In the early days there were no set parameters for dimension and makeup of a baseball bat. Baseball bats were available in varying lengths and sizes. They were all made out of wood. The type of wood the bats were made out of, and their weight were heavily dependent on who made the bat. Bats, by and large were made by their user, the batter. The batter himself would make his own bat. Bats were not made in mass quantities using templates and a set type of wood.

Although this makes for a very unique history, making bats in this way really did little for the sport. Between 1859 and 1869 several rules were introduced to the baseball rule books that restricted both the length and width of a baseball bat. These rules have largely stayed the same over the last 150 years of baseball history.

Although the rules restricting the dimensions of a baseball bat have not changed, how baseball bats are made, the material they are made from has changed considerably. New techniques used to make baseball bats and new materials to make baseball bats have made them lighter and stronger than any of the early made bats could ever have been. Can You imagine how many homeruns Joe DeMagio or Babe Ruth could have made had they had modern bats.

Bat length width and other characteristics are strictly regulated by rules. But these restrictions have not stopped manufacturers from creating a dizzying array of choices. How, do you choose the right bat for you? How do you know which one is right for you and will help improve your game? There are a confusing number of choices. But there are a few rules or thumb that you can follow that will help you out.

First things first. If you are choosing a bat for someone that is younger, you need to realize that you will want to buy a bat every year; or more often for that matter, if the child grows quickly. Beyond that there are a few set rules that can be followed for all age groups and sizes.

1.Aluminum and composite bats are allowed in little league through college. But, wood is mandatory in professional baseball. So, keep this in mind if you are buying a bat for a child. You may want to stick to the wood.

2.The taller you are the longer the bat should be. There is no tried and true rule here. It is about comfort and eye hand coordination. You will have to try several different lengths to find which suits you best.

3.Weight is also dependent on a personal preference. To a certain extent that is. Although fancy designs and cryogenics have been used to create lighter bats there are limitations on what you can do to make a bat lighter. Obviously, the lighter the bat is the faster you can hit the ball and, at least theoretically, the farther it will knock the ball.

4.Flexible handle. To know whether or not you can use a flexible grip you need to consult your league rules.

5.Do not let price fool you. Just because a bat is not very expensive is poorly made and vice versa.

How you choose your bat is a matter of feel and the rules of the league that you play in. The key factor you need to keep in mind is how comfortable you are with the bat. Every batter has a unique swing. With that in mind each batter will have unique needs in a bat. If you are a serious player do not buy a bat with the idea in mind that it should last several years. With each hit a bat endures it reduces its predictability. And you want the bat you decide to use to be predictable.