• Determine the Right Baseball Bat for You
• Explore Baseball Bat Options
• Find Baseball Bats on halfvalue
• Buy Baseball Bats With Confidence

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

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.

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.

Aluminum baseball bats

Lighter and stronger than wood, aluminum bats are designed to increase baseball bat speed and power, sometimes called "pop." Manufacturers blend aluminum with a variety of different metals to reinforce the baseball bat. Common alloys include:

• 7046: Standard alloy used in economical aluminum bats.
• Cu31/ 7050: Mid-range alloy, featuring zirconium and greater amounts of magnesium and copper than 7046.
• C405/ 7055: More expensive and stronger alloy than Cu31 with more zirconium.
• C555: Premium alloy for aluminum baseball bats with trace amounts of scandium. Manufacturers claim that it is seven percent stronger than C405.
• SC777: Newest, most advanced baseball bat alloy.

Manufacturers may also add a carbon lining to increase strength or cryogenically freeze a baseball bat to increase strength without adding weight.

Graphite baseball bats

Stronger and lighter than high-grade aluminum, graphite baseball bats are either made of a graphite-fiber composite material or have an aluminum core with graphite lining.

Titanium baseball bats

Stronger and lighter than high-grade aluminum, titanium baseball bats generally have an aluminum core and titanium lining or wall. Some softball associations have banned the use of titanium bats.

Wood baseball bats

Wood baseball bats, like those used in Major League Baseball, have the greatest selection of shape and taper (handle diameter). These affordable bats made of ash, maple, or bamboo offer less durability than metal baseball bats and can crack with regular use. They also weigh more than their metal counterparts.

• Categories: Use the links in the Categories list on the left side of the page to begin narrowing down item listings. You'll find links for adult baseball bats, wood baseball bats, youth baseball bats, fastpitch softball bats, slowpitch softball bats, and more.
• Keywords: Keywords can quickly help you narrow down your choices. Type the words you want to find into the Search box to find listings that match your specifications. For example, if you want a new SC777-alloy aluminum bat, type the keywords SC777 new.
• Let sellers help: A good item listing should include information about the type of bat and its materials, the name of the manufacturer, and a clear picture. If you want to know about information not included in a listing, email the seller your question by clicking "Ask seller a question" under the seller's profile.

 While you shop, don't forget a batting helmet, batting gloves, balls, sunglasses, and an equipment bag.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.
• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.
• Always make sure to complete your transaction on halfvalue (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of halfvalue are not covered by halfvalue protection programs.
• Never pay for your halfvalue item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?
• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?
• Most top halfvalue sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, halfvalue and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.
• halfvalue Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use halfvalue's quick and efficient resolution tools.