What Does Baseball Bat Drop Mean? Choosing the Right Bat

I get asked a lot about what bat drop means, or what the negative number on a bat symbolizes. In a short answer, it refers to the weight of the bat. But there’s a little more to the story than that. In this quick guide, we’ll go over bat drop, what it means, and how to know which drop is right for you or your player.

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Key Takeaways

• The importance of bat drop cannot be overstated when it comes to baseball and softball.
• Understanding bat drop and experimenting with different options can help players find the ideal bat drop for their game.
• The right bat drop can make a significant difference in a player’s swing mechanics, speed, and power.

Understanding Bat Drop

Definition of Bat Drop and Its Importance in Baseball

The definition of bat drop, or drop weight, is the length of the bat minus the weight of the bat. So, for instance, a 31-inch bat that weighs 23 ounces would be a “drop 8.” A 29-inch bat that weighs 19 ounces would be a “drop 10.” A 32-inch bat that weighs 29 ounces would be a “drop 3.”

That’s bat drop in simplest terms. But bat drop is actually incredibly important to a player’s swing mechanics and even the league or division they play in. We’ll dive deeper into both. 

How Bat Drop Affects Swing Mechanics

Knowing how different drop weights affect a player’s swing can help parents and players choose the best bat for their needs. But, it’s important to understand how bat drop weight affects swing mechanics.

High drop weights refer to lighter bats. Lighter bats allow batters to increase their bat speed. This is important for younger players who haven’t developed the strength to swing a heavier bat hard enough to make contact. Also, as kids grow older and pitchers throw faster, the higher the drop weight, the better the chance that a younger player will have to be on time.

Low drop weights have their benefits too. If a player is able to swing them and be on time, their increased weight carries more inertia as it strikes the ball, creating more energy transfer into the ball. So, more weight equals more power, as long as the batter has the strength to swing the bat fast. Also, heavier bats withstand vibrations better and reduce the stinging feeling that can sometimes occur.

So, higher drops equal better bat speed but less power. Lower drops increase power but can risk compromising bat speed.

Factors Affecting Bat Drop Weight

Material Differences: Wood Bats vs. Everything Else

There aren’t a lot of factors that impact bat drop. Beyond the material the bat is made from, they manufacturer can make almost any bat any weight they want. The exception to that rule is wood.

Wood bats are generally heavier than metal bats or composite bats. Common drop weights for wood bats are -3 and less. In fact, many major league players have bats with zero bat drop, swinging a bat that weighs as much in ounces as the bat length is in inches. So, a 33-inch, 33-ounce bat, for example.

Metal bats and their composite counterparts are flexible when it comes to drop weight. Manufacturers often make the same bat in different drop weights. For example, the Easton Hype Fire was available in drop 10, drop 8, and drop 5. Since these are highly processed products, manufacturers have excellent control over length and weight.

Level of Play

Certain levels of play have drop weight requirements. For example, Little League and Cal Ripken baseball require bats carry a USA Baseball logo, and those metal and composite bats are only available in variations up to -8. However, wood bats are also legal, so technically, one could -3, but -10 are the most common USA drop weights.

As players move up to play baseball in middle school and high school, they have to use a BBCor bat. BBCors are only available in drop 3.

But, and here’s where it gets confusing, travel baseball throws a wrench in all of it. Tournament bats up to 12 years old can be any drop weight, but must be stamped with a USSSA stamp or a BBCor stamp. When players start 13U baseball, they can use BBCor or USSSA bats in -8 or -5, depending on the tournament rules. Once, they move to 14U, BBCor becomes the standard again.

Bat Weight Distribution and Printed Weights

If you’re not confused yet, think about this: bats of the same drop weight might not swing the same. That’s because their weight distribution is different. There are essentially two types of bats: balanced and end-loaded. Balanced bats are great for contact hitters, while end-loaded bats increase the MOI (moment of inertia), increasing the power of the swing. Power hitters prefer end-loaded bats.

It’s also important to note that, sometimes, bat drop weights are exactly accurate. Very often, bats actually weight .5 to 3 ounces more than their printed weight. This can be due to many factors, including manufacturing variances, grips, and other issues. But, if the printed bat weight says its legal for play, it’s legal for play as long as the bat has not been modified.

Choosing the Right Baseball Bat

Type of Hitter Profiles: Understanding Your Swing Style

We’ve already covered this a bit, but there are two types of batters: contact hitters and power hitters. Contact hitters prefer a balanced bat while a guy with a powerful swing would prefer an end-loaded bat—typically, at least.

But contact hitters and power hitters usually have bat weight preferences, as well. In most cases, a contact hitter will want a lighter bat weight, so a higher drop. This allows them to control the barrel better, increase their swing speed, and get on top. A guy that hits for power will prefer a lower bat weight, as the more energy transfer they can create, the further the ball will travel.

It’s also worth considering size and strength. Smaller batters will prefer a higher drop so they can swing they’ll have faster bat speeds and get on time. Stronger guys with faster bat speeds typically prefer a heavier bat for the increased inertia.

Measurables: Length, Drop Weight, and Swing Weight

With that understanding of bat weight, we can take a look at the measurable factors that make it up and why they’re important.

Bat length is important. It helps with barrel places, plate coverage, and making contact. Bat lenght is measured in inches, from the butt of the bat to the cap. Too long a bat will result in a higher weight (typically), and be difficult to control, while the correct length will result in a more reasonable bat weight.

Weight matters, obviously, and it’s measured in ounces. Most bats will have the weight printed on them.

Swing weight is refers to the weight distribution. A greater drop weight in a balanced bat will result in faster swings but less powerful hits. A lower drop weight in an end-loaded bat will result in hitting the ball harder and farther. Bats aren’t usually labeled with swing weight, so it usually takes holding the bat and getting a feel for the weight or doing research online.

Do These Rules Apply to Softball Bats as Well?

Yes, the same ideas apply to softball bats, but the rules for each league are different. For example, in baseball, league bats must be USA Baseball stamped, while tournament bats can be USSSA stamped. Softball bats just need to be certified by an organization, but check your individual league or tournaments rules to be sure.

Softball bats tend to have longer lengths and greater drop weight. It’s not uncommon to find composite bats with -13, -12, -11, and -10. What is uncommon is finding softball bat drop ratings that are less than that. Even in college and professional softball, players usually swing -10, or drop ten, bats.

So Which is Right for Your Player?

In my years of coaching, I’ve found that younger players (up to 12 years old) swing better with a drop 10. This is the best mix of speed and power. If you have an exceptional strong child, a drop 8 might be okay. However, I’ve seen many players think they can swing a heavier bat only to completely destroy their swing mechanics and frustrate themselves when they can’t catch up to faster pitching.

That said, choosing a baseball bat is a lot like choosing a baseball glove: there are lots of different kinds. It’s a good idea for players to try a few different weights. Dick’s Sporting Goods facilities often have batting cages where players can try different weights and hit off a tee. This is a good opportunity to try lots of different bats and see what feels right.

If you’re 13 or older, it’s usually time to start swinging a BBCor certified bat (always drop 3) Unless you’re playing tournament ball, where -8 or -5 might be allowed, -3 is the standard for this age group and players will have to get used to it. The good news is that the pitchers generally move back another 10 to 14 feet (depending on the league the player is coming from), so they have a little more time to swing the heavier bat and get on time.

Conclusion

That’s a quick ride down the drop weight rabbit hole. In general, I suggest suggest a lighter bat until the players can no longer use them, as this is the best way to develop solid swing mechanics and better at bats. Let me know if you agree in the comments below.