Swing weight refers to the feel of the bat. The feel of the bat is determined by where the weight concentration lies. The two types of bats are balanced and end-loaded.

When deciding on a baseball bat, it is important to know the difference between a balanced bat and an end-loaded bat. A balanced baseball bat is going to have a perfectly balanced weight distribution throughout the entirety of the bat. An end-loaded baseball bat will have extra weight added to the end portion of the barrel. You could also think of an end-loaded bat being “top heavy”.

If you are looking for a bat that will help increase your bat speed, we would recommend checking out a balanced bat. These are best for hitters that are looking to make solid contact and hit the ball to all parts of the field.

Typically, balanced bats are more commonly seen being used by contact hitters with a smaller build. This is because they are fairly light in weight which helps hitters get the bat through the zone much easier. Therefore, if you are more of a contact hitter with a short, quick swing, a lighter, balanced bat may be best for you.

Pros

1. Lighter swing weight

2. Can help increase bat speed

3. Can be used by any style of hitter

4. No “top-heavy” feel, perfectly balanced weight

5. More durable than most bats

Cons

1. Can lose out on power

2. May lose distance on balls hit

End-loaded baseball bats are perfect for power hitters that are looking to get some extra weight behind their swing. The added weight to the end of the bat can help stronger hitters get more power on contact.

Typically, end-loaded bats are seen more prevalently in the 3, 4, and 5 spot in the lineup. This is because the majority of hitters in this section of the lineup have much bigger builds and have powerful, home run hitting swings. Therefore, if you are a power hitter with a stronger build, a heavier end-loaded bat may be best for you.

Pros

1. Provides increase power on contact

2. Helps increase distance on batted balls

Cons

1. Much heavier feeling than balanced bats (may be tough for some players to use)

2. May decrease bat speed

3. More likely to break on miss hits

Also known as a bat's length-to-weight ratio or a bat's minus (-) number, i.e. -3, -5, -10, etc.

Defined as a negative number denoting the amount of ounces the bat weighs less than the amount of inches its length. Basically stated, it's
the difference between the weight of the bat minus the length of the bat.