The best bat size for an 8-year-old is 28-inches long and weighs 18-ounces. This bat size is the most common amongst 8-year-olds, although if your young player is skilled or stronger, you can have them swing a 29/19 bat. If swing speed is what you’re aiming for, the lighter 28/17 will be perfect.
Best Bats For 8-Year-Olds – Our Top 3 Picks
Click To Learn MoreWe love the MAXUM for its massive barrel, light swing, and great feel in the hands. This combination makes it one of our best USA bats. Its one-piece seamless carbon construction is stiff, so better power transfer and a welcome breath of fresh air in the crowded two-piece composite space. The Maxum is available in 27″, 28″, 29″, 30″ and 31″ lengths.
This balanced, drop 10 two-piece, fully-composite bat will be a hit amongst 8-year-olds who need a lightweight, smooth swinging bat with a huge barrel to generate speed and make solid hits. The two-piece composite construction allows for better weight distribution along the barrel, so better control, speed, and balance.
The drop 11 Solo is famous amongst beginner 8-year-olds looking for a bat that swings light and performs. Kids will love the Solo for its decent-size barrel and lightweight swing, which gives more control and faster swing speeds. Parents will love its price point. The Solo is only available in a drop 11 but has lengths of 27″, 28″, 29″, 30″, and 31″ to choose from.
Picking the Best Bat Size for an 8-Year-Old
While online guides would have you believe that factors such as height and weight have a role in choosing the best bat size for an 8-year-old, players pick the most popular bat being swung.
For 8-year-olds, this choice is often bats in the 27-inch to 29-inch band, weighing between 17 to 19-ounces.
In keeping with this, beginners are better off swinging a 27/17 bat, and those that aren’t entirely new to the sport should pick a 28/18. More experienced players can choose a 29/19 if they’ve swung one before.
The most common bat sizes for 8-year olds are: (ranked top to bottom)
- 28/18
- 29/19
- 29/18
- 28/17
- 27/17
The most common bat size for an 8-year-old is 28/18. Players alternate between 17 and 18-ounces depending on preference. The second most popular choice is 29/19, with weight varying between 18 and 19 ounces based on player needs.
Other Factors To Consider
Finding the best size bat for an 8-year-old can become overwhelming with all the youth baseball bats available in the market today. Choosing the wrong bat bogs down player performance and takes the fun out of the game. On the other hand, picking the best bat for your 8 year old sets them up for success early on.
Length
Shorter, lighter bats are suitable for smaller players, while longer, heavier bats are suitable for bigger players. Kids will find hitting with a longer bat easier than a shorter bat. Longer bats have better plate coverage and offer a bigger surface area for young players to find the ball. However, there is a limit, and the optimal length for 8-year-old players is 27 – 28 inches. Any more, and the bat becomes unwieldy.
Drop Weight
Drop Weight is the negative number on bats. It denotes the length to weight ratio (i.e., the difference between the length in inches and the weight ounces.
A bat that is 28-inches long and 18 ounces in weight is a drop 10 (-10). The larger the number, the lighter the bat. A drop 12 bat is lighter than a drop 8 bat, so drop weight is one of the most important factors when choosing the right boat for an 8-year-old.
A bat that’s too heavy dips through the zone in the hands of young players who will invariably struggle with its weight, and a bat that’s too light won’t have the power needed to make solid contact. Drop 10, drop 11, and drop 12 bats are conventionally perfect for 8-year-old players since they don’t require a significant amount of force to swing.
Bat Materials
Material is another thing to keep in mind when choosing the best bat size for an 8-year-old. Common bat materials are aluminum alloy and composite. Composite is typically your best bet for young players, but both materials give players unique benefits.
Composite bats have given manufacturers the ability to innovate. These bats mostly come as two-piece bats (read our article on one-piece vs. two-piece bats) and are packed with performance-enhancing tech. Composite bats have better weight distribution and better pop. Additionally, because they are so lightweight, they can be stretched out without negatively affecting swing weight, thus making for a much larger sweet spot.
On the other hand, aluminum bats are mostly one-piece in their construction which is better suited to more experienced players who like a stiff-feeling bat and don’t mind the hand sting that’s so common in the one-piece construction. Alloy bats also don’t require any breaking in – they come hot out of the wrapper, unlike composite bats that need about 150 to 200 swings to achieve full performance.
League Rules and Requirements
Your 8-year-old’s bat must be approved for their particular league. At different age groups and different levels of play, leagues have varying rules around length, weight, and materials. USA bats are universally accepted, meaning they are suitable for use in USSSA. USSSA bats, on the other hand, are restricted in USA leagues. Speaking with your league coach is crucial before spending any money on a new bat.
The Budget
The price of baseball bats varies depending on brand and construction (materials, tech, etc.). There are enough options on the market to suit every budget. If you have the budget, go for the best youth baseball bats. These bats often have the most innovative features and offer the best performance.
For beginners, splurging out is not the best idea. Regulating how much you spend will help gauge interest and help your budding star come to grips with their new bat.
