How to Choose a Soft Baseball Bat for Beginners

One of the joys of playing amateur baseball is buying equipment.
I think this is where individual preferences come into play, such as with gloves, bats, and uniforms.
This time, I'd like to consider the points to take into account when choosing a bat.

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material

While there are many different types of materials used for baseball bats, it's easiest to understand them by dividing them into two categories: special materials known as "bats that hit far" and all other materials.

Flying materials

They can be divided into two types: soft, urethane-based types such as "Beyond Max," and hard, metal-based types such as "Catalyst."
Both are quite expensive, with list prices ranging from 35,000 to 40,000 yen.
Players with experience in hardball baseball often say that they prefer the harder feel of bats like the Catalyst to the duller feel of the Beyond.
I think the advantage of the Beyond series is that the momentum of the hit ball is less diminished.
For batters who tend to hit long fly balls, I'm almost certain that their hitting distance will increase.

I think the advantage of metal-type BBs like the Catalyst lies in their high initial velocity.
In other words, when you hit a ground ball or a line drive, the initial velocity is faster, and I feel like there are more chances to get the ball past the infielders.
While both undoubtedly "fly," their mechanisms are different.
Personally, I recommend metal bats for average hitters because they tend to fly further, while power hitters should opt for bats like the Beyond series.

Other materials

These are metal bats made from materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum alloy, and super duralumin.
The price range is around 10,000 to 20,000 yen at list price.
There are many lightweight models available, and in short, there's a wide variety to choose from.
Starting with this bat is definitely not a bad idea.
Aluminum alloys, in particular, don't offer great distance, but they are often lightweight and easy to use, making them suitable for beginners.

weight

The weight of the bat is a very important point.
Naturally, the heavier the ball, the further it will travel.
However, a decrease in swing speed can lead to a decrease in distance, and there are also disadvantages such as being unable to hit inside fastballs.

Since kinetic energy is determined by "speed squared × weight," swing speed (velocity) is considered more important than the weight of the bat.

Therefore, it can be said that choosing something that feels slightly lighter than you might expect offers greater advantages.
While opportunities to measure swing speed are rare, if increasing the bat's weight by 10g results in a decrease in swing speed of approximately 0.85km/h or less, then the kinetic energy will be positive.

However, a decrease in swing speed inevitably reduces the time you can watch the ball, which increases other disadvantages.

balance

There are different types of balances for bats: top-balanced, middle-balanced, and counter-balanced, each with a different center of gravity located at the tip, middle, and handle of the bat.
While it's a matter of personal preference, I generally think that if you feel your bat is heavy, you should go for a top-balanced bat, and if you feel it's light, you should go for a counter-balanced bat.

The reason is that the closer the center of gravity is to the tip, the easier it is to swing the bat using its own weight.
From a bat control perspective, a top-balanced bat is the most difficult to control.
While counterbalanced bats make bat control easier, they require you to swing through with your own strength.

length

I think the length is mostly around 83cm or 84cm.
Each option has its pros and cons, so you can choose based on your preference.
If I had to recommend one, I'd suggest a longer bat.
The reason is that you can shorten a long bat by holding it a little shorter, but you can't do the reverse.

summary

In summary, most elements of a bat are in a trade-off relationship.
In other words,Should you prioritize bat control or power?That's the point.
Initially, I wouldn't recommend a bat that specializes in one or the other.
I believe that with baseball bats, you develop your own preferences as you use them, and your preferences naturally become clear.
And a bat is, after all, just a tool.We must not forget that the most important thing is the skill of the person using it.