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[Rob580]

Newbery makes exceptional bats. But not everyone can hit big with a light bat. It's a myth.

And not everybody can hit it a long way with a heavy bat. Saying 'big hitters use heavy bats' is an incorrect generalisation.

[Northern monkey]

i think how far you can hit a ball has so many variables,,,its certainly not down to the weight of a bat.

i would guess at speed of the ball, swing speed of the bat would be far more important to actual distance.
look how far a baseball can be hit with a baseball bat

[InternalTraining]

And not everybody can hit it a long way with a heavy bat. Saying 'big hitters use heavy bats' is an incorrect generalisation.

Law of physics change because of batsman's technique? No matter how good a technique a batsman has, there is an upper limit to the distance he can achieve with his "light bat".

To make this discussion complete, I suggest we include these factors:

- Volume of the bat
- Swing weight
- Swell position
- Center of percussion
- Anything else?

What do forums bat makers think about this weight debate? How much do these factors impact a bat's performance/distance?

I just don't buy this willy-nilly "light bats with technique hit ball over pavillion" argument.

[InternalTraining]

i think how far you can hit a ball has so many variables,,,its certainly not down to the weight of a bat.

i would guess at speed of the ball, swing speed of the bat would be far more important to actual distance.
look how far a baseball can be hit with a baseball bat

1. Base ball hitters are, if not bigger, as big as Gayle
2. Pros pitch a ball between 80-95 mph regularly.
3. They also have very high miss rates.
4. Not every hit makes to the fence.

[Rob580]

I get all your points there, but whilst there is a finite distance you can hit the ball with a 'light bat' this finite distance is way further than is necessary to clear any boundary. You can't hit a 12!

Saying you need a heavy bat to hit it a long way is still nonsense. The number of International players using bats under 2.10 is a lot higher than those using over 2.10. Surely that tells you something, no?

[InternalTraining]

I get all your points there, but whilst there is a finite distance you can hit the ball with a 'light bat' this finite distance is way further than is necessary to clear any boundary. You can't hit a 12!

Agreed.

Saying you need a heavy bat to hit it a long way is still nonsense. The number of International players using bats under 2.10 is a lot higher than those using over 2.10. Surely that tells you something, no?

There is a video of KP, Mahela, and Warne discussing batting. It's a sky sports video where they talk about hitting big with power (KP) and scoring runs with finesse (Mahela) and he makes a point that he relies on outfield to get him the boundaries as in fast outfields. This is Mahela we are talking, king of timing.

[Neon Cricket]

To join the argument;

I'm 6ft 3 and regularly go to the gym, I could comfortably use a 3lb bat if desired (I have in the past). I've used a 2lb 8oz in matches for the last few seasons and have been top of the 6 hitters for the league both seasons.

It really doesn't make much difference IMO. Having a heavier bat means a slower bat speed, having a lighter bat means a higher bat speed - if you use the middle both hit the ball far enough!

[peristocle]

Agree with the above.

[InternalTraining]

To join the argument;

I'm 6ft 3 and regularly go to the gym, I could comfortably use a 3lb bat if desired (I have in the past). I've used a 2lb 8oz in matches for the last few seasons and have been top of the 6 hitters for the league both seasons.

It really doesn't make much difference IMO. Having a heavier bat means a slower bat speed, having a lighter bat means a higher bat speed - if you use the middle both hit the ball far enough!

That's exactly my point: you are a big guy who is using a light bat and hitting big.

What we need is a thin, short guy who does not workout in a gym who is hitting it big with a 2-5 to 2-9 bat. That would be a great example of light bat Jedi.

[Chad]

I moved from a 2.8-2.9 to a 2.13 for Winter nets, and found that I didn't have to try overhit the ball. Helped a lot with my technique, and I have since then moved down to a 2.9-2.11 weight range. I think it's all down to preference. Big hitters don't all use heavy bats, I think Warner uses a 2.9, and Mal Loye used a 2.6, which he used to hit big slog sweep sixes off the likes of Brett Lee. It's entirely down the batsman's technique and preferences, no, the technique doesn't change the laws of physics, but the batsman themselves should dictate the ideal weight of bat they use.

Going heavier then down a bit worked for me, but won't work for everyone. If you can't get the ball off the square, I'd suggest getting some throwdowns, not trying to hit too hard, getting your timing right and making sure that the bat isn't a plank BEFORE deciding to change weights. It should become a bit more obvious what's not working for you after hitting a few buckets.


Pros and cons of heavy bats:
Generally more forgiving, which adds a little extra punch to the shot
Will generally last a bit longer
--------
Will wear you down quicker
Lower batspeed for those last second adjustments
Harder to sell on


Pros and cons of lighter bats:
Quicker batspeed, allowing for good adjustment and easier mobility for deft late cuts and flicks
Less wearing out of the arms, which will allow for sustained use over a long innings
Easier to sell on
--------
Generally more prone to breakages
Generally not quite as forgiving as heavier bats, so can lack that extra punch a heavier bat can offer.


I've probably missed out something obvious, but as you can see, there's not really anything in particular to stands out in favour of a heavier or a lighter bat. I could never have as much success as someone like Smiley or Manoramic on here with the 3lb bats they use, nor could I use a 2.6 bat as effectively as some folk on here do.

If it feels good in the hands, isn't too heavy or too light and taps up well, as a general rule of thumb, it should be fine for you to use.

[Seniorplayer]

My thoughts are a 10 percent increase in your normal bat weight would enable you to  hit the ball further but only if the bat is swung at the same speed as your normal bat and there is no loss of timing but if a slower swing is used due to the increase in the weight of the bat it will not therefore your normal  lighter bat would hit the ball further due to your bat
Speed  being faster.

[Chad]

Lords pavillion hit has been discussed and there were two versions of the story on the bat weight used.

Newbery makes exceptional bats. But not everyone can hit big with a light bat. It's a myth.

Not everyone can hit big full stop, never mind with a heavy or a light bat. Not everyone tries to hit sixes, some are happy to dab it around.

My thoughts are a 10 percent increase in your normal bat weight would enable you to  hit the ball further but only if the bat is swung at the same speed as your normal bat and there is no loss of timing but if a slower swing is used due to the increase in the weight of the bat it will not therefore your normal  lighter bat would hit the ball further due to your bat
Speed  being faster.

10% is a fair amount though, that's 4 ounces if you use a 2.8. It's about finding the balance, although I understand not everyone buys bats like crazy and tries them all out. Stick to a bat, and if it's not a plank and you can wield it efficiently, then you should be able to score some runs and get used to it over time.

[procricket]

Law of physics change because of batsman's technique? No matter how good a technique a batsman has, there is an upper limit to the distance he can achieve with his "light bat".

To make this discussion complete, I suggest we include these factors:

- Volume of the bat
- Swing weight
- Swell position
- Center of percussion
- Anything else?

What do forums bat makers think about this weight debate? How much do these factors impact a bat's performance/distance?

I just don't buy this willy-nilly "light bats with technique hit ball over pavillion" argument.

Will ask streaky to comment but by and large it a simple equation so many people over think things

Listen to @Seniorplayer he spot on

[crictech]

If everything else is equal; bat length, bat speed, bat rotation, ball, ball speed, bounce, impact position on bat etc a heavier bat will hit the ball further.

Most heavy bats are not swung as fast as lighter bats so it ends to even out.

The main difference between an amateur player and a pro is the timing. When a ball hits too high or too low or off center towards one or other edge then energy is lost.

My advise would be determine where on the bat you naturally try hit the ball. Find a bat that has a profile that suits your technique

good luck

[Wickets-then-runs]

I think the fellow that hit the ball over Lords pavilion was Albert Trott (a relative of Jonathan's I believe) around the start of the 1900's (if my memory from my Lords tour a few years ago serves me right). Imagine how far it would have gone with today's bats... Lol