Different types of Baseball Bats

At one time, baseball bats were all manufactured out of some kind of hard wood. Today, there are really several different types of baseball bats in common use. The types of baseball bats often differ based on division and league specifications that govern the equipment that is considered the standard for all teams associated with a given league and the divisions that make up the league. This means that different types of baseball bats will be in general use in a minor or amateur league that would not be present in a major league.

In spite of the proliferation of differences in the bats used today, the old fashioned wooden baseball bat still tends to be the most general of all types. At one time, hickory bats were the most general type of baseball bat. While providing a great deal of toughness, hickory bats are also among the heaviest bats ever produced.

Currently, white ash is often the wood of choice for these types of baseball bats, because the wood is sturdy and resists cracking under pressure. White ash also produces a bat that is light enough to allow the batter to get a swing of adequate speed and force, but not so light that it makes hitting a baseball out of the park a task of no real import. Along with white ash bats, maple are also a popular option, though the maple bat tends to cost a little more than bats manufactured of white ash.


The aluminum baseball bat is of more recent period than wooden bats. First produced in the 1970's, aluminum bats rapidly gained supporters. This was mostly due to the fact that these types of baseball bats are lightweight, but also extremely durable. In the early years, it soon became obvious that the aluminum bat made it very easy to hit the ball great distances. The major leagues discontinued the use of the aluminum bat, mainly in order to avoid rendering previous records set with the heavier wooden bats irrelevant. However, some amateur and minor leagues allow the aluminum bat, even though the usage is not universal by any means.

New designs for types of baseball bats have appeared over the years. The so-called Baum Bat of the early 1990's attempted to make a transition bat that would help a minor league player who is picked for a major league team to make the transition from lighter bats to a heavier wooden bat. A few companies have created and attempted to market a bat made from billets of bamboo. Though, bats composed of several of hardwoods continue to be the types of baseball bats favored by the majority of players across the board.