Why spend your money on birch wood baseball bats? Start with their flexibility. These bats are springier than their counterparts made of ash or maple. Consequently, this allows them to impart more ‘whip’ to their shots, thereby forcing the ball to cover more distance in the air.
Another great attribute of birch bats is that they don’t flake. Additionally, they are more forgiving when dealing with mis-hits and aren’t susceptible to falling apart due to normal wear and tear. Their wood grain’s nature means you won’t have to worry about these bats breaking down with repeated usage.
On top of everything else, these bats give you the best of both worlds. They accomplish this by providing the flex of ash and the hardness of maple. Finally, the fact that they are lightweight means athletes could swing these bats through the hitting zone without straining their forearms and also gain more swing speed.
Here is the Quick List of Best Birch Wood Baseball Bats
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Table Of Contents
Best Birch Wood Baseball Bats – Buying Guide
Two types of baseball players will consult this article. The first are those who know everything about them and are here to make an informed decision. They’d make the purchase after going through the reviews section.
Such readers are in a minority. The majority wants to first know about the features that separate the best birch wood baseball bats from the riffraff. Only after they have this info will they move forward to make an informed decision. And that’s where this section will help them out.
Weight
Selecting the right weight of a baseball bat is a matter of personal preference. Players with weak forearms might want to choose a lighter bat that they can easily swing through the strike zone. Professionals, meanwhile, may prefer a heavier option for maximum power.
That is why we recommend that you try out bats of different weights. Doing so would help you decide whether you fall into the category of batters who prefer swing speed over shot power. Or whether your forearms have the strength to swipe heavy bats with ease.
Drop Weight
You cannot see the bat’s weight in isolation. Its drop weight – the difference between the bat’s weight and its length – also has an impact on how heavy or lightweight the bat will be. That’s because a bat measuring 30’’ long and with a drop weight of -3 will weigh 27 ounces.
That is to say that the lower the drop weight, the heavier the bat will be. Youngsters often prefer bats with a drop weight of anywhere from -5 to -7. Professional wood bats are typically -3. You need to look at both its drop weight as well as actual weight when deciding a baseball bat’s weight.
Length
Choosing the right length birch wood bat is crucial for your game. Bats that are too large for your liking will limit your shot selection – those that are too small won’t let you cover the entire strike zone. Which is why you should swing bats of different lengths to find out which size suits you.
Here are the most popular bat lengths by age group:
- Between 5 and 7 years: 24’’ – 26’’
- From 8 to 10 years: 26’’ – 29’’
- Between 11 and 14 years: 30’’ – 32’’
- From 15 to 17 years: 32’’ – 33’’
- 17 years+: 33’’ and above
Handle Diameter
Multiple factors have an impact on the bat’s swing speed and overall durability. One of them is its handle diameter. Bats with a smaller handle diameter are easier to hold for those with smaller hands, but they are also more prone to breaking after mis-hits.
Those with a larger diameter handle, meanwhile, suit those with larger hands. They are also less prone to breaking but might not allow you to swing the bat at greater speeds. That’s precisely the reason why power hitters go for a larger handle diameter and contact hitters go for a thinner handle diameter.
Knob
Birch wood baseball bats come with one of the following knobs:
- Standard: Such knobs have a slight bevel at the exact spot where the bat meets the batter’s bottom hand.
- Tapered: These knobs are also known as ‘flared’ knobs in the sense that they allow the batter to grip more material.
- Cone: Flared knobs that have no bevel are termed as cone knobs. That is to say that they’re smooth from top to bottom.
- Axe: Their oblong design is similar to that of an axe handle. These knobs have gained fame for their ability to force the hitter to grip the bat correctly.[/wpsm_toggle]
Sweet spot
That area of the bat which transfers maximum power to the ball is its sweet spot. Balls which go into the air after hitting the sweet spot cover the maximum distance possible. Your hands will also sting less when the ball hits the sweet spot – as then the bat won’t transfer many vibrations to the handle.
Inexpensive and cheaply made bats have a smaller sweet spot. Serious players don’t prefer them and you also need to steer well clear of them. Check out the reviews of any bat you’re looking at to make sure that players who are already using it are satisfied with the width of its sweet spot.
Swing Weight
All birch wood baseball bats offer one of two swing weights:
End-loaded
End-loaded bats have maximum weight concentrated at the tip of their barrel. They are also known as ‘bottom-heavy’ bats and are famous for producing a ‘whip-like’ swing. These bats are also well known for regularly producing powerful shots. That’s where the good news end.
Since they concentrate their weight at the bottom, these bats are difficult to swing, especially if you’re an amateur with weak forearms. Players who are still learning the ropes of baseball might find it hard to control these bats.
- Slam the ball with greater power
- Hit balls cover more distance
- Long lasting and durable
- Difficult to swing and control for amateurs
Balanced
Balanced bats are an antithesis to their wood-loaded counterparts. They have their weight evenly distributed throughout the barrel and are easy to swing, even for amateurs. That’s why you can count on them to help you hit through the entire strike zone.
These models also give perfect ‘initial speed’ and are a must-have for newbies who are still learning the basics of the game. Their only downside is that these bats don’t hit the ball as powerfully as their end-loaded peers – as they prefer swing speed over power.
- Incredibly light swing weight
- Huge bat swing speed
- Are perfectly balanced
- Impart less power on a hit ball
One-Piece Vs Two-Piece Bats
Here’s how they differ from each other:
One-piece bats
One continuous piece of wood stretches from the knob of their handle to their barrel’s tip. This is what makes these bats more rigid and prevents them from giving much flex. And you can count on them to transfer maximum power to the hit ball and become a must-have option for power hitters.
That doesn’t mean that everything about these bats is hunky-dory. The fact that they are made of ‘one piece’ means that there’s nothing isolating the vibrations generated in the barrel from making their way into the handle and subjecting your hands to ‘bat sting’.
- Generate more power
- Hit the ball further
- Less flex through the hitting zone
- More bat sting
Two-piece bats
Two-piece bats have their barrel and handle made of separate pieces of wood, which are then joined. This bonding allows them to create more bat ‘whip’ and flex more upon hitting the ball. These bats also generate enormous swing speeds and save your hands on the handle from bat sting.
Contact hitters and others who don’t like much ‘feedback’ often prefer two-piece bats. But they aren’t the first choice of power hitters who want their willow to hit the ball further. As the added flexibility of these bats does harm their power.
- More bat speed
- Less bat sting
- Best for contact hitters
- Generate less power
EE1 PRO SELECT STOCK | EDUARDO ESCOBAR
The EE1 Pro is one of those bats that won’t stop at hitting the ball out of the diamond. It boasts a lightweight construction to let you swing it through the strike zone with ease. Also on offer are other features to take this model’s utility to the next level.
Why choose it? Start with its balanced construction. It provides the perfect ‘initial’ speed and makes this bat a cinch to swing, even for newbies with weak forearms. There is also minimal ‘bat sting’ that this model will subject your hands to. You can, therefore, practice for hours.
Then comes this model’s flared knob. It will keep this bat in your hand and prevent it from slipping out in the midst of high-powered shots. This feature is also great for batters with strong forearms, who like swinging hard at the balls coming in.
Sizes and colors: The EE1 Pro is available in four sizes and three colors. Its sizes range from 31-inches to 34’’ inches. The color range give you the option to either opt for a brown handle/black barrel or an all brown bat. Or you can go for a cherry handle/navy barrel.
- 30-day warranty
- Has a flared handle
- Is handcrafted from yellow birch
- Provides great pop
- Sweet spot could have been bigger
Final Thought: Here’s one of those birch wood baseball bats that offer high-end features at a price that won’t leave a dent in your bank account. Which is why it gets our nod of approval.
EI11C PRO SELECT STOCK | ENDER INCIARTE
Unimpressed with what the EE1 Pro has to offer? The EI11C Pro might then be an option worth your consideration. This affordably priced birch wood bat doesn’t cost a ton but still offer all the features you may want after going through our detailed buying guide.
Why choose it? Begin with its denser log. It taps into the strength of the hitter’s forearms to ensure that the ball travels a long distance after contract. But it doesn’t stop at that. The high-density log also provides great pop and also has a positive impact on its durability.
The fact that this bat uses a denser log doesn’t mean it’s only for strong players. The reason we’re so confident of this claim is because of its balanced construction – one which allows batters to swing this model through the strike zone easily.
Sizes and colors: Here’s one aspect where the EI11C Pro is similar to the EE1 Pro. It is also available in four sizes – 31-inch, 32-inch, 33-inch, 34-inch – and three colors. But the color range is different. What you have here is light charcoal/matte black, clear varnished/black and all-black options.
- Huge pop
- Ultra-durable
- -3 weight ratio
- Only available in dull colors
Final Thought: The EI11C Pro comes with a 30-day warranty, boasts a balanced construction and is also ultra-durable. What more can you ask for!
B-1 BASEBALL BAT
Hoping to wrap your fingers around a bat used by pros? Then you’ll find plenty to like about the B-1 baseball bat. It was dropped from professional orders due to aesthetic blemishes but still has all the features that once made it a darling of pros.
Why choose it? Corners haven’t been cut to keep this bat’s asking price low. You can verify this claim by looking at this model’s material of construction. Veterans know that yellow birch is as good material of construction as they come, mainly because its durability is second to none.
Yet another property of yellow birch which we adore is its flexibility. One which allows the batter to generate more bat speed and create more whip. The softness has also made this bat more forgiving when striking the ball near the trademark or off the end of the bat.
Sizes and colors: Most other bats in this review offer four sizes. The B-1 sweetens the deal by offering six of them. Its size range starts from 31-inches and goes all the way to 34.5-inches, thereby making this bat an option for young players and pros alike.
- Available in six sizes
- Creates more whip
- Lets you generate more bat speed
- Doesn’t come with a warranty
Final Thought: Do you have any complaints about the fact that this model doesn’t come with a warranty? If you don’t, then you’d do well to take advantage of its below-average price.
OVERLOAD TRAINING BASEBALL BAT
Are you still learning the ropes of baseball? Looking for a bat that could help improve your swing and take your confidence to the next level? Then you’ll find plenty to like about the stylish overload training baseball bat.
Why choose it? Most bats that you see in this review offer multiple sizes. This one hits the ball out of the park by offering multiple ratios. You read that right – the BSTRONG lets you choose your optimal weight ratio from 0 to +3. Go through our buying guide if you need help making the decision.
Yet another feature of this bat that impressed us was the visibility of its sweet spot. BESTRONG has painted it in a hard-to-miss yellow color to help newbies identify the spot where they want the ball to land, thereby helping them make the most of their training sessions.
Sizes and colors: Here’s one area where this bat disappoints. It is available in a single size – the one you saw above – and doesn’t offer any other color option as well. But it makes up for this shortcoming by offering four weight ratios.
- Lets you select weight ratio
- Sweet spot is painted in yellow
- Has a glossy black finish
- Available in only one size
Final Thought: Whether you want to improve a specific part of your swing or just looking to train harder, the BSTRONG heavy training baseball bat is a must-have.
JL20R PRO SELECT STOCK
Did you come here in search of an ultra-durable birch wood bat? One that would make its extended shelf-life count by helping you on the pitch? Then you’ll find the JL20R Pro Select Stock an extremely hard-to-ignore option.
like it. One is its end-loaded construction that, by concentrating its weight at the tip of the barrel, has empowered it to hit those shots in the aftermath of which the ball is found in the stands.
Then comes its tapered knob. Its slanted edges engage more of your fist and your fingers and increase the surface area of the bat that will come into contact with your hand. This, as you might guess, will make it easy for you to grip the bat. It also lowers the chances of the model slipping out of your grip.
Sizes and colors: On top of everything mentioned above, the JL20R further sweetens the deal by offering four sizes (31’’ to 34’’) and three colors.
- Comes with a 30-day warranty
- Has a tapered knob
- Right choice for power hitters
- Not the best for contact hitters
Final Thought: End-loaded bats like the JL20R Select Stock are a dream-come-true for power hitters. They complement the power generated by your forearms with their own strength and help you produce those airborne shots that the audience loves to admire.
Honorable Mentions
Here are the bats that also deserve your attention because of their high-end features:
Conclusion
Multiple features make birch wood baseball bats a must-have for beginners and pros alike. These bats are incredibly flexible and allow the batter to impart more speed to their shots. They also create more whip and tend to be forgiving when dealing with mis-hits.
Such models are also durable. The nature of birch is such that its different grains won’t flake apart, in contrast to those of ash or maple. That means that even after repeated contact with the ball in the same area, they won’t fall apart.
On top of everything else, birch wood baseball bats are incredibly stylish and will add an appeal of their own to other gear you might be wearing. They, therefore, serve as a treat, both for the batter on the pitch and for the audience in the stands.
