Baseball bat

A baseball bat is a smooth wooden or metal club used in the sport of baseball to hit the ball after it is thrown by the pitcher. By regulation it may be no more than 2.75 inches (7.0 cm) in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches (1.067 m) in length. Although historically bats approaching 3 pounds (1.4 kg) were swung, today bats of 33 ounces (0.94 kg) are common, topping out at 34 ounces (0.96 kg) to 36 ounces (1.0 kg). A baseball bat is divided into several regions. The 'barrel' is the thick part of the bat, where it is meant to hit the ball. The part of the barrel best for hitting the ball, according to construction and swinging style, is often called the 'sweet spot.' The end of the barrel is called the 'top,' 'end,' or 'cap' of the bat. Opposite the cap, the barrel narrows until it meets the 'handle,' which is comparatively thin, so that batters can comfortably grip the bat in their hands. Sometimes, especially on metal bats, the handle is wrapped with a rubber or tape 'grip'. Finally, below the handle is the 'knob' of the bat, a wider piece that keeps the bat from slipping from a batter's hands.