Best Drop 3 Baseball Bats in 2022

A baseball bat is a long smooth metal or wooden club that hits the ball after a pitcher throws it. By baseball regulations, it should not be more than 42 inches in length and 2.5 inches in diameter at the thick part. In the olden days, bats of around 1.4kg were swung by baseball players; these days, most bats range between 0.94kg to 1.0kg.

Baseball VS Softball Bats: What’s the difference

While many mistook baseball and softball bats to be the same, the two are entirely different. The two vary in many ways due to the type of the game, how it is played, and who is playing it.

At trim levels, most softball bats can play baseball and vice versa. They both have similar lengths, weights, and shapes. But once in the adult stage, the two games have different bats. Now, let’s look at some key differences between baseball and softball bats.

The length of the bat

For adults, baseball bats are usually 33 inches, while ball bats are 34 inches.

The difference in length is because, in baseball, the pitcher is farther away from the batter and a little bit raised due to the pitcher’s mound, while in softball, a pitcher is closer to a batter, and they’re on the same level. As such, the extra length of the softball bat will allow the hitter to cover more of the plate when up to bat. Since the batter has less time to react to the pitch due to the level of the pitcher and the shorter distance, therefore, having an extra length to help in reaching out the plate can be extremely helpful.

Also, a baseball travels faster than a softball, so having a shorter bat can allow faster movement when getting the bat off your shoulder for a swing. And because the pitcher is farther away and elevated, the batter will have more time to adjust the pitches outside the plate, thus reducing a baseball bat by an inch to get an extra bat speed is a batter than having extra coverage.

The weight of the bat

Another huge difference between a softball and a baseball bat is the weight of the bats.

For baseball bats, most adult leagues abide by the -3 rule, meaning the bat must weigh within 3 ounces of its length. This means, if your bat is 33 inches long, it shouldn’t weigh less than 30 ounces.

This rule is made to ensure the safety of the players by preventing the use of extremely light bats that can be swung fast from being used during the play. The speed of a bat is one of the factors that can impact a ball as It leaves the bat.

In softball, however, the bat weight can make a big difference since there’s no -3 rule in softball. As such, fastpitch softball bats used to be lighter. They usually weigh between 23-28 ounces to be swung faster due to the smaller distance between the batter and the pitcher.

However, in slow pitch softball, a heavier bat is preferred since the speed of the bat isn’t a big concern as it is in fastpitch softball. The heavier the bat, the more momentum and power when you swing. As such, these bats weigh between 26 to 30 ounces.

The barrel

Generally, baseball bats used to have wider barrels compared to softball bats. The barrel of a softball usually measures about 2-¼ inches while that of baseball measures around 2-⅝” for some reason.

The reasons are, baseballs are generally smaller than softballs; therefore, it’s harder to hit them with the sweet spot of the barrel. But by making the barrel a bit bigger, you’ll provide more surface area for the ball to make contact with. In softball, however, the ball is big as suc; it doesn’t require a bigger barrel; by using one, you might end up hitting a foul ball. The delicate nature of the barrel also makes the bats lighter in weight which in turn helps in bat speed.

How to choose a baseball bat

Choosing a new baseball bat for an upcoming season is a spark of excitement among many baseball players. However, choosing the right bat can be daunting due to different league regulations, height, and drop weight. Before choosing a baseball bat, it’s important to know some factors that you’re expected to note is to be safe from making the wrong choice. We shall discuss such factors below:

Your League’s regulations

The most important thing to think of when choosing a baseball bat is your league’s regulations. Most leagues are always making changes and updating regulations, as you’ll need to talk to your coach or any league official to know the type of baseball bat that meets the current league regulations.

Generally, there are three main baseball bats certifications, namely, BBCOR, USABat, and USSSA. Then the Tee-ball bat for youngsters.

The length of the bat

Baseball bats mostly measure between 24 to 34 inches from the cap to the knob end. This gives you pretty different options to choose from. However, the best way to know the perfect size of a bat for a player is by using their height and weight. Here are some ways to measure whether a bat is of the right length.

1. Place the bat on the center of your chest, pointing it to the side of your outstretched arms. Try reaching the top of the bat with your fingers. If you can, you’ve got the right length of bat you need
2. Position the bottom of the bat on the center of your chest, facing outward. Try grabbing the barrel, if your arm can reach out and grab it, then the bat is of the right length
3. Keep the bat standing against the side of your leg, keep your palms straight anteriorly and see if the bat reaches the center of your palm when you go down. If it does, then it’s of the right length.

If you aren’t comfortable measuring the length of a bat using these methods, you can get a bat size chart and use it as a guide.

The weight of the bat

The weight depends on how much you feel. If, after taking multiple swings, the bat begins to drop, then it means the bat is too heavy for you. Another good way to know if the weight is okay is by holding the bat handle and extending your arm to your side. If you can’t keep it like this for 30 – 45 seconds, then the bat is probably too heavy for you.

Aside from the weight, the drop weight is also important. The drop weight is the number gotten when the length of a bat is subtracted from its weight. For example, a 30-inch baseball bat that weighs 20 ounces will have a drop weight of -10 ounces. The drop weight helps us know how light or heavy a bat is.

For youngsters playing tee-ball, they mostly use bats with higher drop weight for better control of swing and coverage. As they’re growing and developing more baseball skills, the drop will decrease, meaning they’ll start to use heavier bats to optimize their swing. Here’s a simple way to know if a bat is of the right drop weight for you:

1. Hold the bat horizontally away from your body, if you can keep it like that for 45 seconds without getting tired, then it’s of the right drop weight
2. Try swinging the bat continuously, if your arm feel fatigued and the bat feels heavy, then it’s not of the right drop weight

One Piece or Two Piece Bat

Another important thing to note when choosing a bat is whether it’s one piece or two pieces. This has a lot to do with how much energy and flex your bat will have.

One-piece bats are made from a continuous piece of material. Upon contact with a ball, there’s a little give or flex in the bat, resulting in no energy loss. This type of bat is great for balanced and powerful swings, but a missed hit can cause annoying stinging on your hand.

As the name suggests, two-piece bats are made by fusing the barrel and the handle. This design creates more whip and flex, thereby adding to bat speed. These types of bats can also withstand vibrations, making them the perfect option for players that hate the stinging feeling.

Composite or Aluminum Bat

This is another good thing to look at when choosing a baseball bat. The main difference between composite and aluminum bats is the size of the sweet spot.

Composite bats mostly come with a wider sweet spot to increase your chance of having a solid hit. This makes it ideal for kids and young players learning how to make solid contact with the ball. An aluminum bat, on the other hand, has a smaller sweet spot, so it requires skill and mastery to make solid contact.

The break-in time is also a difference between the two bats; a composite bat takes between 150 to 200 swings to break in, while an aluminum bat performs well right from the start.

Knowing your league’s regulations, the right length, weight, and drop weight, then you’re ready to go baseball bat shopping. It’s up to you to decide whether you want a one-piece, two-piece, aluminum, or composite bat.

How to Clean a Baseball Bat

With time, baseball bats tend to accumulate stains due to heavy usage. Though some players believe that the dirt adds to the character and shows how much you play, there are still times when we feel like restoring the shiny texture of our bats.

Cleaning your bat is quite easy; just use water and mild soap. Avoid solvents and harsh cleaners as they can harm the surface or damage the graphics on the bat.

How to Clean a Wooden Bat

If you have a wooden bat, then cleaning it will be quite tricky compared to other types of bats. If you try cleaning it with normal water, it will absorb too much water and spoil. Then what’s the way out? Here’s a good way to clean a wooden bat.

Get a clean rag and soak it in rubbing alcohol (It is a good stain, sweat, tar, and other contaminants remover). Use the soaked rag and clean the whole bat from the cap to the knob. Clean the handle thoroughly as it absorbs a lot of dirt and sweat since it’s where you grip. Get a rusty baseball bat and rub it against the scratches of your bat. After that, scrape the bat to remove the remaining stains; if this doesn’t work for you, try a magic eraser; you can easily find it in a baseball equipment shop. Just make sure you keep the bat away from water and direct sunlight after cleaning it.

How to clean an Aluminum Bat

Taking care of an Aluminum bat is much easier than taking care of a wooden bat. Here, you’ll need to start by removing dirt and grime using a moist cloth.

Then make a solution using mild detergent and warm water, use it to scrub the bat clean. For harder and tough stains, use elbow grease or a magic eraser to eliminate them. Rinse your bat thoroughly with clean water and dry with a clean, soft cloth.

You can use only soap and water to clean aluminum bats; using grease and a magic eraser will help remove all stains and restore the sheen and glow of your bat.

The same applies to composite bats, and you can easily clean them with a solution of dishwater and warm water. Avoid acetone, solvents, and other harsh cleaners that may damage the graphics and the finishing of your bats.

Now that you’ve known how to choose a baseball bat and how to take care of one, what remains is choosing a good bat. We won’t leave you; we’ve reviewed the best drop 3 baseball bats available on Amazon.

Here, we are taking a look at the four best drop-three baseball bats that are available on Amazon. A Drop 3 or BBCOR bat has a barrel of 2-5 /8″ or smaller in diameter and a length to weight ratio of -3.

The 4 drops 3 bats to be reviewed are made from high-quality materials; they’re durable, lightweight, and easily cleaned. Each bat is discussed with its features, advantages and disadvantages.