DD new to softball question???

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I have an 11 year old DD that just started playing this year. She is 4' 7" and weighs 70 pounds....yep she's a little one. She wants a new bat and we have been looking around. The issue is, I really don't know what size to get her. My 8 year old has been playing a while and she is about 10 pounds lighter and 3 inches shorter and uses a 27 Easton Synge. For some reason I am at a loss with what to get this kiddo. Could someone give me some guidance? I would like her to be able to use this bat next year as well hopefully. Thanks

 

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Sizing tables would suggest a 30" bat.

Len

 

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Yes. Search bat size chart or similar phrase on the net and you can see the charts. Don't over think the bat. A great place to start is closeoutbats.com. Good pricing and customer service too. I'm sure Roy will be happy to put you on his email list

 

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Those CF3 bats on another thread for $75 sound like that could be a great deal for you.

 

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30 inches for length, for weight you have to find what she swings comfortably. a 30/20 would be ideal but if it is to heavy there are some real good 30/19 and 30/18 bats.

closeoutbats has some great prices, you can also find great deals on used bats as well. I just sold a like new combat for 445 and bought a used miken freak in great shape for 80.

 

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I would bet a 30/20 is too heavy. May need to go to 29. What I did was go to Dick's and swing some then look for used from ebay. I bought a couple at different sizes and resold what she didn't like. Good luck.

 

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Grab a few teammates bats in the 30/20, 30/19, and lighter and test them in a game. Do NOT get her a bat for next year that is to heavy this year. She will learn so many bad habits from this one decision that she'll end up in s-------r because she can't hit. She needs to get her bat speed up and learn bat control today. When she is a 5'-7; 140# beauty then she can use a heavier bat but she will have learned the proper batting mechanics and will have had some success.

I would rather you make a mistake by getting a to small bat than one that is to heavy. You don't by her shoes two sizes to large or a calculus book when she in doing geometry. Buy the right bat for now and the right bat later.

 

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Simplified view: My girls' hitting coach says pick a bat that, when resting on the barrel on the ground, touches the break in your daughter's wrist.

Depending on her arm length, I agree that'll probably be 29-30. One of my daughters is on the small side like yours (now 5'3 and 113 lbs). I felt like I could squeeze a bit more length by going light, so she spent a couple of years swinging -12 bats. 30/18. Only this year (16u) has she made it to -10 (32/22).

Composite is nice. But frankly, at the young ages, I always wanted something the girls were really excited about. That might have to do with the color scheme, not the bat's internal workings. If their eyes lit up every time they picked it up, I figured their chances of hitting just went up. If your daughter is already a softball geek, that may mean ordering a bat online. Demarini or something. If she's just a kid who likes to play, a run to Dick's may be the ticket.

Or, just get her something she can, and wants to, swing.

 

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I couldn't agree more with fairman. Don't go too heavy or you will be starting bad habits that you will never be able to fix. I have a little nugget who is 9 and has just recently reached 60 lbs...wahoo!!! She's small but oddly strong and she swings a 30 inch -12 bat. The Demarini Bustos is a nice light one as well as the Demarini Vendetta. At that age you should not be wasting your money on a CF4, buy a lighter bat so she can get it through the zone quickly with proper mechanics.

 

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My dd is 11 and about 70lbs. She swings a Miken Halo Light 30" -12.5. My dd has had pretty good results with the Halo Light and seems to be about the same size as yours.

 

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You can demo Demarini bats. You can use their website to find a dealer in your area. Find a length and weight that works and do some comparison shopping for new and used and previous year's models.

Here's a link to an article that gives some scientific perspective.
Swing Weight: Why moment-of-inertia matters more than weight

 

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Not sure where you are in portage county, but if you are close by you can bring your DD down to our park and she can test out my DD's bats.

 

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Also have her hold it out with one hand holding it at the end by the knob. If it droops in her hand when holding it out, Too Heavy......