Baseball Sport

Usually, baseball bats are no more than 2.75 inches in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches (1067 mm) in length. It typically weighs no more than 36 ounces (1 kg).

Although using a stick to hit a ball might seem a simple task, the bat is a complex object. It is carved or constructed very carefully to allow for a quick balanced swing, while providing power. The bat is divided into several regions. The barrel is the thick part of the bat, where the bat is meant to hit the ball. The part of the barrel best for hitting the ball with, according to construction and swinging style, is often called the sweet spot. The end of the barrel is not part of the sweet spot, and is simply called the tip or end of the bat. The barrel narrows, and becomes the handle. The handle is very thin, so that batters can comfortably set the bat in their fingers. Sometimes, especially on metal bats, the handle is wrapped with a rubber or cloth grip. Finally, next to the handle is the knob of the bat, a wider piece that keeps the bat from sliding out of a batter's hands. Over the centuries, the baseball bat's form has become more refined. During the 19th century, many shapes were experimented with, as well as handle designs. Today, the baseball bat is much more uniform in design.

"Lumber" is a sometimes-used slang term for a bat, especially when wielded by a particularly good batter.

The drop of a baseball bat is its length in inches minus its weight in ounces. For example, if a bat is 33" long and it weighs 30 ounces, then the drop is -3.

Professional baseball bats used by Major League Baseball players. Many historic game-used bats are on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, including Roger Maris's 61st Home Run game-used bat and Mark McGwire's 65th, 66th, 67th, 68th, 69th, and 70th Home Run game-used bats. They have become a very popular collectible for sports fans.