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Updated December 3, 2020
December 3, 2020
By Brian Duryea | @BatDigest
We’ve measured the vast majority of USA swing weights since 2018.
Swing weights are a measurement of how difficult it is to swing a bat. Bat’s with the same stated weight (like all 30/20s) do not feel the same. What controls the degree of strength required to swing a bat is how the weight of the bat is distributed along its length.
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.
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We can measure the difficulty required to swing a bat. It is a function of the bats balance point, total weight and a physics principle called pendulum period. Those variables determine the swing weight.
Swing weights are the most determining factor in predicting exit speeds. More critical than barrel performance, model, or brand, the swing weight is what allows players to get the most mass to the ball at the right time. If swing weight isn’t right, the player is leaving distance on the table, or too late to make any impact.
The trick to successful bat buying is to find the bat with the right swing weight. The good news is that many bats have, roughly, the same swing weight. You can find the bats in the same grouping of on our swing weight charts.
It’s not very simple, unfortunately.
Ultimately, you take need to find the balance point, pendulum period, and scale weight of a bat. Then, you use a physics formula to calculate the swing weight. We have a tutorial on how to do it here.
No.
Swing weight is a physics measurement that determines how difficult a bat is to swing around its knob. This depends on the bat’s total scale weight, but more so on the distribution of that weight within the bat. Bat’s with very similar scale weights can have very different swing weights because one might have the weight focused around the knob while the other has it in the end cap.
If you are not sure of the bat that fits your swing best (therefore making the swing weight charts unhelpful), we suggest you start in the middle. Find a bat in the middle third (we call these balanced). You’ll need to try it out somehow–borrow a friend, buy a cheap one or use some type of testing program. Once you have a feel for the type of bat you like you’ll be much more equipped to dial in the perfect swing weight for you.
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I have two questions where would the Easton Beast X drop 10 fall on this swing speed list also can I use the same logic on the 28 in versions of these bats or would it be different
1) The beast X Drop 10 30/20 has a 5100 MOI (or thereabouts). So, in other words, you can expect it to be “balanced” like the other ones on this list.
In theory, every bat manufacturer changes their swing weight by about 10% from inch to inch. Making, therefore, the 28 Beast X similar to where the 31 lands in respect to other bats. But, in practice, no one has yet measured all the swing weights of every bat to confirm. We have tried but our budget limits us to not buy every bat in every size, just every bat. Anyways, hope that helps.
Would it be possible to include Axe bats, specifically Axe Element and Axe Origin to the list? Thanks.
Would it be possible to include Axe bats, specifically Axe Element and Axe Origin to the list? Thanks.
For some reason I cannot subscribe to see the results…. Tried email… Facebook…. And Google…..it hates me…. I hope this stays updated as the newer bats get tested. I’d also like to view it.
Have you completed swing weights for 2019 USA bats?
Yes. They are found on our exit speed pages that you can buy access to. At some point in the next week or so we’ll put much of that data on this page. Thanks for the reminder!
What about the Rawlings Threat?
Thanks
Do you know the swing weight of the 2018 Louisville Slugger select 718 -5? Trying to determine if this would have a lower swing weight than the solo BBCOR (-3). Thanks.
Rob, the drop 5 Select in USA swings as heavy as many BBCOR bats. It’s the heaviest drop 5 we’ve ever measured and equals the same swing weight as the 33-inch BBCOR Prime. It has good pop, but the main reason it hits the ball as far as it does is because its the most endloaded bat we’ve ever seen. 🙂
Looking at the Louisville Slugger Omaha 29/19 for my son in 8U. What are your thoughts or things I should look out for?
Might be a bit big for an 8u. Probably do better with a 28 or 27 drop 10. But, in terms of a good USA Bat, the 718 is legit and as good as they made them in 2018.
THANKS! I am looking at that size based on the LS size chart. It’s the 2020 Omaha. The price point seems fine and we are looking for a bat that is our first step up for travel baseball. Would you say it would be heavier or lighter on the swing scale?
The Omaha is really right in the middle in swing weight. Most of those small bats are. We’ve always thought our younger hitters could use as much help with a light swing as they could get. Don’t be afraid to go for that 27/17. Also, the most common size in that year is the 28/16 (drop 12). But, if you want that drop 10 Omaha, we’d say a 27/17 Omaha. See this here: https://www.batdigest.com/bat-size-chart/
Can you tell me about the USSSA cat8 -5 30/25 swing weight? Has a Quatro -8 right now in USA which feels light. Looking for balanced.
Hey Aaron,
The CAT 8 in a drop 5 is one of our favorite USSSA bats of all time. It will definitley swing heavier than the drop 8 Quatro. Hard to quantify that exactly, but we think a 30/25 CAT 8 drop 5 will swing 20% heavier than a Quatro 30/22. That’s a rough guess, but probably pretty close.
In any event, we recommend the CAT 8 in a drop 5. Stiff feel so it will feel quite a bit different than his Quatro. But, in terms of performance, its as good as it gets if he can swing it.
Thanks. Looking for a winter -5 or -8 one piece. How does the mizuno hot metal USA swing compared to the cat 8?
So if swing weight is has the most effect on exit speed does that mean you want the lightest swing weight? If so then why are end loaded bat more for powe hitters, why wouldn’t they want the lightest swing weight also?
Swing weight is the most important thing but that does NOT mean that you, therefore, want the lightest swinging bat. Instead, you want the bat that optimizes your swing speed with the greatest amount of mass. Heavy hitters can swing a heavier bat just as fast as they can swing a lighter bat—because mechanics are what slow you down, not bat weight. So, a heavier swinging bat for them doesn’t change their timing. You need to swing a bat with the heaviest swing weight that does not affect your timing.