Bat Selection

I coach both Senior League(13-15) and Little League(10-12). The only barrel size approved for LL is 2 1/4 in. dia. while the 2 1/2, 2 5/8 and 2 3/4 in. dia. bats are approved for SL. As a great believer in bat speed, I tell the parents of my Little leaguers to buy the "lightest bat they can afford." With CU31 and C405 aluminum alloys, the 2 1/4 in. dia. bats are as much as 11 oz.(-11) lighter than the length in inches. I used to worry about the durability of such a bat but my 11 year old son started this past season with a 20 oz., 31 in. Worth Copperhead bat. Every kid on the team used it for every at bat for 22 games. Except for its well-used appearance it is none the worse for the wear. No dents, cracks or crazing. With the older, bigger and stronger Senior Leaguers I still stress buying the lightest bat you can afford. In the bigger barrels, you can get a -5 or a -7 bat. I understand National Federation(High School) rules only allow a bat that is no less than 5 oz.(-5) lighter than the length. I tell the boys to take that into consideration if they are buying a bat they hope to use playing high school or Legion ball. As far as the difference the larger hitting surface makes, I haven't seen any hard data. I do know my kids have no trouble hitting golf ball sized wiffle balls with a small barreled bat so that would lead me to believe the batter is more important than the bat.