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Once you have a baseball bat, you are probably itching to get out there on the field and start swinging it around. The last thought on your mind will be how long that baseball bat will last before it needs to be replaced. However, it is important that you think about that. The better you treat the baseball bat during the early days, the more life you will get from it. Let our experts explain.
So, how long does a wooden baseball bat last? Honestly, there is no definitive answer to that question. It is going to be highly dependent on how it is used, and how the bat is cared for. Some baseball bats can cope with hundreds of balls, some thousands and some, if cared for improperly, may deal with a couple of balls before ‘giving up’.
Here, our experts want to give you a few tips on ensuring that the baseball bat lasts as long as possible. This means that you will need to be replacing your baseball bat far less often.
How Long Does a Wooden Baseball Bat Last?
It is highly dependent on the bat, plus how you are using it. A baseball bat that is dealing with a fast pitch after fast pitch probably wouldn’t last anywhere near as long as a wooden bat used in High School amateur baseball.
Some baseball bats could easily last thousands of hits of the ball. Most are probably going to be in the hundreds mark. There are a couple that may last just a few swings. However, the latter is very much in the minority. This is often down to a flaw in the bat or an incorrect swing.
The thing is that a lot of people believe that baseball bats last a whole lot longer than they actually do. This is because they are unable to spot when a baseball bat is on its ‘last legs’. For many, the only time a baseball bat is broken is when it has physically broken up. Trust us. This is something that is going to happen if you play with a dead bat. In fact, an old bat could easily snap in half from a fastpitch.
Perhaps the biggest telltale sign that the bat is dead will be small chips or cracks appearing on the bat. If there is a crack in a wooden baseball bat, then it is effectively useless and will need to be replaced. You should not play with it because it is liable to break on any swing you take.
Interestingly, unlike composite or aluminum baseball bats, wood will not lose its ability to hit well. This means that your hits should be just as good from the day that you bought the bat up until the day that it completely dies. Although, you should, hopefully, never be using the baseball bat up until the day that it dies.
How Can You Make a Wooden Baseball Bat Last Longer?
Your baseball bat is eventually going to die. No bat will last forever. There are a few things that you can do to extend the lifespan of your favorite, most expensive bat, though.
The first is to minimize the number of swings you are taking with the bat. If you have a favorite bat, then you should only be using it for games. You should be using a practice bat like this for your practice sessions. After all, during practice sessions, it isn’t uncommon to take dozens and dozens of balls. Your bat would be dead within months like this. Opt for cheaper bats for practice. It is more affordable to replace them.
You will also want to make sure that the baseball bat is stored in proper conditions. This means that it should not be too hot or too cold. This is probably one of the quickest ways to reduce the lifespan of the baseball bat.
Of course, you will also want to ensure that you take the time to purchase a quality baseball bat to begin with. Quality baseballs will have been constructed for strength. They will have selected the right wood and the right grain. This means that they will last a lot longer.
Related Questions
Do composite or aluminum baseball bats last longer than wooden bats?
Yes. The material is a little bit tougher. This means that they will both likely last a little bit longer than wooden baseball bats. However, you will still need to ensure that you treat the baseball bat well in order to extend the maximum service life.
Should you use a wooden baseball bat over composite bats?
This is a matter of personal preference. There are a lot of customization options available for wooden baseball bats, which means you have a greater chance of finding the bat that is right for you. However, most people that use wooden bats only do so because it is in their league rules. Most people will just opt for composite or aluminum alloy baseball bats.
See Also:
How Long Does an Inning Last in Baseball on Average?
How Long Does A Baseball Ball Last?
What is L10 in Baseball? (Here’s The Answer)
