Written by Mark Bailey
Choosing the right bat for young players between 7 and 12 years old is crucial for their comfort and performance at the plate. Our roundup of the best baseball bats for this age group will ensure your young slugger has the perfect tool to hit their stride.
Baseball Bats For 7-12 Year-Olds: Key Factors
As I briefly mentioned above, there are lots of things to consider when hunting down the ideal baseball bat for your kid. It’s crucial that he doesn’t get disheartened because of a bat that’s too heavy, too light, or simply not good enough.
It can be a daunting, pressurizing, and frankly overwhelming process. I’m here to help take the weight off your mind and find the bat that is right for your young star in the making. Here are the key factors you need to consider before making a purchase:
Bat Weight
Alongside the length (which I’ll get to next), this is a crucial thing to consider. If the bat is too heavy or too light for your kid, it’s going to impact their game and their confidence.
Naturally, a very heavy bat is something you should definitely avoid at this stage of your child’s development; if it’s too heavy for them to swing, it’s of no use at all!
Likewise, a very light bat will have the opposite effect; if it’s too light, it will severely limit your kids’ ability to send the ball farther.
The weight of the bat doesn’t have a ‘one size fits all’ rule; you’re looking for something in between heavy and light but with a bit of room for flexibility – it won’t be dead in the middle.
Bat Length
Another equally important factor is the length of the baseball bat for your 7-12-year-old. Again, this is a fine balancing act between too long and too short.
If the bat is too long, your child will find it more difficult to swing effectively. If it is too short, the surface space of the bat will be too small of a target for the ball to connect with.
Your average 8 or 9-year-old kid should be able to swing a 27 to 29-inch bat pretty comfortably; there is room for error, though. Once more, you want something in-between but with room for flexibility depending on your child’s height and weight.
So how do you work out whereabouts on the weight and length scale your child is?
It’s time to get the measuring stick out.
This baseball bat sizing chart will significantly narrow the target range that you are looking for when searching for baseball bats for your kid. Measure your kids’ height and weight, and then use the chart to find the bat size you’re looking for.
Now you have a very good idea of what length and weight of bat you’re looking for!
That’s a big chunk of the job done. Let’s carry on with some more important things to consider.
Bat Drop
Something else to consider is the drop of the bat. It’s important to note that the drop of the bat is determined by the length and weight of the bat, so the job should be done for you here in most cases.
In simple terms, the drop of the bat is calculated by the difference between a bat’s length and weight. For example, a 28-inch long bat that weighs 20 ounces will have a drop of -8.
28 (length) – 20 (weight) = 8. It’s pretty straightforward; all that you need to remember to calculate the drop is the formula.
It’s important to note that if your kid is playing in a baseball league, that the league may have certain policies regarding the maximum drop it will allow. If you’re unsure, get in contact with your kids’ league to find out if they have an active policy for this.
Speaking of policies and rules, that takes us on to the penultimate factor to consider…
Rules and Regulations
Before you invest in your child’s baseball game, it is important to check out all of the rules and regulations of the league your kid is playing in.
There would be nothing worse than investing $300 on a top-of-the-range bat and then finding out that your child cannot use it in their competitive league.
There really shouldn’t be that many strict rules regarding the choice of the bat at 7 to 12-year-old levels, but there could be. It’s worth checking out to make 100% sure.
For example, there are some youth leagues that require the Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of the bat to be 1.15. Some youth leagues require the bat barrel to be between 2 ¼” and 2 ⅝”.
If you’re still in a bit of doubt, look for a bat that is certified by the USSSA, or a similar certified body, such as the ASA.
The bat will either specifically mention the certified body in the sale listing, or you will see the certification stamp of the relevant body on the bat.
Now, I’ve left the most important factor until last, and it’s the one that can be forgotten about…
Your Kid
When you’re searching for the best baseball bat for your 7-12-year-old, it can be very easy to get caught up in all the choices and options, and the most important person in all of this can be forgotten about.
Now, please don’t think I’m accusing you of forgetting your kid and leaving him in the grocery store!
What I’m saying is, take your kid into consideration. At 7-12 years old, he’s at a delicate stage in his life.
Does he want to pursue baseball seriously? Does he just want to play for fun with his friends? His thoughts and feelings are what matter most when buying him a baseball bat.
At such a young age, he may not know if he wants to play baseball seriously in later life. On the contrary, he may have his heart completely set on it!
If he just wants to have a bit of fun from time to time, it wouldn’t be wise to drop $300-400 on a top-of-the-range bat.
If he’s showing signs of wanting to play seriously either now or as he gets older, you should encourage him, and will want to invest in a bat at this price range.
Who knows, you might have the next Babe Ruth in your family…OK, it’s unlikely, but anywhere close would be fine, right?!
Now is the time to find out what your kids’ thoughts and feelings are on what direction he wants to go.
Baseball Bats For 7-12 Year-Olds: The Choices
So then, that’s the research taken care of. Now you’re screaming ‘show me the bats’ at me.
I’ve broken it down by each year of age so you can find one that is specifically right for your kid’s age.
The bats chosen also come in a range of lengths and weight sizes, so you can find the specification you need.
Just to be crystal clear, if your child is 7 but will be 8 in two or three months’ time, look at the 8-year-old category rather than the 7-year-old.
Not only will your kid be all but ready to progress, you’ll get more time and value for money.
Best Baseball Bat For A 7-Year-Old
Here is what we consider to be the best bat you can buy for a seven-year-old, and the reasons why we have chosen it.
DeMarini 2020 Voodoo
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Our choice for a 7-year-old is from one of the best youth bat brands in the world; DeMarini.
The DeMarini 2020 Voodoo comes with a stunning design that is sure to catch the eye of any adult, never mind a young child! Your kid will be the envy of the entire league when they catch a glimpse of this one on the field.
The good points don’t stop at the design, though; the bat comes in a variety of different drop sizes, and we would aim towards the -9 and -10 levels at this stage of your kids’ development.
The bat comes with a maximum 2 5/8” barrel which will help your kid with their ball connection immensely.
This bat is also USSSA-approved, so you will have no problems whatsoever in its use for competitive league play.
Best Baseball Bat For A 8-Year-Old
Now we move on to the eight-year-old market; not a big jump up, and the DeMarini 2020 Voodoo would definitely be suitable here too. It’s good to have options though, so here’s another top option for your 8-year-old.
Rawlings 2020 Quatro Pro
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I have an extra-detailed review available for this bat!
Check out our Rawlings 2020 Quatro Pro review.
There’s a full-length review on this offering from Rawlings for a reason; it’s good. Very good, in fact.
The 2020 Quatro Pro comes in a range of different drop sizes, and you’re sure to find a size that is pretty much spot on. The main drop sizes in production are -12, -10, and -8, which will cover even the pickiest of players.
The bat is made out of a material called carbon fiber composite; this material is tough and will last for a very long time. I know what kids can be like, and this bat will withstand even the roughest of treatment!
Like the 2020 Voodoo, this bat is officially certified for all youth leagues.
Best Baseball Bat For A 9-Year-Old
Next up is the best baseball bat for a 9-year-old. There are a number of similar bats from the same company for this next one, but I’ll explain why I picked this one specifically.
Louisville Slugger Solo SPD
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It’s an understatement to say Louisville Slugger, probably my favorite bat brand has smashed it out of the park with its 2020 range. They’ve smashed it out of this galaxy.
There’s a large range of bats from them this year, including the Louisville Slugger 2020 Prime, but the best choice for me for a 9-year-old would be the Solo SPD.
Why? It’s weight. It’s the lightest of the range, making it more suitable for younger kids, but it doesn’t lose any quality against the other options.
This can reach an incredible drop of 13. Yes, -13. There is a range of different sizes once more to fit your kid.
Like all of the choices on this page, the bat is USA approved for use at all youth levels.
Best Baseball Bat For A 10-Year-Old
Let’s continue on to our choice for a 10-year-old. We’re heading back to the brand of DeMarini once more and for good reason.
DeMarini 2020 CF Zen
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We have an extra-detailed review available for this bat!
Check out our DeMarini 2020 CF Zen review.
This bat stands out purely because it comes in such a large size but feels so light to swing.
If your kid is playing in the USSSA or any certified league, it will be extremely difficult to find a bat more suitable than the CF Zen.
With a 2 3/4″ barrel, it takes size to the absolute limit. You also have the choice of going a little heavier with the -8 model.
If you’re wondering whether this bat will sacrifice speed swing because of the bigger barrel, simply put, it doesn’t.
Best Baseball Bat For A 11-Year-Old
It’s time to take a look at what is out there for an 11-year-old. They had to come into consideration soon, and it’s time. I’ve picked out this beauty from Easton.
Easton 2020 Ghost
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We have an extra-detailed review available for this bat!
Check out our Easton 2020 Ghost review.
They had to pop up eventually; Easton is one of the first brands that come to mind when you mention baseball bats.
If you’re unsure of the right size for your kid at this age, fear not. The 2020 Ghost comes in such a vast arrange of drops and specifications that it will be impossible to not find the right one.
The thing that stands out most is the balance of this bat. Neither swing speed nor hitting power is compromised by the other.
You might have noticed from the sidebar that we’ve picked this bat out as the best fast-pitch bat for 2020; it’s USSSA-approved but for fast-pitch only. Bare that in mind.
It also comes fully certified for use in the ASA (USA), NSA, ISA, and ISF.
Best Baseball Bat For A 12-Year-Old
Finally, it’s time to look at the best baseball bat for a 12-year-old. You may be last on the list, but you are certainly as important! I have to give a little bit of a spoiler warning for this one; I might have mentioned it earlier on.
Louisville Slugger 2020 Prime
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As I was deciding on my final choice in the 12-year-old category, I couldn’t help but notice what this customer on Amazon had to say about the LS 2020 Prime:
“My son loves this bat. It’s a 3 piece, and he really can tell the difference. As he progresses in the sport, it’s worth it to get him good equipment. He loves this bat.”
I couldn’t have put it better myself, but I will expand on it.
The key word in that review is signs of progress or progression. I picked the Solo SPD for a 9-year-old earlier because, at that age, the lighter bat is preferable.
By the time your kid reaches 12 though, they will be ready to move on to bigger things. The 2020 prime is everything and more at this stage of their life.
It features a 2 5/8” barrel, which under USA rules, is the maximum allowed. Once more, it comes in a range of sizes from 28″/18 to 32″/22. You are spoilt for choice.
Final Words
So, there you have it. Not only have I already produced a list of the best bats for youth baseball already in 2021, but I have now gone one step further and narrowed it down to each year of age from 7 to 12.
Got a comment or question? Please feel free to comment below, and I will get back to you. If you liked the article, I would also really appreciate a social share or two!
I wish you and your kid every success as they progress through their younger years in the world of baseball. Hopefully, I have been a big help with their progress.