2020 all 13U events and all Teams in 13U events must use a maximum of drop 8 (-8) bat with the official USSSA 1.15 BPF mark permanently stamped.
What drop weight should a 12 year old use? ›For 12-13 year olds playing Pony, Junior, or Senior League level, we recommend a youth bat length-to-weight ratio of -5. For example, a 31” bat weighs 26 ounces. This drop weight gives the young hitter a very manageable weight transition between a youth bat and a high-school age bat.
What age should you use a drop 8? ›What Age Uses Drop 8 Bat? Drop 8 bats are ideal for players aged 12 and up. These bats are longer in length and have a heavier weight than most youth bats, making them the perfect choice for players who are looking for a bat that can help them with power, accuracy, and control.
How do I choose a bat drop? ›
Personal Preference: Determining bat drop weight for baseball bat fitting often comes down to personal preference. Heavier bats may be more appropriate for contact and control hitters who perform well with slower bat speed. However, power hitters might want a lighter bat drop size for a quicker swing through the zone.
When should I switch to a drop 8 bat? ›If you can swing a drop 8 bat in a 30 inch (so at least a 30/22) as fast as you can swing a 31/21 or 32/22 then we suggest you go a drop 8. However, if you can't or if you are still swinging a 30/20 or lower in the drop 10, then stick with the drop 10.
What does drop 11 mean on a bat? ›A -11 drop means that the bat is 11 ounces lighter then the length of the bat. In our bat, the 30 inch bat would weigh 19 ounces (-11), and so on. The higher the weight drop, the lighter the bat. For example, a baseball bat with a -11 weight drop would be lighter than a bat with a -3 weight drop.
Can a 12 year old swing a drop 5 bat? ›Weight drops vary in Senior League baseball, but players 10 years old and under often use -10 weight drop bat. Players 12 years old and under often use a -8 weight drop, and 13 year old players often use a -5 weight drop. These are recommendations.
What is a drop 8? ›What is a Drop 8 Bat? Drop 8 bats have a length to weight difference of 8—meaning the difference between the length of the bat in inches and the weight of the bat in ounces is 8. So, for example, a 30-inch bat in a drop 8 would weigh 22 ounces.
Is a drop 3 bat heavy? ›How heavy is a drop 3 baseball bat? The weight of a drop 3 bat will vary depending on its length, but most drop 3 bats fall in the 27-32 ounce range.
How do you know if a bat is too light? ›Anything with a -4 ratio or higher is simply too light for play in high school or equivalent teams. Batters with the ability to swing that fast and that hard pose a risk to other players.
What drop should a 9 year old use? ›The right bat size for a 9-year-old, as determined by actual usage, is a 28 or 29-inch drop 10 bat. The drop is the numerical difference between the length of the bat in inches and the weight in ounces. 28 and 29-inch bats in an 18 to 20-ounce weight range make up more than 80% of total 9U bat usage.
What does drop 12 mean on a bat? ›The smaller the drop, the heavier the bat.
In each of those categories, there will be a number e.g. -10oz, -11oz, -12oz etc. Those numbers are the DROP that represent the weight difference between the length and the actual weight of the bat.
The heavier the bat, the more powerful it will feel when you hit balls with it. The drop 3 baseball bat is typically one of the lightest bats available on the market which makes it ideal for beginners or those who are looking for an easy swing that doesn't require too much power.
How many ounces is a drop 5 bat? ›
A 30-inch bat with a drop -10 will weigh 20 ounces. Meanwhile a 30-inch, drop -5 bat will weigh 25 ounces.
How do you know if a bat is too heavy? ›The first, simple test is to have your kid hold the bat straight out in front of them, parallel to the ground, with their dominant hand. If they can't keep the bat steady in this position for 20 seconds, then the bat's probably too heavy. Another test to try is evaluating your hitter's soft toss performance.
Can you lead off in 12u baseball? ›On any play at home plate, players must slide feet first and avoid a collision with the catcher. The catcher may block the plate only if he has the ball. Lead offs are allowed. Players may advance on overthrows from the catcher back to the pitcher.
Are 2 3 4 barrel bats legal? ›Must be certified with USABat licensing mark stamped on the bat. 2-¾” barrel bats are prohibited in all divisions of PONY Baseball. COLT 16U™ and PALOMINO 19U™ are only allowed to use 2-⅝″ -3 BBCOR certified bats. THOROBRED 23U™ League must use wooden bats only as specified by Major League Baseball.
What drop bat should a 6 year old use? ›We surveyed dozens of parents of 6-year-olds about the size of bat they use. The right size bat for most 6 years old is either a drop 12 26/14 or a drop 10 26/16. We suggest you stay in that range of 14 to 16 ounces regardless of what bat you get.
What ounce bat should a 13 year old use? ›The right size bat for a 13-year-old depends on their league. If it's BBCOR, the most common bat size is 31/28, followed by 32/29. If you're in USSSA or USA, the correct bat size for most 13-year-olds is a 32/27.
What is a good bat for a 13 year old? ›Players between age 12 and 13 will be best served with a bat that has a length of 29 inches to 32 inches. High school and college baseball players will need a lengthier bat than those playing little league baseball.
How many pounds should you be at age 12? ›The averages for 12-year-olds are 89 pounds, for males, and 92 pounds, for females. However, beyond biological sex, many other factors influence someone's weight at this age, including their height, body composition, the onset of puberty, environmental factors, and underlying health issues.
What does drop 8 mean on a bat? ›Bat drop is printed weight, in ounces, minus printed length, in inches. For example, a bat labeled 13.5 ounces and 26 inches has a bat drop of minus 12.5 (13.5-26 = -12.5). To get the right bat, you just need to match the right drop, weight, and length printed on the bat to the age, height, and weight of the player.
How many ounces is a drop 11 bat? ›"Drop" is the difference between bat length (inches) and weight (ounces). A -11 (drop 11) 31 inch bat will weigh 20 oz.
What does drop 3 mean on a bat? ›
Drop 3 baseball bats are the required bats for high school and college play. Choosing the right drop 3 baseball bat is a great step forward for your hitting career. To start, the term drop 3 refers to the weight to length ratio of the bat. To explain, if a bat is 31 inches in length then it will weigh 28 ounces.
What is a drop 10 bat? ›A drop 10 bat means a bat whose length (in inches) is 10 units higher than the bat's stated weight (in ounces). So a 31-inch drop 10 bat has a scale weight (roughly) of 21 ounces.
What size bat is best for 7 year old? ›The right bat size for most 7-year-olds is a 27/17. We know this because we surveyed hundreds of parents of small players and found that 7-year-olds are most happy with a 27/17 and swing it most often. The next most popular bat was a 28/18 followed by the 26/16.
What size bat is a drop 3? ›To be labeled a BBCOR or drop 3 baseball bat, the equipment must have a barrel that is 2-5/8″ or smaller in diameter combined with a maximum -3 length to weight ratio. This ratio is referred to as the drop of the bat, and it provides information on the bat's length in inches and its weight in ounces.
What drop bat can I use for middle school? ›There are no "drop requirements" limiting the weight of bats. Also note that for you 8th graders planning on buying a bat to last you 2 years into your freshman year of high school, BBCOR drop 3 is also legal for middle school use.
Do heavier bats hit farther? ›So, using a heavier bat should result in faster hit balls, which means the hit ball will travel farther. If a player can maintain the same bat swing speed with a heavier bat, the heavier bat will produce higher batted ball velocity and an increase in distance.
Is it better to have a shorter or longer bat? ›If you're between lengths and don't know which to choose, it's usually best to pick the shorter (and lighter) bat for better bat speed and control, Trudeau said. “More often than not, a kid that's swinging a bat that's too heavy creates more bad habits than good,” he said.
Is a longer or shorter bat better? ›The important issue, the point of this article, is that a shorter bat is easier to handle, and especially for a youth baseball or softball player. Swinging a bat that is a bit shorter can significantly improve their ability to make better swings, improve their contact rate and the quality of their contact.
What drop bat should a 12-year-old use? ›We think the ideal bat for the average 12-year-old is a 31-inch drop 8 bat (which would make it 23 ounces).
What size bat is best for 12-year-old? ›The 27 to 29-inch range accounts for more than 80% of all 12-year-old bat sizes. If you're not sure, we suggest you go with an 18 or 17-ounce bat.
Is a drop 10 or drop 11 heavier? ›
For example, a 31-inch, 21-ounce bat carries a -10 drop weight. A general rule of thumb is the higher level of competition, the lower the drop weight, which means the bat feels heavier. A -8 fastpitch bat will feel much heavier than, for example, a -11 bat.
Does a drop 8 hit harder than a drop 10? ›Drop 8 vs Drop 10 Exit Speed Differences
Assuming you can swing a drop 8 as fast as you can swing a drop 10 then you should be able to hit a ball about 10% harder using the same length drop 8 as you did a drop 10.
The right size bat for a 13-year-old depends on their league. If it's BBCOR, the most common bat size is 31/28, followed by 32/29. If you're in USSSA or USA, the correct bat size for most 13-year-olds is a 32/27.
How do you tell if a bat is the right size for you? ›1) With your arm out to the side, put the knob of the bat in the center of your chest. If your fingers tips reach the end of the bat, you have the right size. 2) Put the bat to your side and as long as your palm reaches the handle, you have the right size.
What does 12 mean on a bat? ›This is called "drop" and is a negative number denoting the amount of ounces the bat weighs less than the amount of inches its length. For example, a 30-inch bat that weighs 20 ounces is a -10. The greatest differential commonly found is -12 for youth bats.
How long should a bat be for a 13 year old? ›Be sure to look at the drop weight (drop) as well. A bat's drop is the measurement determined by subtracting the weight from length. For example, a 20-ounce bat that is 30 inches long will have a drop of -10. The greater the drop weight (-12 drop is greater than -8 drop), the lighter the bat.
Is a drop 5 heavy? ›A 30-inch bat with a drop -10 will weigh 20 ounces. Meanwhile a 30-inch, drop -5 bat will weigh 25 ounces. Big Takeaway: The higher a bat's drop weight, the lighter the bat will be.