Ok, so we’ve all heard the term “Drop 10” (or -10), “Drop 5” etc., and it sounds great when we’re talking to the other parents making it seem like we are really knowledgeable about all the machinations that to into the performance enhancing bats or PEBs that they use in club and travel ball. Drops are even commonplace in USA bats now. So for those of you that didn’t know or were pretending that you did, here is the simplest explanation of how a drop works.
Bat weights are measured in ounces and are tied to your bats drop weight, the difference between your bat length and its weight. This is calculated by taking the weight and subtracting the length, for example a 32-inch bat that weighs 29 ounces has a -3 drop. Each league you play in will have its own set range of allowable drop weights but a general trend is that as you move up to more advanced leagues, the drop difference will fall. Whatever your league’s range, the more experienced hitters with smoother swings should use lower drops resulting in a heavier bat with more power. New, less experienced players should opt for lighter bats which allow for more control through your swing.
If you’re planning on playing baseball know that there are several leagues at many levels with varying rules for bats. Generally, baseball bats are between 29 and 34 inches with drops starting at -12 for younger players and ending with -3 in high school and college.