AboutTom O`Leary Expertise I am am best suited to answer questions regarding minor league baseball prospects.
Experience Originally, i started doing this because i became engrossed researching prospects for a fantasy league. Back then all i really wanted to do was answer questions about baseball prospects.
Funny how time flies but twelve years later i have been asked questions regarding the negro leagues, what minor leaguers get paid, why players don't rub their injury when they get hurt, and how players can tryout for the minor leagues to name only a few. i was recently in correspondence with a father of a marine who lost several fingers while in Iraq; he was later drafted by the padres and is playing in their minor league system. additionally, i get a lot of questions from guys asking me if i think they can be successful at these tryouts or if they should tryout at all.
I do my best to answer every one's question without overstepping my bounds of knowledge. *sometimes i have to tell people that i just can't answer their question.* And sometimes i have to tell people that they just aren't good enough to be a professional ball player.*
most recently i have received two negative feedbacks from people who didn't like my response. one 30 year old guy who hadn't played since he was a teenager asked me if he really had a shot at making the tryouts. realistically, i said no. i guess he didn't appreciate my bluntness but what would you have wanted me to say?
i am not really an 'expert' in anything. i just answer people's inquires, give some conservative advise or tell them 'i don't know.' after twelve years i have realized that i do fulfill most most questioners satisfactorily which keeps me doing this.
Question I know that bat speed is important to hitting long balls, but how important is the bat itself? I bought my son a cheap bat 34/31 so he could get used to swinging a heavier bat in preparation to playing in high school. With that bat, he has hit a couple of over the fence homeruns and several off the fence hits. I have read about about composite bats. Will that bat make a difference?
Answer Jerry,
I'm not going to say no but at 14 years old, i would have to say you are over concerned with what bat to use. all bats are different. one bat to one batter doesn't feel good to the next guy. that's more prevalent with older players. and you didn't mention if you bought a wood or metal bat. I'm sure you are aware of the issue with using a metal bat.
that all being said, no the bat won't make the difference.
