Aside from the obvious difference between the materials used to construct metal and wooden bats, there are many other factors that set the two types apart. Each style has its advantages that you should take into account when selecting a bat. Metal bats are widely used in youth baseball up through college and amateur adult leagues, while wooden bats are used primarily at the professional level and in some amateur leagues. One major difference in structure is that metal bats have hollow barrels, while wooden bats are solid all the way through, making metal bats generally lighter. Thus, young players can control them more easily and they can also be swung faster, allowing players to hit balls further than they might with wooden bats. The barrels on metal bats are also wider, providing a larger area to effectively hit a baseball, known as the “sweet spot.” While metal bats may seem to enhance players’ performance, wooden bats are still the standard at the pro level, so if you aim for that level it is important to practice with wooden bats. Getting used to a smaller sweet spot can improve a hitter’s control and swinging a heavier bat can increase power.