BBCOR vs. wood bats

What BBCOR means

BBCOR is the standard most high school and college leagues use for non-wood bats (metal or composite). It limits how much “trampoline” a barrel can have, so certified bats perform closer to wood than older metal bats did. They’re still more forgiving than wood and usually cost a lot more.

How wood is different

• Smaller sweet spot: wood rewards squaring up the ball. Mis-hits sting and go nowhere.
• Weight: wood bats are heavier for their length. Most adult wood bats land around -2 or -3; ours are around -2.
• They break: wood can crack, especially on mis-hits and in cold weather.
• Price: a new BBCOR bat often runs $200–$400. An Outlaw wood bat is $89.99.

Why train with wood

Because wood doesn’t hide a bad swing, hitters use it for BP and cage work to build barrel control. Plenty of summer and adult leagues are wood-only, too.

Is wood legal in my league?

Most leagues that allow BBCOR also allow wood, but rules vary by league, age and tournament. Check your league’s current rules before you buy.

Picking a first wood bat

Start with a balanced model like the 271 or the forgiving 110 (youth: Youth 271 or Youth 110). Coming from metal? Many hitters go about an inch shorter in wood. See the sizing guide.