Should I Use Aluminum Bats or Wood Bats for Baseball?
Wood Bats vs. Aluminum Bats: Which is Better? The debate over whether to use a wood or metal baseball bat has raged for more than half a century. Each type of bat has its loyal supporters along with its pros and cons. With this comparison of wood and aluminum baseball bats, Bownet Sports® will help you choose the best bat for your needs and goals.
Wood Baseball Bats
The wooden baseball bat is as old as the game itself. All major league and minor league teams require wood bats, and some college summer "wood bat" leagues use them. Bats were traditionally made of ash wood, but maple bats have become popular in recent years. You also can get bats made of birch, hickory and bamboo wood.
Wood Bat Pros:
- Wood bats are heavier and better balanced than metal bats, which helps develop player strength.
- They are more responsive, which provides more feedback to the batter and helps improve their mechanics.
- Since swinging at bad pitches can result in a broken bat or stinger, players are forced to learn more plate discipline.
Wood Bat Cons:
- Wood bats are more expensive overall since they break more easily, especially if they're made of low-quality wood or have a thin handle.
- They are much heavier than metal bats, which makes them harder for young players to use.
- Flying splinters and chunks from broken bats is an injury concern.
Aluminum Baseball Bats The aluminum bat first came along in the early 1970s. Since then, it has become the bat of choice for most Little League, high school and college baseball teams. While some metal bats are pure aluminum, most use an aluminum alloy for better strength and durability. Aluminum Bat Pros:
- Aluminum bats are much lighter and transfer more energy to the ball, allowing players to swing faster and hit balls harder and farther.
- These bats have a much larger sweet spot and are easier to handle, meaning players can get more hits with them.
- A high-quality metal bat is stronger than a wood bat and more resilient to miss-hits, so it lasts longer and thus costs less overall.
Aluminum Bat Cons:
- Since the exit velocity of a batted ball is faster, fielders have less reaction time, and getting hit by a line drive is more likely to cause injury.
- Aluminum bats are much easier to illegally modify, and these modifications are harder to detect than on wood bats.
- They can lead to players developing bad swing habits that expose themselves when a wood bat is required.
The Verdict
Aluminum bats remain the best choice for youth leagues where players are just learning the game or when costs are a concern. However, players who want to reach the professional level should spend time practicing with a wooden baseball bat, both to develop precision mechanics and get used to the different feel. Make sure you keep a few wood bats on hand to Train like a Pro with your hitting nets, tees and other Bownet® gear.