Wood Baseball Bats
Wood baseball bats are the only bats allowed to be used in the Major Leagues, whereas the youth to college leagues permit wood or metal bats. But wood bats will always hold a special place in the hearts of baseball players and fans, because wooden baseball bats have been used since the invention of the game. Purists believe that only a wood bat can be used when playing "real baseball".
One hundred and fifty years ago there was not much choice in wood bats. Today, there is a large selection of custom wood baseball bats. They come in a large variety of lengths and weights to accommodate younger players. For Major League Baseball (MLB), there are strict rules about design and construction. For example, it must be one-piece and cannot be longer than 42 inches. Some of the newer wood bats use composite wood construction to form a bat that is actually two-piece, but it cannot be used in the MLB.
A wooden baseball bat is a thing of beauty to an avid baseball player. There is nothing like the "crack" of the ball against wood. Collectors buy vintage wood baseball bats to preserve the original hand-turned one-piece baseball bats out of pure love for the game and with respect for early baseball players. You can purchase vintage bats, or unusual bats such as Ehinger wood baseball bats, online if you want to become one of the collectors.
If you have ever wondered which woods baseball bats were made from over the years, the answer is ash, beech, hickory and maple. Today, most bats are made using white ash or maple. Maple wood bats became popular after Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs in 2001 using a bat made of maple.
Wood baseball bat companies like Louisville Slugger, Demarini, and Easton, use mostly Northern White Ash. The highest grade of wood is found in a professional wood baseball bat that can be used in the Major Leagues. Lesser grade woods are used in cheaper bats, but be careful you don't buy a bat that is too cheap. Bats with grains that are not straight are more prone to breaking after a short amount of play use.
A wood baseball bat can be found in several different kinds of wood, so when you ask what wood is a baseball bat made from, the answer can vary. But the most popular wood has been White Ash for the simple reason it is strong, flexible and has a light weight. Weight is a critical factor in a bat. The new wood bat designs have applied computer technology to creating wood bats with the lightest weight.
Youth wooden baseball bats are the choice for many parents who want their kids to experience the feel and sound of the wood bat used in baseball for decades. Though the youth wooden baseball bat is often foregone for the lighter aluminum bats, for some only the traditional bat will suffice. The bats are made using the same technology and the same woods as professional wood bats, but with smaller dimensions.
A wood baseball bat is a treasure to a baseball player. Wood baseball bat companies carry on the tradition of baseball while adding special features. For example, you can buy personalized wooden baseball bats. Wooden bats can be purchased online with ease. Cheap wood baseball bats are not inferior bats – they are high quality bats being sold at deep discounts.