Topic: First Bats for children (Read 4452 times)

dynamiccoins · « **on:** June 23, 2015, 01:19:06 PM »

Hi,

My two sons have started going to some cricket sessions and I am now at the stage of needing to buy them some kit a bat included.

I had a quick look around but as someone who doesn't play cricket I wondered if anyone had any advise on a first purchase for them. Is it worth paying extra for English willow at this stage - they play with a mixture of hat and soft balls. I am wary of buying too cheap as I think its false economy but at the same time I suspect it would be a waste of money to pay too much.

They will both need size 3.

Any suggestions or help would be great. I live near Colts Cricket and Fordham Sports so was thinking of popping down there at the weekend bu thought I would see what the experts thought first.

Thanks alot for any help

csnew · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2015, 01:46:53 PM »

Probably worth taking a look on ebay. Can pick up cheaper junior bats than going to a retailer.
Doubt most of them have too much use either

VKS · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2015, 02:10:30 PM »

Visiting a reputed retailer such as Fordham would be advisable. They will be able to size up your sons so as to see what the correct bat size is for them.

Then they will be able to let you try out a variety of Kashmir and English willow bats. You can then make a decision as to what suits you best.

eBay may be cheaper, but you get what you pay for and I don't think you'll get the same quality of advice and expertise.

WalkingWicket37 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2015, 02:17:32 PM »

Probably worth going to a store so they can wave the bats around.

I think it was Paul @ItsJustCricket did a video showing that kids size bats are inconsistent between brands.

liscon12 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2015, 02:25:11 PM »

Quote from: WalkingWicket37 on June 23, 2015, 02:17:32 PM

Probably worth going to a store so they can wave the bats around.

I think it was Paul @ItsJustCricket did a video showing that kids size bats are inconsistent between brands.

He did indeed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQL4w1vG3nE

dynamiccoins · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2015, 02:46:48 PM »

Thanks for all the prompt replies and an interesting video.

I have to say I was expecting a load of second hand it on Ebay but there isn't much and as noted I'd rather spend a little more and use a supplier who can give me advice.

Julesoak · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2015, 03:40:25 PM »

I think the most important thing is the weight. I see too many kids on a Sunday morning using bats that are far too big and heavy for them.

When I took my 7yo to get a bat this year I blindfolded him (looked a bit odd I'll grant you) and made him choose a bat on the pick up only. It's natural for them to go for looks/sponsorship so thought this was the best way.

He still got a Kook mind you but it's a fine little bat!

Gurujames · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2015, 04:10:27 PM »

I run kids cricket at my club and a fair few of them turn up with size 3 Kashmir willow bats. there are 2 reasons for this
A. Sport direct bats seems to start at size 3
B. Kashmir willow is cheaper.
however, these bats tend to be quite heavy, particularly bottom heavy.
At this age they don't need a 'gun' of a bat, but something light and preferably something with a thin handle to match their small hands.
When I was looking for a size 2 for my daughter I went to Somerset county sports and there they had a good selection of kids bats. the Spartan and SS were particularly good as although they were Kashmir, they were relatively light and had thin handles. They were priced at �28.50 so I looked online to see if this was a good price, I couldn't find any comparables. At the time a second hand English willow size 2 bat came up on eBay so I bought that instead. It is a good bat, significantly lighter and responds well too.
I got a gun of a size 4 GM Duelist from the shop at the municipal tip. they always have a few bats there and they only cost a few quid.
For training I mainly use plastic bats for the kids in the 6-8 age range as they are significantly lighter. I got those from upfront cricket online for a tenner each posted. I am sure the sponsors on here do them too.

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2015, 04:12:59 PM »

Wouldn't personally pay to much for children's bat as they soon outgrow them and we are already halway through the cricket season.
Also the key here is you need to buy from somewhere where they can have a swing with the bat to ensure the bat handle is not to thick and the bat is not long or to heavy for them good tip is to get them to hold the bat with just there top hand in the pickup if it makes thier wrist ache tthe bat is to heavy.English willow is best and it is not as heavy as kasmir but at the stage they are at I agree it would be a waste of your money to pay to much.

Buzz · « **Reply #9 on:** June 23, 2015, 05:25:30 PM »

I bought a bat from msr then took a chunk out if the toe, thinned out the handle and shaped it to fit my son. Then put stickers on it to match my bat.

That way you get something cheap and ideal for you kid.

LDifa · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2015, 06:51:43 AM »

I got my boy's kit from Jake at Vitas, he was ace, very helpful I needed a size 2 & 3, he recommended the gray nics power bow as they were light and English willow, they both ping which is brill as they have progressed to hard balls this year.

The bats were �35, so not too expensive, but will get dearer next year as eldest moves to size 4.

Uzi Sports · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2015, 08:26:54 AM »

I would recommend
http://uzisports.com/junior-cricket-bats/Graynicolls-junior-bats?product_id=1158&filter=37
we also have Plain English Willow bats which we are selling in the shop for �44.99

I will have a look if there any others which may be suitable for your son

Percy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2015, 08:49:54 AM »

I can't count the number of times I have seen boys turning up at cricket with kit that their parents have paid good money for but is the wrong size - it costs no more to get fitting kit than not.

The trouble is that most parents rely on the "experts" at Sports Direct or the local school uniform shop; whilst I am sure they have the best of intentions their guidance is poor and in many cases just plain wrong. As the forum advises take your money and go to a proper cricket shop (Vitas, Uzi, VKS etc) they will give you great advice and it wont cost you that much more, if anything. Unfortunately, as I have leaned to my cost, this is just the beginning, you can't buy cricket kit to grow in to and as your boys grow so will their desire for a bespoke G1 "gun". Good luck and enjoy the journey!

Uzi Sports · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2015, 10:00:33 AM »

Quote from: Percy on June 24, 2015, 08:49:54 AM

I can't count the number of times I have seen boys turning up at cricket with kit that their parents have paid good money for but is the wrong size - it costs no more to get fitting kit than not.

The trouble is that most parents rely on the "experts" at Sports Direct or the local school uniform shop; whilst I am sure they have the best of intentions their guidance is poor and in many cases just plain wrong. As the forum advises take your money and go to a proper cricket shop (Vitas, Uzi, VKS etc) they will give you great advice and it wont cost you that much more, if anything. Unfortunately, as I have leaned to my cost, this is just the beginning, you can't buy cricket kit to grow in to and as your boys grow so will their desire for a bespoke G1 "gun". Good luck and enjoy the journey!

i agree with you with every word you have written

Gurujames · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2015, 12:09:16 PM »

thought I would put my money where my mouth was so I went to the shop at the dump and picked up these two size 4 bats for �2.50 each. a few minor repairs a sand and re oil and we are done. I re-gripped them with secondhand grips and put grip grip (self amalgamating tape) so the grips won't move when the bottom handed biffers get their hands on them (poor coaching LOL) .The Woodworm weighs 1.12lbs the GM 1.13lbs. the woodworm responds better though the GM isn't bad.
Usually I would spend more time finishing them and I would leave the glue to set for at least 24 hrs, but I thought I would show what you can get for very little money and if you are prepared to spend a day off in the sun sanding cricket bats.
Enjoy

Author Topic: First Bats for children (Read 4452 times)

dynamiccoins

First Bats for children

csnew

Re: First Bats for children

VKS

Re: First Bats for children

WalkingWicket37

Re: First Bats for children

liscon12

Re: First Bats for children

dynamiccoins

Re: First Bats for children

Julesoak

Re: First Bats for children

Gurujames

Re: First Bats for children

Seniorplayer

Re: First Bats for children

Buzz

Re: First Bats for children

LDifa

Re: First Bats for children

Uzi Sports

Re: First Bats for children

Percy

Re: First Bats for children

Uzi Sports

Re: First Bats for children

Gurujames

Re: First Bats for children