If you are in the market for a new wood bat one of the decisions, you’ll be faced with is what type of wood are you going to select. These days there are three primary types of wood used in most baseball bats: maple, ash and birch. So, you might be wondering what is the best wood for a baseball bat?
The best type of wood for a baseball bat is maple due to its durability, hardness, longevity and overall performance. Ash is also another popular wood used in baseball bats that’s preferred by many hitters. Ash is known for its flexibility which helps hitters create more bat speed and it tends to be more forgiving.
However, there are pro’s and con’s to each type of wood and a lot of it comes down to personal preference and which one fits your swing better.
Let’s talk more about all of the different types of wood used in baseball bats and some of the advantages and disadvantages of each. As well as which ones are used in the Major Leagues.
Best Wood for Baseball Bats
The three most popular and common woods used for baseball bats are: maple, ash, and birch. Maple is the most popular wood and used by most major league players. Ash used to be the gold standard and was very popular in the 80’s and 90’s. Birch on the other hand is a new and emerging wood bat that is quickly gaining popularity.
Here is a description of each and some pro’s and con’s you should consider when selecting a bat in these different categories.
Baseball Bat Wood Types
Maple
The most common and popular type of wood bat used. It’s an extremely dense wood that provides a harder service. It’s also a little bit heavier.
By far one of the most popular types of wood bats used in baseball is maple. In fact, over 90% of major league hitters select to bats that are made from maple.
Maple is a very dense wood, making it one of the best to use for wood bats. Its density makes it a very hard and durable wood. The harder and more durable a bat is the more pop it will have and the longer it will last.
An added benefit of maple is that the more you use and hit balls with maple bats the more pop it will have as the grain compacts together. Maple also won’t flake apart or splinter like other woods will over time.
The downside to wood is that it tends to be a bit heavier especially in colder climates and its also less forgiving when you strike a ball off the end of your bar or near the trademark.
Here are a few strengths and weaknesses of maple:
Pro’s
- A denser harder wood
- More durable
- Most popular wood bat in the MLB
Con’s
- Heavier
- A littler hard to control
- Less forgiving
Ash
The more flexible and forgiving of all the other types of wood. Players say this type of wood gives them the ability to “feel” the ball while hitting.
Most traditional baseball bats used to be made of ash, that was until maple gained popularity. However, many baseball players still prefer to use wooden bats made out of ash. Ash is much more flexible than maple. This flexibility is thought to increase bat speed and it tends to be more forgiving as well.
Here are a few strengths and weaknesses of ash:
Pro’s
- More flexible
- Helps create better bat speed
- More forgiving
Con’s
- Tend to flake and splinter over time
- Not as durable
Birch
A great option for those who want the aspects of both maple and ash bats. It’s lighter and more flexible than maple but still has a lot of pop.
Another popular wood used in baseball bats is birch. Birch is a softer wood which causes it to be more flexible. This flexibility is more forgiving when hitting the ball of the end of the bat and it also helps generate more bat speed.
The downside to birch is that it tends to dent and requires a “break-in” period in order for the bat to harden and reach optimal performance.
Here are a few strengths and weaknesses of birch:
Pro’s
- Softer wood (more flexibility)
- Better bat speed
- More forgiving
- Won’t flake like ash bats
Con’s
- Less durable
- Tends to Dent
- Requires a “break-in” period for optimal performance
- Not as hard as other woods
- May slightly decrease ball exit speeds
Other Types of Wood Used for Baseball Bats
Although maple, ash and birch are probably the three most popular types of wood used in baseball bats there are others as well.
Here is a list of some of the other types of wood that can be found in wood bats:
Bamboo
Bamboo is technically not a wood; it’s considered a grass. The process of making bamboo baseball bats is much different than making traditional wooden bats. Bamboo is very durable and super strong.
However, it’s not an approved wooden bat to use in Major League Baseball. Some recreational leagues will allow the use of bamboo bats but they typically require a BBCOR certification marking.
Hickory
You will also see some wooden bats being made out of hickory. Hickory bats are the heaviest and hardest of all of the type of wood used in baseball bats. They essentially have zero flex and you can feel the ball very little while hitting.
Hickory bats used to be the most popular wood bats in the early days of baseball, but have since been replaced by maple, ash and birch wood bats. The fact that they are heavier and not as forgiving is why they are not typically used as often.
Composite Wood
Another interesting type of wood that bats are made out of is composite wood. Composite wood bats are one of the most durable. They are basically a blend of two or more types of wood. Allowing you to use the different strengths of wood into a single baseball bat.
Composite wood bats are great options for wood bat leagues or other baseball leagues that require bats to be BBCOR certified. However, some leagues like the MLB won’t allow the use of composite wood bats.
(Source: justbats.com)
How to Choose a Wood Bat?
If you are in the market for a new wood bat understanding what to look for is extremely important and will ensure you make the right decision.
Here are a few things to consider when deciding on what type of wood bat is right for you:
- Size
- Wood Type
- League Approval
- Weight & Length
- Personal Preference
For more details on selecting the right wood bat for you check out this article: How to Buy a Wood Baseball Bat
Wood Bat FAQ
How long do wood bats last? Simple put, how long a wood bat lasts really depends on how well they are taken care of and how they are used.
Wood bats can easily last a long time but they can also break your first time up if you take a ball off the end of the bat or handle.
To make your wood bats last longer keep them out of extreme temperatures, use only real baseballs in batting cages and don’t hit the ball with the side of the bat that has a label. This is generally the weakest part of the wood bat.
Do wood bats lose their pop? Wood bats won’t lose their pop until they eventually break or become cracked, broken or damaged. The amount of pop a bat has should stay the same and in some cases even increase. Typically, the more a bat is used the more compressed the wood becomes creating more pop.
What side of the wood bat do you hit with? While using wood bats you want the ball to hit the hardest part of the wood. Logos or branding is typically placed on the weakest side of the wood so that when you position your bat in your hand correctly, you will be hitting the ball on the hardest part of the barrel.
Why are bamboo wooden bats illegal? Bamboo wooden bats are not allowed to be used in Major League Baseball because they are considered to be composite and not wooden. For this reason, they are not allowed to be used at some baseball levels.
What wood bats do MLB players use? Major league baseball players primarily use maple, ash, and birch wood bats. About 90% of Major League baseball players use maple bats. However, the other type of wood bats are becoming more popular.
Final Thoughts
The feeling you get when you drive a ball deep over the fence with a wooden bat is like no other. It doesn’t matter if you are in the little leagues, high school or just playing for fun on the weekends.
Wood bats are for everyone at every skill level and are something that every baseball player should experience.
I hope that you have found this quick guide on the different types of wood baseball bats to be insightful and that it helps you select the best bat for you.