Batter up! When playing for fun or to make it to the big leagues, a good bat is your right-hand man at home base. Wooden baseball bats have a storied history in the sport, with many players preferring their classic feel and performance. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, choosing the best wooden baseball bat can be the key to unlocking your full potential at the plate.
If you’re considering enrolling your son or daughter in little league baseball or just want to enjoy a game of catch in the yard, that could pay off in the future. A recent study finds that kids who play organized sports likely have more “grit” as adults. Researchers from the Ohio State University discovered that adults who played organized sports as a kid have higher levels of “grit,” defined as a combination of passion and perseverance to reach one’s long-term goals, than their peers who didn’t play.
Team sports can also have positive effects on mental health. A new study shows that children who play team sports such as football and basketball are less likely to suffer mental health problems. Conversely, researchers found that youngsters who only play individual sports – such as tennis, golf, or gymnastics – are at greater risk of mental health issues than kids who don’t play sports at all.
Sounds like it’s time to sign the little ones up for sports! Regardless of anyone’s skill level, getting a great bat is the first step in perfecting your swing. StudyFinds consulted 10 expert websites to find the best wooden baseball bats to implement into your game. As always, please give us your recommendations in the comments below!
The List: Best Wooden Baseball Bats, According to Experts
1. Victus V-Cut Baseball Bat
Bat Digest loves this model. Why? “We like their price point, their elite feel and the fact they come from the same shop as the bats from some of the best players in the world. Although they are sometimes limited in stock…we recommend them every time someone is looking for a serious wood bat but doesn’t want to pay the coin it usually requires to acquire a top-shelf wood bat. We think the V-Cuts are the best wood bats around.”
“If you are looking for the best-value wood baseball bat around, you’ve found it. The Victus V-Cut line is all bats that were originally intended to be made into Victus’ highest-quality wood bats. But because of slight imperfections/blemishes (that have no impact on the bats’ performance or integrity), they are now available at a discounted price,” says Just Bats. “They will still arrive with an MLB ink dot of approval to signify their premium quality. The lone downside of the V-Cut lineup is that you do not know which turn model you will receive when ordering your new bat. But still, you cannot beat their wood bat value.”
“The Victus V-Cut with Axe Handle features the handle a lot of ball players love with a pro-quality wood bat. The V-Cut series is a pro-grade maple wood bat that was made for a professional baseball player, but a ‘non-structural imperfection’ got them cut from the pro-line. The Axe Handle gives a whip feel through the zone, allowing for fast swing speeds and a great feel with every swing,” adds Baseball Monkey.
2. Marucci AP5 Pro Baseball Bat
The Bat Nerds writes: “This Marucci Albert Pujols Maple Wood Bat is a fantastic wood bat, handcrafted from top quality maple wood. It is an end loaded beast of a bat with a long, massive barrel. The Marucci AP5 is bone rubbed to close the pores and compress the wood to make it harder. It has a tapered knob and tapered handle that makes the bat lighter and provides more control. Additionally, it has a pro cupped end for improved weight distribution. The AP5 is also very hard to break – It’s been 6 months of near daily use and it has held up extremely well.”
“The Marucci AP5 Pro is based on the specifications of Albert Pujols. Unlike the JB19, the AP5 is designed purely with power hitters in mind. It’s end-loaded for a combination that’s sure to impress onlookers while you crush,” adds Baseball Bible. “The tapered knob and cupped barrel both help you regain some control, and the large sweet spot creates a lot of force on even miss-hit balls. The bone-rubbed treatment is included here as well, so you’ll know you’re getting the bat’s full potential.”
“It is really very smooth when hitting the ball, in other words it has some amazing sort of Pop. The end load provides extra power to the bat when swing. It is a pro bat and is Ink dot certified, which means that you can play MLB tournament with this bat. It has a 30 day warranty which is also good,” notes The National Pastime Museum.
3. Marucci AP5 Youth Baseball Bat
According to The National Pastime Museum, “What I like the most is its Specification, the Marucci brand company has made this bat with same specifications as the Marucci AP5 pro model. This Marucci ap 5 youth wood model also has the same durability and power as the pro model. It is also slight end loaded and comes with a 30 days warranty.”
This bat is great for beginners to perfect their skills on the field. “The end-loaded barrel allows them to work on their power. And the large barrel gives them more opportunities to get the best hit of the game,” points out Sarah Scoop. “Having a tapered knob and traditional handle gives the batter a more control feel as they swing.”
“The Marucci AP5 Youth baseball bat is our top pick for youth players and little leaguers. It’s built for power with an end-loaded feel, and its large barrel gives you a huge sweet spot for producing those powerful hits. Plus, it’s handcrafted from top-quality maple wood for durability. So if you’re looking for a bat that your young player will love, the Marucci AP5 Youth is the perfect choice,” mentions Baseball Bible.
4. Old Hickory Baseball Bat
This brand has several impressive models. Better Baseball likes the Mike Trout line: “Arguably one of the best players in the game right now is Mike Trout. His weapon of choice, The Old Hickory MT27, is one of the most popular models in the Old Hickory arsenal. It has a longer barrel thanks to the short taper which gives this bat a large sweet spot. This model is also available with a steel pressed finish. We would recommend this bat for all type of players. Both power and contact hitters should excell at the dish with the Old Hickory MT27.”
Alo popular is their Crown Series line. “Old Hickory Bat Co. created this exclusive line of a baseball bat with rock maple wood (also known as sugar maple)! The top quality maple wood is the hardest, most popular choice for wood types that is MLB approved,” writes Sarah Scoop. “This bat has a pro cupped end and the barrel diameter is 2 and a half inches. Featuring a -3 length to weight ratio, this bat is structurally sound to take on any hit! The graphics make this bat unique and aesthetic. Get this valuable bat today!”
Honest Baseball is also a fan of the models dedicated to Trout. “Old Hickory has a good name for their products and their Mike Trout preferred wood bat is called MT27. This is a 243-style bat with rock maple woods. Power hitters as well as contact hitters can benefit from that bat. You can see it in Mike Trout’s performance. A traditional knob with a thin handle gives it the same quality as the Louisville Slugger Prime. Although there are similarities in the key features, both bats are different in their own way.”
5. Louisville Slugger MLB Prime Baseball Bat
These Prime bats range in the types of wood they are made of, providing a wide variety for anyone in the market for a new swinger. Honest Baseball explains, “Louisville slugger is the top name in wood bats for Major League level. Most of their sbats are MLB approved and you can just pick them up for your next big game without hesitation. MLB Prime is one of their big names for MLB games and you can find the bat customizable according to your wish. Ashwood, Maple Wood, or even Birch Wood, you can have the best wood for this 271 turning model. The Maple wood baseball bat comes in a classic black color. Contact hitters find the bat very comfortable. I tried it myself and enjoyed every moment of playing with it.”
“There is no bigger superstar in baseball than the Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. Now, you can swing the turn model he designed through Louisville Slugger. The MLB Prime Acuna features the RA13 turn model, which gives hitters an end-loaded swing weight and an ultra-flared knob,” writes Just Bats. “Hitters talk about how much leverage they can get on their swings due to the uncommon knob design. The prime maple wood used is among the strongest in baseball, and coupled with the EXOPRO finish, the Acuna MLB Prime will give you unprecedented longevity.”
“Louisville Slugger also offers a fully customizable option for all their maple models starting at $170. This is a very reasonable price for a custom bat in which you can choose the color, finish, and engraving,” adds The Hitting Vault.
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Sources:
- Just Bats
- Bat Digest
- Baseball Bible
- The Hitting Vault
- Baseball Monkey
- Sarah Scoop
- The National Pastime Museum
- Honest Baseball
- Better Baseball
- The Bat Nerds
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.
I respect the article, a lot of other companies with a lot better quality and models than these. Some of these older companies are saturated and on the way down. Overcharging parents because of the name, but the quality has long gone.