wood types
Just like BBCOR bats, the material of a wood bat matters greatly depending on the hitter's size and playing style. Here is a list of the most common types of wood to help the player make the perfect choice.
Ash wood- Ash wood is the lightest of all the common wood types. This means that ash bats can have a larger barrel diameter and sweet spot without making the bat feel top heavy. Pound for pound ash is the strongest wood. Ash wood has a wider grain structure which makes the wood feel softer. This gives a whip-like swing, provides more flex on contact, and creates a larger sweet spot. The problem with ash is that when you swing the bat, you have to make sure the the label is straight up or straight down. This makes contact with the stronger part of the wood.
Maple Wood- Maple wood is the strongest and most dense wood. This means that when you make contact you can feel the ball come off of the bat. It also makes the barrel feel more end-loaded for power hitters. Maple wood has a tight grain structure which makes it one of the most durable woods. Most maple bats will be made with an ink dot that shows which side is strongest. When swinging a maple bat, make sure the ink dot faces the pitcher.
Yellow Birch Wood- Yellow birch wood is the most balanced wood type. It has the hardness of maple and the flex of ash. This wood is the most balanced and can be used by both contact and power hitters.
Bamboo Wood- Bamboo bats are made from many bamboo strips pressed together to form one fillet before being turned. This makes the wood have a stronger tensile strength than steel. Bamboo bats are often lightweight and come in a variety of turn models. They are also less expensive than ash and maple bats and more durable.