Bat Digest
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
fastpitch-bat-review
best-softball-bat
best-baseball-bat
baseball-bat-review

Disclaimer: This site uses affiliate links. Learn More.


<< All Bests

Best Bat for 9 Year Old

Updated August 4, 2022

By Bat Digest

Nine years old is a tough time to find the perfect bat. On one hand your player is growing and won’t need a bat for too long, on another many 9 year olds are starting to take baseball pretty seriously and the right bat can make all the difference for that travel ball or all star team. Yet, still, spending a small fortune on a top end bat that will last much longer than he will is a tough call.

We suggest, if you’re very serious about baseball and fastpitch at 9, you go for the best on this list. Then, look to sell your bat in the secondary market come next season (or whenever they grow out of it). If you’re playing rec and just figureing things out we suggest you stick with the less expensive options as it won’t matter that much. If your child just needs a bat for this year and you want to give them a legitimate option then go for the less expensive ones.

Updated August 4, 2022

With the vast majority of 2020 bats hit with we updated this article to reflect the best bats we found for 9 year olds. We also added information from our bat size chart survey data.

4. 2022 Marucci F5

Player Feedback
Performance
Relevance
Demand
Tech Specs
Specs

Certification: USA

Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Barrel Size: 2 5/8

Drop: 10

Swing Weight: Mid

Serial Number: MSBF5310USA

Original Price: $100

Release Month: September 2021

4. Best Bat for 9 Year Old (Runner Up)

2022 Marucci F5 USA Drop 10
USA
2022 Marucci F5

$100

Original Price

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

2. 2021 Marucci CAT 9 Composite

Player Feedback
Performance
Relevance
Demand
Tech Specs
Specs

Certification: USSSA

Sizes: 28, 29, 30, 31

Barrel Size: 2 3/4

Drop: 10

Swing Weight: Light

Serial Number: MSBCCP910

Original Price: $350

Release Month: October 2020

2. Best Drop 10 Bats

2021 Marucci CAT 9 Composite USSSA Drop 10
USSSA
2021 Marucci CAT 9 Composite

$350

Original Price

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

We are huge fans of the Marucci CAT Connect in a drop 10 for USSSA. The bat has a huge barrel, great feel and everyone who swings it really likes it. Of course we also like bats like the META and CF in the drop 10 space, but if we were forced to choose one drop 10 at this very moment, the CAT 9 Composite just feels right.

5. 2023 Axe Avenge Pro

Player Feedback
Performance
Relevance
Demand
Tech Specs
Specs

Certification: USSSA

Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Barrel Size: 2 3/4

Drop: 10

Swing Weight: Light+

Serial Number: L148K

Original Price: $399

Release Month: May 2022

5. Our 9 Year Olds Favorite Bat

2023 Axe Avenge Pro USSSA Drop 10
USSSA
2023 Axe Avenge Pro

$399

Original Price

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

We like the Axe Avenge Pro, but so does our 9-year-old. This is their favorite bat, and it does feel great, so we must at least put it somewhere on this list. You can’t go wrong with a few bats, and this is one.

1. 2022 Easton ADV 360

Player Feedback
Performance
Relevance
Demand
Tech Specs
Specs

Certification: USA

Sizes: 28, 29, 30, 31, 32

Barrel Size: 2 5/8

Drop: 10

Swing Weight: Mid

Serial Number: YBB22ADV10

Original Price: $350

Release Month: October 2021

1. Best Bat for 9 Year Old (Runner Up)

2022 Easton ADV 360 USA Drop 10
USA
2022 Easton ADV 360

$350

Original Price

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Although there are plenty of great, less expensive options, if you want the creme de la creme of USA bats for 2022, then the drop 10 USA Easton ADV is the winner, winner, chicken dinner. The bat has an excellent feel, a huge barrel, and top-end exit speeds. Those who want the bat in the USA that feels the most like a USSSA bat should find a home for an ADV 360 drop 10 from 2022.

3. 2022 Easton Maxum Ultra

Player Feedback
Performance
Relevance
Demand
Tech Specs
Specs

Certification: USA

Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Barrel Size: 2 5/8

Drop: 10

Swing Weight: Mid+

Serial Number: YBB22MX10

Original Price: $280

Release Month: October 2021

3. Best Drop 10 USA Bat

2022 Easton Maxum Ultra USA Drop 10
USA
2022 Easton Maxum Ultra

$280

Original Price

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

We think the best drop 10 USA Bat is Easton’s Maxum Ultra. Granted, it’s a single-piece bat so you can expect more feedback in the hands-on mishits, but the full composite design does have some forgiveness over a single-piece bat like a SOLO or Vandal (that we also like in the drop 10 space). We shy away from the Easton ADV 360 not because we don’t like it but because we both want to change it up a bit and are slightly concerned about the durability issues in the ADV 360. In any case, our favorite drop 10 baseball bat currently is the Easton Maxum Ultra.

Recommended Video

Best Bat for 9 Year Old

2

2021 Marucci CAT 9 Composite

2. Best Drop 10 Bats
CAT 9 Composite Ratings
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter

Why We Love the 2021 CAT 9 Composite

We are huge fans of the Marucci CAT Connect in a drop 10 for USSSA. The bat has a huge barrel, great feel and everyone who swings it really likes it. Of course we also like bats like the META and CF in the drop 10 space, but if we were forced to choose one drop 10 at this very moment, the CAT 9 Composite just feels right.

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Specs

Certification: USSSA

Barrel Size: 2 3/4

Sizes: 28, 29, 30, 31

Drop: 10

Serial Number: MSBCCP910

Release Month: October 2020

4

2022 Marucci F5

4. Best Bat for 9 Year Old (Runner Up)
F5 Ratings
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter

Why We Love the 2022 F5

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Specs

Certification: USA

Barrel Size: 2 5/8

Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Drop: 10

Serial Number: MSBF5310USA

Release Month: September 2021

Related: Best USA Bats

5

2023 Axe Avenge Pro

5. Our 9 Year Olds Favorite Bat
Avenge Pro Ratings
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter

Why We Love the 2023 Avenge Pro

We like the Axe Avenge Pro, but so does our 9-year-old. This is their favorite bat, and it does feel great, so we must at least put it somewhere on this list. You can’t go wrong with a few bats, and this is one.

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Specs

Certification: USSSA

Barrel Size: 2 3/4

Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Drop: 10

Serial Number: L148K

Release Month: May 2022

1

2022 Easton ADV 360

1. Best Bat for 9 Year Old (Runner Up)
ADV 360 Ratings
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter

Why We Love the 2022 ADV 360

Although there are plenty of great, less expensive options, if you want the creme de la creme of USA bats for 2022, then the drop 10 USA Easton ADV is the winner, winner, chicken dinner. The bat has an excellent feel, a huge barrel, and top-end exit speeds. Those who want the bat in the USA that feels the most like a USSSA bat should find a home for an ADV 360 drop 10 from 2022.

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Specs

Certification: USA

Barrel Size: 2 5/8

Sizes: 28, 29, 30, 31, 32

Drop: 10

Serial Number: YBB22ADV10

Release Month: October 2021

3

2022 Easton Maxum Ultra

3. Best Drop 10 USA Bat
Maxum Ultra Ratings
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter
swing weight meter

Why We Love the 2022 Maxum Ultra

We think the best drop 10 USA Bat is Easton’s Maxum Ultra. Granted, it’s a single-piece bat so you can expect more feedback in the hands-on mishits, but the full composite design does have some forgiveness over a single-piece bat like a SOLO or Vandal (that we also like in the drop 10 space). We shy away from the Easton ADV 360 not because we don’t like it but because we both want to change it up a bit and are slightly concerned about the durability issues in the ADV 360. In any case, our favorite drop 10 baseball bat currently is the Easton Maxum Ultra.

Amazon

Buy Used from SidelineSwap

Specs

Certification: USA

Barrel Size: 2 5/8

Sizes: 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Drop: 10

Serial Number: YBB22MX10

Release Month: October 2021

The Research

Common Questions from Parents of 9 Year Olds

1) How Much Should You Spend?

For 9-year-olds we like to use the Rule of 10. This rule states that the maximum amount of money you should spend on a baseball bat for your 9U is 10 multiplied by the number of games he or she will play. For example, if you are scheduled to play 15 games this year (a lot for a 9U, then spending a maximum of $150 on a bat is a pretty good limit. Of course, you can spend less if you find a better deal or simply want to limit your budget.

2) What Size Is Allowed?

Before spending real money on a baseball bat, you need to know what restrictions apply in your league. At 8 years old, most have very few rules, but there are some who restrict the diameter of the barrel to 2 5/8 or even 2 1/4. As well, many require special stamping (like BPF 1.15 to print on the bats).

Best Baseball Bat Options For 9U

Choose the following performance baseball bat for your 9-year-old based on price (below) and barrel length (see below chart). Other things to consider are below the chart. Best Bat for 8-Year-Old Criteria

As there are a number of good bats made for 9-year-olds, league and swing type will be the most important factors in determining which one to select. As we show below, there is a range of bats in different price points worth considering.

One bat that should be on the list is DeMarini’s JBB 2 3/4 CF Zen*. We think the bat is outstanding in terms of pop and balance, but enough complaints on the durability make us hesitate at least a little bit.  If it comes with a warranty, we say go for it. Otherwise, the following three bats are well worth a good look.

*After writing the above paragraph, the CF Zen JBB drop 10 has been banned by USSSA.

Why We’re Right, Maybe

We have hit with every bat in every category. As well, we have had long conversations with industry insiders and major vendors about each bat. That experience, combined with thousands of hours researching and writing about bats and actually playing week in and week out, give us some insight into the best bat for a 9-year-old.

We write about all our rankings in our best bats articles.

What is the Right Bat Size

The average 9U should be swinging an 18 ounce bat. There are two measurements in a baseball bat: the DROP and the LENGTH. The recommended drop is stated in the chart above. The length is dependent upon your child’s height and strength. Generally speaking, there are few 9 year olds who should be swinging anything more than a 29 inch bat. Some can swing a 30 inch. The only real way to tell is to try it out. But on the whole, we’d suggest the average 9 year old get a 29 inch bat. If he’s much bigger than average then go 30.

See our full bat size chart here.

Here’s the full chart of 9 year old bat size responses.

Bat Size Chart 9 Year Old

Bat Rumors

Most 2020 bats are released and we’ve hit with them. We don’t expect any big surprises to occur in the bat space in the short run. Of course, as always, expect big manufacturers to come up with some limited edition or colorways as the holidays get closer for 2019. But, aside from that, there shouldn’t be considerable changes in the best bat for 9U through the 2020 season. Expect most changes to occur during the late summer of 2020.

Download our data.