Not every pitch goes down the middle of the plate. To effectively turn on an inside ball or "go with the pitch" and hit to the opposite field, you'll need a baseball bat with the proper weight, length, and shape

Baseball bat weight

A player's age, height, weight, strength, and hitting style determine baseball bat weight. Generally, players in Little League or Youth League should use baseball bats between 16 and 23 ounces. At the high school and collegiate level, baseball bat weights generally range from 27 to 33 ounces

Little League (8-10 yrs)
Player Height	Bat Weight
48 to 50 inches	16 to 17 ounces
51 to 60+ inches	19 to 20 ounces

Youth League (11-12 yrs)
Player Weight	Bat Weight
70 to 80 lbs	18 to 19 ounces
81 to 141+ lbs.	22 to 23 ounces

High School & College
Player Height	Bat Weight
66 to 68 inches	27 to 28 ounces
69 to 77+ inches	30 to 33 ounces

Sellers may list baseball bat weight as a negative number, meaning the bat's weight equals the bat's length minus the indicated number. For example, a 32-inch baseball bat with a bat weight of -5 weighs 27 ounces (32 - 5 = 27). Baseball bats used at the high school and college level cannot have more than a -3 ounce weight-to-length ratio.

Heavier baseball bats can generate more power, but reduce bat speed. Lighter baseball bats offer increase speed and control, but reduce pop. The pros often gravitate toward lighter baseball bats which allow a player to make contact with the "fat of a bat" or its "sweet spot" more easily.

Baseball bat length

When standing on end, a baseball bat should come to your waist. Length ranges from 26 to 31 inches for Youth League and 32 to 36 inches for high school, collegiate, and professional players. A Little League baseball bat cannot measure more than 32 inches long.

Baseball bat shape

Look at the shape of a baseball bat, taking its barrel, taper, and grip into consideration.

• Barrel: Most barrels, the wide portion of a baseball bat that strikes a ball, measure 2 1/2, 2 5/8, or 2 9/16 inches in diameter. Longer and wider barrels provide a larger sweet spot. Lighter baseball bats have shorter and narrower barrels for increased speed and control.
• Taper: Taper refers to handle diameter and must fit a player's hands, allowing a comfortable grip. The taper on most baseball bats is 31/32 of an inch. A narrower taper allows you to rotate your wrists faster and "square up" on pitches more effectively. Little League baseball bats cannot measure more than 2.25 inches in diameter and baseball bats used in high school and college cannot measure more than 2 inches in diameter.
• Grip: Make sure your metal baseball bat has a proper leather, synthetic leather, or rubber grip. Leather grips will provide the best hold, but do not absorb vibration as effectively as rubber.