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After measuring thousands of exit speeds, we’ve found swing weight as the most important factor in predicted exit speeds. To be sure, swing weight is the most important feature of the bat, but not of the swing. Bat speed, mechanics, and other things that are hitter controlled are more important than the bat. In terms of what the bat can control the swing weight, not barrel performance, is the single most important factor in predicting and improving exit speeds.
A bat size chart is also a good place to start. But, remember, the stated weight of a bat is not the same as its swing weight. Bats with the same scale weight can be upwards of 10% different in feel.
Measuring swing weights is a colossal and expensive task. To measure the bats, we need to own them. It also takes time to find the balance point, scale weight, and pendulum period of the bat. As well, the formula for measuring swing is not uncomplicated.
We share our swing weights with our email subscribers. These include all the swing weights from every year and every league. Once subscribed, you’re given access to a page with all the swing weights and is updated every 60 days or so.
Although we are confident in our swing measurements’ repeatability, we do not submit they are perfect. Our best estimate is we run no less than 200 points off. Meaning, a percentage swing of 2 to 3%, either way, would be a reasonable margin of error.
A percentage point or two one direction or another is virtually indistinguishable to any given player. A bat with a 4% change in any given direction on the above chart is likely not noticeable by anyone.
Updated December 3, 2020
December 3, 2020
By Brian Duryea | @BatDigest
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So I’ve been looking at the swing weight chart. If we are swinging a light 32 inch bat and in the next year or so want to get to a light 33 inch bat would it make sense to move to more of a middle of the road 32 in between there? Thinking about the meta or the maxxum ultra?
Good question. Sadly, it’s hard to say. I don’t think there is a wrong way to do it. In a perfect world, we’d dial in our swing weight for every pitch. But in practice, especially as younger kids are growing, it doesn’t make much sense to evaluate it every day. But, often. I think most don’t go from 32 light to 32 heavy to 33 light. they usually just go from 32 light to 33 light. That’s probably what we would do, too.
Thanks for reading.
do drop 5 bats have more pop than drop 8 bats
They have more weight, so they do have more ‘pop’. But, it’s a question of physics here. If they have more weight then you might swing it slower. So, in that case, they might not have more.
However, the trampoline effect is the same pound for pound.
So if I’m reading the chart correctly the cat7 has a very high swing weight. What bat would you suggest for a 14u player and he has used the cat 7 for a year and his average has dropped off and he developed other issues in his mechanics. I believe because he is smaller (100 lbs) it is related to the swing weight of the cat 7
Hey Dustin,
The decent news is over the years, Marucci has made their CAT line a bit lighter. However, the CAT 9 still isn’t “light” and more balanced.
If he likes single-piece bats and wants something light swinging, then he might really like the Slugger Solo or Rawlings VELO. Both swing very light and might help a lot in dialing in some mechanical issues. The 2020 VELO changed a fair amount from the 2019. But the 2020 and 2021 are about the same. In terms of the Solo, that bat has pretty much been the same for the last 5 years. So, any one of those would be reasonable. Today (Black Friday), Slugger has their 2020 Solo brand new for a decent deal (https://wilson.aqpq.net/Robeb) . I’d probably keep the same length he has now. So, if he’s a 31/28 CAT 7 user, then go to the 31/28 Solo.
Hope that helps point you in the right direction.
If your son is 100 lbs., look for a good condition used Easton Ghost X or an Easton Mako 2015 white/orange. He will benefit from the 2 piece composite. In my experience, with these bats, you will have a bigger sweet spot than a SOLO. Also, the ball flies off of theses bats further and harder than a SOLO for lighter/smaller players. They both have low swing weights. The other benefit… no hand sting/vibration. An Easton S1 2011 is also a popular used 2 piece comp. bat… 31/28. Ask the seller questions and study the pictures, end cap and knob to judge condition and usage. I’ve seen many players struggle with the Cat 7 and 8. Cat 6 swings lighter in my opinion and still hits well, and is less bulky.
If you don’t mind buying new expensive bats, the Easton Maxum 1 piece comp, Combat B2 one piece comp, Victus Vandal alloy, maybe Demarini CF Zen 2 piece comp. are light swinging, popular bats to check out.
So I subscribed and didn’t get a list so how exactly do I see the data on swing weight
Hey Dustin. It gets sent automatically, might be a spam filter issue. Send us an email real quick at admin@batdigest.com and we’ll get it over. Thanks.
I like your swing weight analysis on this site. This is especially helpful for smaller, lighter weight players. Can you tell me where the Easton ADV 360 and the Warstic Bonesaber fall on your 2020 swing weight bar chart? Looking at these plus Easton Maxum and Victus Vandal for a 5’8″ 122 lb. contact high school player. He is moving up to a 32″ this coming season. Would you have a specific recommendation? This player already has a 2015 Easton Mako that is like new. We’re not sure if the newer BBCOR’s will perform better than this Mako. The swing weight of the Mako is good, very light, but not sure how it will perform with live pitching. I like to provide two bats for my son, usually a composite and an alloy for colder days. Although, I’ve never seen anyone crack a composite in lower temperatures. I know… lots of questions, right? Thanks
Art,
Thanks. The Bonesaber we consider a balanced+ bat. It swings just a few points higher than the average. The ADV 360 we’d consider a balanced- bat. It swings just a few points under the average. If you were holding both the ADV and the Bonesaber in your hands at the same time we’d guess most could not feel the difference. They are within that magically 5% difference and almost impossible to feel differently.
We have a lot of affinity towards older BBCOR bats. Our exit speed tests show the bats do just as well as new ones. The BBCOR standard has been met for several years now.
We also do the alloy/composite approach. We think the Bonesaber and a 2015 MAKO in BBCOR would be a great set of bats. A balanced+ and a light swinging bat in alloy and composite is a good and enviable set, no doubt.
Hope that helps.
Brian
Any idea what the swing weights are for the 2021 33″ voodoo one or the 2021 33″ stinger nuke?
Hey, Voodoo One isn’t out yet so we won’t have that for a few more weeks. The 32″ NUKE is heavy. We suspect the 33″ will be just the same. Like top 10% of bats heavy. Hope that helps and thanks for reading.
Can you publish these same tables for USSSA bats in both the -8 and -5 categories? Would really be helpful since the BBCOR and USSSA bat of the same model name could be very different and fall into the table very differently. Would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks. Its hard to get our hands on all the drop 8 and drop 5 bats. We’ll see what we can do.
618 Solo is the perfect bat for a smaller player transitioning to BBCOR. We have a 31/28, my son loves it. Super light, great pop. We also picked up a 917 Prime 32/29 in case he shoots up. (fingers crossed)
Where is the CAT 8 on this list? It is a popular bat and was redesigned to have a lighter swing weight than the CAT 7. Would like to be able to compare.
Thanks
where can i find the calculator and or spreadsheet for the swing weight of a bat?
https://www.batdigest.com/bat-size-chart/bat-swing-weight-calculator/
Link doesn’t work.
Fixed. Thanks.
Why are the values for the 2018 bats different from the 2019 bats? Would be nice to be able to compare the two lists.
You can on our exit sheet data page.
Little confused. You said the axe avenge is the lightest swinging bat. But then it’s not listed under The Lighedt Swinging BBCOR Bat. Please clarify thanks!
Hey Tom,
This page has yet to be updated since we did our swing weights just a few months ago. Those are 2018 bats in the list. 2019 in the header image.
Hello,
Thank you for putting up this info. It is super helpful and, as you know, pretty much impossible to find anywhere else.
Would you be willing to include a link to the 2018 swing weight data you had previously posted? It would be interesting to compare between years.
Thank you!
Thanks Mike. And so true.
The data is below the data. You do have to do the “like” thing, but it should show up. Let me know if it doesn’t.
How does the Marucci Posey BBCOR rank in among these bats?
The Marucci Posey BBCOR is the same bat as the CAT 7. So it ranks exactly similar to that, but with a different paint job.
So does swing weight translate to wood bat turn models? With wood bats I am used to seeing balanced defined as a 110 turn, a little end loaded defined as a 271, and a lot end loaded defined as a 243. Do these wood turn models correlate to swing weight in this evaluation?
When buying a wood bat, the 271 and 243 turn models get marketed to power hitters or hitters looking for more power. Where as with composite bats it seems like the marketing hype is all about being “balanced” which sounds like a 110 turn to me.
Great Question Dave. And you are right. Turn models have an inherit swing weight to them. Mostly because the bat’s shape, ie turn, derives where the weight of the bat sits. And a bat with a higher swing weight will have a balance point more towards the end cup. These models, sold more towards power hitters, will have a balance point closer to the end.
If you want to tell the difference, without all the calculation, one useful way to determine the swing weight of the bat is by measuring the balance point. You do that by just balancing it on your finger. Mark the spot. Then compare that number to another bat’s balance point. Most often, the one with the balance point further away from the knob will be a heavier swing weight.
Hope that helps!
Why does the price go up whn ther bat is pretty much the same ?
Email their marketing folks. 🙂