Best Softball Bats for Youth (by Age)

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Choosing the right bat for young players can be a difficult task, whether they’re starting their first softball season, or simply choosing a new bat each year that will support their growing bodies. That’s why we’ve done the research for you, and narrowed it down to the best possible bat you can buy for a young player based on their specific age.

🏆#1 Best High End Youth Softball Bat 🏆

Mizuno Titanium

Mizuno F21-TITANIUM (-10) Fastpitch Softball Bat, 33 inch/23 oz, White-Iridescent

Last update was on: October 30, 2024 6:31 am
out of stock

🥈#2 Best Selling 2022 Youth Softball Bat🥈

Louisville Slugger Proven

2022 Proven (-13) Fastpitch Bat

Built for a lightweight swing, the 2022 Proven (-13) Fastpitch Bat from Louisville Slugger features a full composite barrel design to help young hitters prove their skills at the ...
in stock
$129.99

🥉#3 Best Budget 2022 Youth Fastpitch Bat🥉

DeMarini Uprising

DeMarini 2022 Uprising (-12) Fastpitch Bat

Designed for younger players looking for a light-swinging performance bat, the 2022 DeMarini Uprising (-12) Fastpitch Bat makes an instant impact. Uprising features a DX1™ Alloy ...
in stock
$79.99

We know how important it is to give your child the best possible chance of success during gameplay, so they can feel confident in themselves and enjoy the game to its fullest.

Use our easy to read guide to choose a bat for your upcoming season, so the only thing you have to worry about is having fun out there on the field.

Not looking for a youth bat? Check out our guides on the best fastpitch bats or slowpitch bats here.

Choosing a Youth Softball Bat – The Basics

If you want your child to excel at any sport, you first need to provide them with the right equipment. For softball players, gear selection is extremely important because of the many factors in a bat’s design that impact a player’s style and performance.

Your child’s weight, strength, height and speed isn’t exactly the same as their peers. So, the best softball bat for them is likely to be different too. This is why it’s important to consider a bat’s composition before buying it to make sure it’s optimized for your child’s specific needs. For example, soft ball bats are generally heavier and take more energy to swing. With this in mind, are you choosing a bat that’s lightweight enough, and designed for young players with smaller hands to maintain a sturdy grip on the bat? What about making sure the bat you choose is designed to minimize bat vibration and hand sting upon the ball’s impact? And if your child is just starting out and doesn’t yet have the confidence to swing with maximum precision and accuracy, are you choosing a bat that’s specifically designed with a larger “sweet spot”?

Keep reading for some helpful tips on picking the best softball bat for your child’s next game.

1. Look At Recommended Sizes

Head to a sporting goods store and you’ll find a variety of tools designed to help you make optimal gear choices. Softball size charts, for instance, are common in these stores. Just look for your child’s current height and weight. Then, read the recommendation provided on the chart. It’ll give you a suitable bat length and weight based on your child’s dimensions.

Image Source: <a href="https://www.softball.com/custserv/content.jsp?cmsName=BatSizingChart">Softball.com</a>

2. Do Some Quick Calculations

You can also do your own calculations to find an optimal bat length. This is sometimes useful for children who are outside the average height and weight categories for their age group. For example, your son or daughter might be very tall for their age.

To play fastball skillfully, a child aged 5-7 years needs a bat that’s 61 to 66cm long. Kids aged 8-9 years should play with a bat that’s 66 to 74cm in length. For each year after this, add approximately 2.54cm (or one inch) to the optimum bat length.

3. Know How to Shop for Drop

If you hear the term ‘drop’ used when discussing youth softball, just know it refers to the difference between a bat’s weight and length. The best softball bat for your child is, again, one with a drop that’s suitable for their age range or closely matched to their specific dimensions. Typically, children under ten play better with a smaller drop number (between -13.5 and -10).

4. Don’t Forget to Pick It Up

It may sound obvious but you’d be surprised how many people buy softball bats without handling them properly first. To get the perfect match, make sure your child has a chance to touch, carry, and manipulate the bat. Let them swing a little (as long as it’s safe to do so) and get a feel for how it sits in their hands.

5. Consider Handle Diameter

While it’s easy to overlook handle diameter, it’s actually a very important feature. It can certainly have a big impact on how your child plays. All softball bats are tapered at the handle end but thickness varies. You may find a slimmer handle more comfortable for a child with smaller, slender wrists. On the other hand, thickness reduces impact vibrations and boosts speed. Consider a compromise between comfort and performance.

6. Find the Right Material

Finally, we come to what is, perhaps, the most important feature of all – the softball bat’s composition and material makeup. There are traditional wooden bats, lightweight alloy bats and bats made from composite materials like cork, felt and polyurethane. The right choice for your child will depend on what type of game they play and the rules laid out by their team, club, league or organization.

Common Types of Youth Softball Bats

Lightweight Alloy Bats

The most common type of alloy bat is the aluminum softball bat. It is lightweight, reasonably strong and inexpensive to buy. For these three reasons, it continues to be a popular choice with little leaguers. One of the biggest advantages is they can be played right away.

Alloy bats don’t require any ‘breaking in’ or practice play before they’ll perform at a high level. They do, however, give a smaller ‘sweet spot’ than wooden bats. So, it’s a little bit harder to hit forcefully and accurately with one of these.

Wooden Bats

It’s common to find children practicing with wooden bats but using alloy bats for tournaments and competitive matches. It’s because, generally, they’re slower. Wooden bats are heavier to swing. They can be wielded very powerfully but rarely as forcefully as a metal bat.

It’s why some leagues restrict players to wooden bats only – the risk of injury to others is reduced. Wooden bats are particularly well suited to slow pitch games and swinging practice at home or out in the park.

Composite Bats

There are many different kinds of composite bat so make sure to do your homework and pick a product that suits your child’s needs. The advantage to using composite materials is they tend to create well balanced bats.

When considering composites, know several different materials have been used to create a bat that’s lighter than wood but more accurate than alloy. The downside is they’re more expensive than either of these. They also need to be ‘broken in’ as a wooden bat does.

Best Softball Bat for 6 Year Old

Mizuno is trusted by some of the top softball players in the world, including Team USA Legend Jennie Finch. This is a company that knows how important it is to have the right equipment during the early stages of a young player’s career. The Minzuno Finch is an extremely lightweight bat with a classic one-piece construction, forged from Mizuno’s MZ 1700 Alloy, and a cushioned grip to eliminate vibration.

Mizuno F20-Finch Youth Tee Ball Softball Bat (-13), 26 Inch/13 oz

Free shipping
Last update was on: October 30, 2024 6:31 am
in stock
$40.00

Mizuno Girls' F20 Jennie Finch T-Ball Bat 2020 (-13)

Developed with the softball player’s specific needs in mind, the 2020 Mizuno® Girls’ F20 Jennie Finch T-Ball Bat balances speed, power, and comfort to create confidence at the ...
in stock
$39.99
My 6 year old daughter is small, even for 6, but she can swing the heck out of this bat. The ball jumps off the bat already and it has very few swings on it. This bat is balanced and is a great pick for a 5 – 8 year old player. I highly recommend this bat.
Coach Gil
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Best Softball Bat for 7 Year Old

The Easton MAKO 11 features an ultra-thin 29/32″ handle with an All Sports grip, which makes it easy to handle and control for young players with small hands and a light grip. Crafted from aluminum alloy, this bat is both durable enough to withstand hard hits, and lightweight enough for learning fast swing speeds.

Easton MAKO CXN ZERO 10 Fastpitch Softball Bat, 33"/23 oz

Last update was on: October 30, 2024 6:31 am
out of stock
This is a great bat my 7 year old daughter is on a u8 team and uses this bat, it is long enough for her to attack the strike zone but also light enough for to swing aggressively. Great bat for 6 to 8 year olds.
Brandon
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Best Softball Bat for 8 Year Old

The DeMarini Bustos allows young players to reach their full potential with cutting-edge bat technology, including a 2-piece hybrid comfort grip and fiber reinforced composite handles to prevent hand sting and vibrations. This bat’s handle and barrel are also performance matched, meaning that the bat responds to the energy of a fast moving ball with optimal flex and recoil. Built with DX1 Alloy, and a rotation index to remind players to constantly rotate their bat during play, this bat will continue to perform season-after-season.

DeMarini 2019 Bustos (-13) Fastpitch Softball Bat - Size: 29"/16 oz

Clear the fences with this easy-swinging, great-feeling stick.Let it rip with the 2019 Bustos (-13) bat without worrying about hand sting or vibrations. The 13-ounce weight drop ...
in stock
$119.95

DeMarini 2019 Bustos (-13) 2 1/4" Fastpitch Bat, 31"/18 oz

Last update was on: October 30, 2024 6:31 am
out of stock
My 8 year old was hitting markedly harder from the first time she used it. She loves the reduced vibration vs. an aluminum bat. She LOVES this bat. I should note that due to more weight being in the barrel, she had to get used to a bat that feels a bit heavier.
Keith
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Best Softball Bat for 9 Year Old

The DeMarini Spryte’s fully carbon composite design gives it unparalleled flex, acting as a springboard for the ball to launch it maximum distances. This bat features a composite barrel and an Internal Rails Hybrid Handle to help eliminate vibration and hand sting when making hard hits, while still maintaining power. DeMarini also knows the importance of a well structured end-cap for a bat’s swing weight, feel, and even sound. With Clutch End-Cap technology developed exclusively for DeMarini , this bat is optimized for all three of those performance factors.

2022 DeMarini Spryte (-12) Fastpitch Bat

1 used from $159.95
Last update was on: October 30, 2024 6:31 am
in stock
$169.95 $229.95

DeMarini Spryte Fastpitch Bat 2022 (-12), Women's

FEATURES: Paradox™ Composite Barrel: Designed to perform with a softer, hotter and more responsive feel for younger players Two-Piece Composite Construction: Outfitted with a ...
in stock
$229.99
We have used demarini bats for years. I bought this bat for my 9 year old. She has always been a great hitter and she bats both ways. We had the bustos bat the last couple of years and it was a good bat. We felt it was time to get a good composite bat. The spryte is a great bat! Lightweight, easy to swing and no sting in the hands. Last year she hit well with her bustos bat. This year she is crushing the ball in practice and in games. She is the youngest on her under 12 team and has the highest batting average!
Flash
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Best Softball Bat for 10 Year Old

DeMarini’s CF Zen Fastpitch Bat takes advantage of a 3-Fusion Technology System, meaning that each section of the bat was designed to work together, symbiotically, for optimal performance. For example, this bat’s 3-Fusion end-cap and handle work together to redirect energy back down the barrel when making contact with the ball for powerful hits. This bat’s Paraflex Composite materials also give the bat optimal flex. It’s these technologies that continuously puts DeMarini’s at the top of the game, with some of the lightest swinging and highest performing bats on the market.

DeMarini 2019 Limited Edition CF Zen (-10) Neon Pop Fastpitch Softball Bat - Size: 32"/22 oz

Stand out when you step in. The only thing with more pop than the look of the 2019 CF Zen (-10) Neon Pop Fastpitch Bat is the Paraflex Composite barrel. Players who know they can ...
in stock
$349.99

DeMarini CF Zen Fastpitch Bat 2021 (-11), Women's

FEATURES: Paraflex Plus Composite Barrel: Delivers a massive sweet spot and maximum barrel control to maintain its reputation as the most responsive in the game 3Fusion ...
in stock
$379.99

WILSON Demarini FP Cf Zen (-10) Fastpitch Bat - 33", white

Last update was on: October 30, 2024 6:31 am
out of stock
AWESOME BAT! had the CF8, but this one has much more “pop”. my 10 year old hit the ball twice as far on her first 2 hits with it. Highly recommend.
Kashmac

Also check out this great list of Softball drills for your 10 year old!

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Best Softball Bat for 11 Year Old

Louisville Slugger is one of the most trusted names in the game. Their 2022 Proven series is a 100% composite design with a 1-piece construction so the bat feels sturdy and easy to control. This design makes the bat great for younger players who are still learning how to control their bat at higher swing speeds. This well-constructed bat from a time-tested brand also comes at a great value.

2022 Proven (-13) Fastpitch Bat

Built for a lightweight swing, the 2022 Proven (-13) Fastpitch Bat from Louisville Slugger features a full composite barrel design to help young hitters prove their skills at the ...
in stock
$129.99

2022 Louisville Slugger Proven (-13) Fastpitch Bat

Last update was on: October 30, 2024 6:31 am
in stock
$225.00

Louisville Slugger Lousville Slugger Proven (-13) Fastpitch Softball Bat - 2022 Model Size 29in./16oz

Introducing the 2022 Louisville Slugger Proven (-13) Fastpitch Softball bat. Built for a lightweight swing this bat features a full composite barrel design to help young hitters ...
in stock
$124.99
Seems to be a solid bat at a great price. My 11 year old loves it. It has noticable pop compared to her old aluminum bat. She lacks bats speed, so the -13 helps out a bit. I’m not sure how long it will hold up, but for the price, you can’t beat it.
Adam
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Best Softball Bat for 12 Year Old

Easton’s Ghost Youth bat is just what it sounds like: light. With Easton’s CXN zero two-piece Conation Technology, players can make big hits without experiencing vibration or hand sting. This bat’s ultra-thin 29/32″ composite handle and 1.2mm Hyperskin grip allows players to maintain a solid, comfortable hold on the bat throughout gameplay. This bat also has a smooth, evenly-balanced swing weight, so that players already feel accustomed to the bat on first use.

Easton Ghost -11 Youth Fastpitch Softball Bat, 31/20, Approved for All Fields, FP22GHY11

1 used from $39.00
Free shipping
Last update was on: October 30, 2024 6:31 am
in stock
$39.00 $49.99

EASTON GHOST YOUTH -11

Experience the hottest Ghost performance with Easton's Ghost Youth bat, which uses ALX50 military grade aluminum construction for extended durability and pure power. The ...
out of stock
$54.95
My 12 year old daughter loves this bat. Her hitting improved with the first swing. Nice composite bat for the money.
Jacqueline
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Best Softball Bat for 13 Year Old

The Louisville Slugger Quest series takes advantage of S1iD technology to create a larger “sweet spot” on the barrel where the ball will catch it maximum pop. It’s hard to understate the significance that this massive sweet spot has on both a player’s consistency and confidence. This bat also has a stiffer feel, with a zero-friction double-wall design to maximize flex while minimizing resistance.

2022 Quest (-12) Fastpitch Bat

Built for elite swing speed, the 2022 Quest (-12) Fastpitch Bat from Louisville Slugger features a 100% performance alloy barrel for maximum control and plate coverage. The ...
in stock
$64.99

Louisville Slugger Quest Fastpitch Bat 2022 (-12)

FEATURES: Full Performance Alloy Barrel: Increases durability and swing speed for consistent contact through the zone One-Piece Construction: Boasts a stiff swing and a solid feel ...
in stock
$64.99

2022 Louisville Slugger Quest (-12) Fastpitch Bat

Last update was on: October 30, 2024 6:31 am
out of stock

Louisville Slugger Quest (-12) Fastpitch Bat - 2022 Model Size 27in./15oz

New for 2022, the Louisville Slugger Quest (-12) Fastpitch Bat!Built for elite swing speed, the 2022 Quest features a 100% composite performance alloy barrel for maximum control ...
in stock
$59.99
Good bat with great pop. My 13 year old plays select and everyone on the team loves this bat. Still breaking it in but so far so good!
Kevin
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Best Softball Bat for 14 Year Old

This bat from the Louisville Slugger Xeno series features S1iD inner disc technology, which maximizes barrel flex without increasing resistance. With a LS-2X composite thin walled, light weight barrel, this bat lets players hit at extremely fast exit speeds that come as close to the legal limit as possible without surpassing it. In other words, this bat allows players to hit hard and fast. This model is available in three different weight drops—(-10), (-9),(-8). This is a bat designed for the serious softball player with high aspirations.

2024 Louisville Slugger Xeno (-9) Fastpitch Bat

The stiff two-piece construction of the Louisville Slugger Xeno (-9) Fastpitch Bat delivers durable, game-ready performance. Xeno’s composite barrel produces from the first swing, ...
in stock
$349.95

Louisville Slugger 2021 Xeno (-11) Fastpitch Softball Bat - 31"/20 oz

Last update was on: October 30, 2024 6:31 am
out of stock

Louisville Slugger Xeno X20 (-11) Fastpitch Softball Bat - 2020 Model Size 31in./20oz

The Xeno X20 Fastpitch bat from Louisville Slugger remains one of the most popular models on the market for elite players who love a stiff feel through the zone. The two-piece IST ...
in stock
$249.98
After only 3 games, the bat started really making a difference in her hits, lots more power. I also brought it to my competitive Co-Ed Adult League, and all the guys and girls were ripping the ball and loved the bat. If you are on the fence about this bat, (pun intended, lol) I don’t know if you will beat it for the price.
Brookeh

It can be challenging to find the right bat for young players who’s bodies are constantly growing and changing. That’s why we’ve assembled this list of the best softball bats for youth by age, so you easily can locate the equipment that will optimize your child’s performance to give them the best possible chance of successful gameplay.

We chose these bats because they were constructed with specific technologies and features that will assist your child’s learning curve—such as larger sweet spots and reduced hand sting upon ball impact—so they can feel confident in themselves and enjoy themselves out on the field. After all, young players are at their best when they’re not only operating at peak performance, but having fun doing it.

And for a final roundup, here is the entire list in sorted by price from lowest to highest:

$169.95 $229.95 1 used from $159.95 9 new from $169.95
in stock
2022 DeMarini Spryte (-12) Fastpitch Bat

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