Bamboo bats are constructed primarily from bamboo, which is technically classified as grass rather than a tree but is often referred to as wood. This unique material makes bamboo bats a distinct option for baseball bats, featuring a barrel that gradually narrows down to a knobbed handle, similar to most other baseball bats.

According to Baseball Tips, bamboo bats are highly resilient due to their construction process involving the compression of bamboo strips. Bamboo is naturally sturdy, and when combined in this way, it has a tensile strength that surpasses that of steel. The article suggests that bamboo bats can endure numerous off-center hits without succumbing to damage or breakage.

One notable characteristic of bamboo bats is their durability and resistance to breakage, but if the core of the bat is removed during contact with the ball, it can cause discomfort and numbness in the hands due to vibration. Many high schools, colleges, and adult baseball clubs utilize bamboo bats for training purposes, and even high school players who compete in the Koshien tournament commonly use them. In recent times, an increasing number of coaches have started to integrate bamboo bats into the practice routines of junior high school teams.

Top 6 Best Bamboo Bats

1. Brett Bros. Maple/Bamboo Wood Baseball Bat: MB110 Adult

The MB110 Adult baseball bat by Brett Bros. is a combination of maple and bamboo wood. The company’s vision was to create top-quality composite wood bats that are affordable for players at all levels of baseball. With a focus on durability and consistency, Brett Bros. developed this bat with the intention of delivering superior performance to its users. The Brett Brothers have been locked in with baseball their entire lives, through Bobby and John’s Minor League employment to the Professional jobs of Ken and George. The Brett Brothers know baseball. For sure, even today baseball is a critical piece of their lives, with each kin being locked in their own particular way. George, who is at this point a piece of the Kansas City Royals Organization and an old neighborhood legend here in Kansas City, was a calling .305 hitter with 3 Batting Titles, a 1985 World Series Ring, and an enrollment to the Hall of Fame in 1999 to adjust his drawn out occupation in Kansas City. Notwithstanding the way that he ended up being a consistent hitter, he showed that he had the data to succeed. The Brett Brothers understood that having reliable wood was a huge part. This is the explanation that they executed their 3-piece overlaying system close to their authorized Boa fiberglass support that is applied to the handle.

Key Features

  • Standard Knob
  • Non-Cupped Barrel End
  • Extremely Balanced Swing Feel
  • Excellent Cold and Warm Weather Bat
  • 110 Turn Model – Thickest Handle, Long Taper, and Shorter Barrel
  • The patented BOA Fiberglass Reinforced Handle Adds Strength
  • Maple Outer Shell & Bamboo Core Creates Durable Bats
  • BBCOR Certified For High School & Collegiate Approval

Specifications

  • Handle 32”, 32.5”
  • Barrel: 2 ½”
  • Drop:  -3
  • Material: Wood
  • Wood Type: Bamboo, Maple, Composite Wood
  • Bat Type: Baseball, BBCOR
  • Hitting Style: Power Hitter, Contact Hitter
  • Swing Weight: Balanced
  • Color: Natural, Brown
  • Deals: Personalization Eligible, Bundle & Save, Exclusive Bats
  • Brand: Brett. Bros.

Pros

  • Most durable wood on the market.
  • Very hard to break. 
  • It will last a long time.

Cons

  • May not get the same “pop” as regular wood bats.

Recommendations

The MB110 baseball bat by Brett Bros. is a unique combination of a bamboo core and maple overlays, resulting in a bat with unparalleled durability. The company has established itself as a leading manufacturer of high-quality baseball equipment. The MB110 bat is currently BBCOR certified, meeting the standards for high school and collegiate play, making it a suitable option for players at these levels.

Brett Bros. Maple/Bamboo Wood Baseball Bat: MB110 Adult

Learn More: Top 10 Best Slowpitch Softball Bats Ever Made 

2. BamBooBat Bamboo/Maple Composite Wood Baseball Bat: 243HWBN

The 243HWBN bamboo/maple composite wood baseball bat from BamBooBat is a product of Pinnacle Sports Equipment Inc. This brand is known for producing some of the most durable and dependable wood bats in the industry. Every model is constructed using the finest bamboo available, which is widely regarded as one of the strongest natural materials on the planet. There’s no more obsessing about breaking a bat like you would find in standard wood bats any more drawn out. BamBooBat’s quality from the middle is maintained by an amazing 100 Day producer’s assurance. This infers that whether or not you don’t relate to the ideal equilibrium and experience a break, BamBooBat will displace that bat if it happens inside the underlying 100 days from your purchase date. as in the event that that wasn’t adequate, BamBooBats are made with long barrel profiles which outfits you with a greater ideal equilibrium for more plate incorporation.

Key Features

  • 243 Turn Model
  • Slightly End Loaded Swing Weight
  • Extra Long Barrel Profile Provides A Huge Sweet Spot
  • Cupped End Ensures A Harder Piece Of Wood During Construction
  • Bamboo & Maple Composite Construction Delivers Unreal Durability
  • New Rubberized Handle Reduces Negative Feedback To The Hands
  • BBCOR Certified For High School & Collegiate Approval
  • Legal For Play In Intermediate (50-70) & Junior League Divisions Of Little League

Specifications

  • Handle: 15/16”
  • Barrel: 2 ⅝”
  • Weight Ratio: -2 to -3
  • Bat Type: Baseball, BBCOR
  • Material: Wood
  • Wood Type: Maple, Bamboo
  • Hitting Style: Power Hitter
  • Swing Weight: Balanced
  • Color: Navy, White
  • Deals: Personalization Eligible, Bundle & Save
  • Brand: BamBooBat

Pros

  • Durable
  • Sweet spot
  • Nice pop
  • Balanced swing
  • Good looking

Cons

  • Nothing as such

Recommendations

The BamBooBat brand has combined a bamboo core with a maple composite hitting surface for this particular model, the 243HWBN. With a professional-grade finish, the bat offers improved balance, pop, and overall durability. The bat is finished with a high-gloss lacquer and a newly developed rubberized handle that helps reduce the amount of negative feedback felt in the hands on off-center hits.

BamBooBat BambooMaple Composite Wood Baseball Bat 243HWBN

Learn More: Best Softball Bats Under $100

3. BamBooBat Bamboo Wood Youth Baseball Bat: YHNBB100D 

The YHNBB100D youth baseball bat by BamBooBat is crafted using only the highest quality bamboo wood available. Bamboo is widely recognized as one of the strongest natural materials on the planet, boasting an impressive tensile strength of 28,000 PSI, compared to steel’s 23,000 PSI. This is so significant given the simplicity of breakage found in ordinary wood bats. BamBooBat utilizes its Patent Pending Quadcore Technology that permits the ball to ‘bounce’ off the bat. This Quandcore Technology additionally takes into consideration a decent vibe not found in some other bamboo bats. BamBooBats are made with a wonderful serious shine veneer finish on all models. 

Key Features

  • Medium Knob
  • Pro Cupped End
  • Balanced Swing Weight
  • Patent Pending Quadcore Technology
  • Long Barrel with Hard Taper to the Handle
  • Bamboo Wood Construction – One of the Strongest Natural Materials on the Planet

Specifications

  • Handle: 15/16”
  • Barrel: 2 ¼”
  • Weight Ratio: -5 to -6
  • Bat Type: Youth, Wood Baseball
  • Material: Wood
  • Wood Type: Bamboo
  • Swing Weight: Balanced
  • Color: Natural, Black
  • Deals: Personalization Eligible, Bundle & Save, Used
  • Brand: BamBooBat

Pros

  • Very durable
  • Great quality bat
  • Has so much pop out of the box.
  • Easy to get used to.

Cons

  • This bat chips easily on the end of the barrel.
  • Can feel heavy for a player used to the lighter composite bats.

Recommendations 

With BamBooBat, you can confidently take your bat to the training fields, as it comes with a 100-day manufacturer’s guarantee of replacement in case of breakage. This guarantee provides players with the assurance that if they accidentally hit the ball on the wrong part of the bat within 100 days of purchase, BamBooBat will replace it for them. By choosing BamBooBat, players are not only getting a top-quality product but also contributing to a sustainable future, as the company advocates for environmental conservation with its “Go Green, Save the Earth” slogan.

BamBooBat Bamboo Wood Youth Baseball Bat YHNBB100D 

Learn More: Best Wood Fungo Bats 

4. Mizuno Bamboo Elite BBCOR Wood Baseball Bat

Mizuno’s wood bats are designed to perform at the highest level of play, just like some of the most coveted home run bats in the game. This includes their Bamboo Elite BBCOR wood baseball bat, which is crafted with the utmost attention to detail and performance to meet the demands of elite players. For over 30 years, Mizuno has been adding to their expertise in planning the best Bamboo bats around. During this season, to say the least, the Bamboo Elite series gives players the edge they need each time they get serious. With bamboo and glass fibers combined in the handle and fixed and a short time later got together with a bamboo barrel to make a wood bat with unrivaled durability. 

See Also:   Best Wood Fungo Bats for 2023 Reviews [Expert Picks]

The Mizuno Bamboo Elite Wood Baseball Bat features a 2 ½ inch barrel diameter, an end-loaded swing weight, and is BBCOR certified for high school and collegiate play. With a 271-turn model, this bat is suitable for both contact hitters and power hitters alike.

Key Features

  • 271 Turn Model
  • Long Taper
  • Slightly End Loaded Swing Weight
  • Sanded Handle Provides Better Overall Grip
  • Bamboo Reinforced For Extreme Durability
  • BBCOR Certification For High School & Collegiate Approval
  • Cupped End Optimizes Swing Weight
  • Glass Fiber Reinforced Taper & Handle For Long Lasting Performance
  • High Gloss, Rich Furniture Grade Finish Creates A Premium Look
  • Legal For Play In Intermediate (50-70) & Junior League Divisions Of Little League
  • BBCOR Certification For High School & Collegiate Approval
  • Approved For NCAA & NFHS Play

Specifications

  • Handle 33″
  • Barrel: 2 ½”
  • Weight Ratio: -3
  • Material: Wood
  • Bat Type: Baseball, BBCOR
  • Wood Type: Bamboo, Composite Wood
  • Hitting Style: Power Hitter, Contact Hitters
  • Swing Weight: End Loaded
  • Color: White, Matte Black
  • Deals: Personalization Eligible, Bundle and Save
  • Brand: Mizuno

Pros

  • Durable
  • Sweet Spot
  • Great pop

Cons

  •  The sweet spot seems small but if you hit right, the ball will fly.

Recommendations

To ensure a superior grip, the handle of the Mizuno Bamboo Elite Wood Baseball Bat is sanded for maximum comfort. Additionally, the end is measured for improved weight distribution, resulting in faster swing speeds. Mizuno is so confident in the integrity of this bat that they are offering a 120-day manufacturer’s guarantee against breakage.

Mizuno Bamboo Elite BBCOR Wood Baseball Bat

Learn More: Best Fungo Baseball Bats 

5. Rawlings Big Stick Elite Maple/Bamboo Composite Youth Wood Baseball Bat: Y151CB

This baseball season, give your youth slugger an extra boost of power and style with the Rawlings Big Stick Elite Maple/Bamboo Composite Youth Wood Baseball Bat: Y151CB. Loaded with high-end technology, this bat is perfect for developing hitters. With a -5 drop weight, this bat is an ideal choice for strong youth players who can benefit from some extra momentum. This bat also offers a two-tone black and silver colorway that tells opposing players you’re fully invested in your player’s success. Based on Rawlings’s popular 151 bat profile, this Big Stick Elite youth model offers a classic feel that’s perfect for young hitters.

Key Features

  • 271 Turn Model
  • Conventional Knob
  • Balanced Swing Weight
  • Cupped Barrel End
  • Approximate Drop 5 Length To Weight Ratio
  • Maple / Bamboo Composite Wood Construction Creates Unmatched Durability
  • 151 Turn Model – Designed To Be Balanced for Youth Players
  • Good Barrel Size, Yet Balanced. Should Allow For Optimal Swing For Each Plate Appearance.

Specifications

  • Handle: 15/16”
  • Barrel: 2 ½”
  • Weight Ratio: -5
  • Material: Wood
  • Bat Type: Wood Baseball, Youth
  • Wood Type: Bamboo, Composite Wood, Maple
  • Swing Weight: Balanced
  • Color: Black, Silver
  • Deals: Personalization Eligible, Bundle and Save
  • Brand: Rawlings

Pros

  • Durable
  • Powerful sweet spot

Cons

  •  Nothing as such

Recommendations

Designed as part of the Big Stick line, the Rawlings Big Stick Elite Maple/Bamboo Composite Youth Wood Baseball Bat: Y151CB was created with youth hitters in mind who can handle a slightly larger barrel. This model boasts a large, powerful sweet spot that delivers an exceptional feel and energy transfer thanks to its composite wood material. The bat’s advanced construction blends eco-friendly bamboo with ultra-tough and high-performance maple to create a durable and balanced bat. This composite construction helps to maximize swing speed and power, making it twice as durable as some non-composite models.

Rawlings Big Stick Elite MapleBamboo Composite Youth Wood Baseball Bat Y151CB

6. BamBooBat Trifecta Wood Slow Pitch Softball Bat: TRI-HBBW

The BamBooBat Trifecta Wood Slow Pitch Softball Bat, produced by Pinnacle Sports Equipment Inc., is a highly durable and reliable option for players. Constructed from one of the strongest natural materials on earth, this bat is made from the highest quality bamboo available. There’s not any more agonizing over breaking a bat like you would find in the typical wood bats. BamBooBats are made with long barrel profiles which furnishes you with a bigger perfect balance for more plate inclusion.

Key Features

  • Mostly Balanced Swing Feel
  • Extra Long Barrel Profile Provides A Huge Sweet Spot
  • Cupped End Ensures Better Balance & Control
  • No Barrel Length Listed By The Manufacturer
  • Handle Does Come Pre-Wrapped With A Black Batting Grip
  • One-Piece, Wood Style Slow Pitch Bat (Bat is Built From A Bamboo Core That Is Wrapped By A Maple Barrel)
  • Bat Does Not Display Any Specific League Stamps. Only Bears The Words “Official Softball” On The Barrel.
See Also:   Top 10 Best USA Bats for 7 Year Old Reviews for 2023 [Expert Picks]

Specifications

  • Handle: 34”
  • Barrel: 2 ¼”
  • Weight Ratio: -5
  • Material: Wood
  • Bat Type: Slowpitch Softball
  • Wood Type: Bamboo, Composite Wood, Maple
  • Hitting Style: Power Hitter, Contact Hitter
  • Swing Weight: Balanced
  • Color: Black, White
  • Deals: Personalization Eligible, Bundle and Save
  • Brand: BamBooBat

Pros

  • Durable
  • Nice pop
  • Bat feels good when you swing it

Cons

  •  Nothing as such

Recommendations

Each softball bat in the BamBooBat Trifecta series is crafted using a sustainable and eco-friendly material that grows naturally. This particular model, with its white and black color scheme, features a professional-sized end cap that promotes greater balance and control while at the plate. Experience the winning combination of sustainability and performance by getting your hands on a BamBooBat Trifecta Wood Slow Pitch Softball Bat today.

BamBooBat Trifecta Wood Slow Pitch Softball Bat TRI-HBBW

Final Verdict

Children are highly adaptable and have the ability to learn and repeat experiences quickly. Additionally, the body retains this learning and memory, even if it hasn’t been utilized for some time.

Similar to developing good habits, breaking bad habits can be a challenge. Those who are used to swinging metal bats may take a considerable amount of time to break that habit. Even a high school student who is accustomed to using a metal bat with a powerful sound may struggle to perform as expected when switching to a bamboo bat. Therefore, it is recommended to start practicing with bamboo bats as early as possible to avoid difficulties in the future. Children are highly adaptable, and their bodies tend to retain muscle memory, so repeated use of bamboo bats can help develop a strong foundation for their batting skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a bamboo bat legal?

Yes, bamboo bats are legal in baseball and softball as long as they meet certain requirements set by the respective governing bodies. For example, in baseball, bamboo bats must meet BBCOR certification standards to be allowed in high school and collegiate play. It is always recommended to check with the specific league or organization to ensure the bat you plan to use is legal according to their rules and regulations.

2. How do they make bamboo bats?

Bamboo bats are typically made by laminating thin strips of bamboo together with an adhesive to create a solid piece. The bamboo strips are typically arranged in a way that maximizes the bat’s strength and durability. Once the strips are glued together, the bat is shaped and sanded to its final form. Some bamboo bats also incorporate other materials such as maple or composite materials to further enhance their performance.

3. Can you hit a baseball farther with a Wooden or Aluminum bat?

In general, an aluminum bat will allow the ball to be hit farther than a wooden bat. This is because aluminum bats have a larger sweet spot and are more lightweight, allowing for faster swing speeds and greater power transfer to the ball. However, regulations regarding bat performance in different leagues can affect the comparison between wooden and aluminum bats.

4. Are Mizuno bamboo bats good?

The Mizuno Classic Bamboo wood bats have been a popular choice for training, and now they are also BBCOR Certified, making them suitable for game day use. These bats are designed for players who prioritize durability and longevity in their equipment. The bamboo material used in these bats is known for its strength and resilience, and it provides an excellent combination of stiffness and flexibility. With a Mizuno Classic Bamboo bat, players can expect a solid feel and good control, making it an ideal choice for those looking to improve their hitting skills.

5. What kind of bat is a bamboo bat?

A composite bamboo bat is not made by covering bamboo sheets. Instead, it’s made by combining bamboo fibers with a binding agent and compressing them under high pressure to create a solid and durable material. These bats are designed to have a larger sweet spot and reduced vibration compared to traditional wooden bats.

Also, it’s not true that if you remove the center of the bat when hitting the ball, it vibrates and your hands go numb. That’s a common issue with some wooden bats but not necessarily with composite bamboo bats.

6. Is bamboo a wood bat?

Bamboo is often classified as a type of wood, but technically it is a type of grass. However, bamboo can be used to make bats that are similar to wooden bats, and these bats are typically categorized as “wood bats”.

Reference:

  1. Lau, S. K. P., Fan, R. Y., Zhu, L., Li, K. K. W., Wong, A. C., Luk, H. K., Wong, E. B., Lam, C. K., Lo, G. C., Fung, J., He, Z., Fok, F. C., Au-Yeung, R., Zhang, L., Kok, K., Yuen, K., & Woo, P. C. Y. (2021). Isolation of MERS-related coronavirus from lesser bamboo bats that uses DPP4 and infects human-DPP4-transgenic mice. Nature Communications, 12(1).  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-20458-9
  2. Srinivasulu, C., Srinivasulu, A., Srinivasulu, B., & Jones, G. (2018). A new subspecies of the Malayan Bamboo Bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Tylonycteris malayana eremtaga) from the Andaman Islands, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 10(1), 11210.  https://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/3906
  3. Woo, P. C. Y., Lau, S. K. P., Li, K. K. W., Poon, R. W., Wong, B. H., Tsoi, H., Yip, B. C., Huang, Y., Chan, K., & Yuen, K. (2006). Molecular diversity of coronaviruses in bats. Virology, 351(1), 180–187.  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0042682206001425?via%3Dihub