• Determine the Right Baseball Bat for You

• Explore Baseball Bat Options

• Find Baseball Bats on eBay

• Buy Baseball Bats With Confidence

Determine the Right Baseball Bat for You

Determine the Right Baseball Bat for You

Not every pitch goes down the middle of the plate. To effectively turn on an inside ball or "go with the pitch" and hit to the opposite field, you'll need a baseball bat with the proper weight, length, and shape

Baseball bat weight

A player's age, height, weight, strength, and hitting style determine baseball bat weight. Generally, players in Little League or Youth League should use baseball bats between 16 and 23 ounces. At the high school and collegiate level, baseball bat weights generally range from 27 to 33 ounces

Sellers may list baseball bat weight as a negative number, meaning the bat's weight equals the bat's length minus the indicated number. For example, a 32-inch baseball bat with a bat weight of -5 weighs 27 ounces (32 - 5 = 27). Baseball bats used at the high school and college level cannot have more than a -3 ounce weight-to-length ratio.

Heavier baseball bats can generate more power, but reduce bat speed. Lighter baseball bats offer increase speed and control, but reduce pop. The pros often gravitate toward lighter baseball bats which allow a player to make contact with the "fat of a bat" or its "sweet spot" more easily.

Baseball bat length

When standing on end, a baseball bat should come to your waist. Length ranges from 26 to 31 inches for Youth League and 32 to 36 inches for high school, collegiate, and professional players. A Little League baseball bat cannot measure more than 32 inches long.

Baseball bat shape

Look at the shape of a baseball bat, taking its barrel, taper, and grip into consideration.

• Barrel: Most barrels, the wide portion of a baseball bat that strikes a ball, measure 2 1/2, 2 5/8, or 2 9/16 inches in diameter. Longer and wider barrels provide a larger sweet spot. Lighter baseball bats have shorter and narrower barrels for increased speed and control.

• Taper: Taper refers to handle diameter and must fit a player's hands, allowing a comfortable grip. The taper on most baseball bats is 31/32 of an inch. A narrower taper allows you to rotate your wrists faster and "square up" on pitches more effectively. Little League baseball bats cannot measure more than 2.25 inches in diameter and baseball bats used in high school and college cannot measure more than 2 inches in diameter.

• Grip: Make sure your metal baseball bat has a proper leather, synthetic leather, or rubber grip. Leather grips will provide the best hold, but do not absorb vibration as effectively as rubber.

Explore Baseball Bat Options

Explore Baseball Bat Options

Manufacturers such as Easton, Worth, Louisville Slugger, DeMarini, Nike, and Rawlings construct baseball bats out of a variety of advanced materials, making them more durable and powerful than ever before.

Aluminum baseball bats

Lighter and stronger than wood, aluminum bats are designed to increase baseball bat speed and power, sometimes called "pop." Manufacturers blend aluminum with a variety of different metals to reinforce the baseball bat. Common alloys include:

• 7046: Standard alloy used in economical aluminum bats.

• Cu31/ 7050: Mid-range alloy, featuring zirconium and greater amounts of magnesium and copper than 7046.

• C405/ 7055: More expensive and stronger alloy than Cu31 with more zirconium.

• C555: Premium alloy for aluminum baseball bats with trace amounts of scandium. Manufacturers claim that it is seven percent stronger than C405.

• SC777: Newest, most advanced baseball bat alloy.

Manufacturers may also add a carbon lining to increase strength or cryogenically freeze a baseball bat to increase strength without adding weight.

Graphite baseball bats

Stronger and lighter than high-grade aluminum, graphite baseball bats are either made of a graphite-fiber composite material or have an aluminum core with graphite lining.

Titanium baseball bats

Stronger and lighter than high-grade aluminum, titanium baseball bats generally have an aluminum core and titanium lining or wall. Some softball associations have banned the use of titanium bats.

Wood baseball bats

Wood baseball bats, like those used in Major League Baseball, have the greatest selection of shape and taper (handle diameter). These affordable bats made of ash, maple, or bamboo offer less durability than metal baseball bats and can crack with regular use. They also weigh more than their metal counterparts.

Find Baseball Bats on eBay

Find Baseball Bats on eBay

Now that you know which baseball bat you need, find it quickly on eBay. Go to the Sporting Goods portal and click the Bats link under Baseball & Softball

• Categories: Use the links in the Categories list on the left side of the page to begin narrowing down item listings. You'll find links for adult baseball bats, wood baseball bats, youth baseball bats, fastpitch softball bats, slowpitch softball bats, and more.

• Keywords: Keywords can quickly help you narrow down your choices. Type the words you want to find into the Search box to find listings that match your specifications. For example, if you want a new SC777-alloy aluminum bat, type the keywords SC777 new. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more advice about searching with keywords.

• Let sellers help: A good item listing should include information about the type of bat and its materials, the name of the manufacturer, and a clear picture. If you want to know about information not included in a listing, email the seller your question by clicking "Ask seller a question" under the seller's profile.

If you can't seem to find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save your search and eBay will email you when a match becomes available. While you shop, don't forget a batting helmet, batting gloves, balls, sunglasses, and an equipment bag.

Buy Baseball Bats With Confidence

Buy Baseball Bats With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.