Louisville Slugger MLBM9YC Youth Pro Maple Wood Bat (31 Inch) 39.00 Louisville Wine handle with Black barrel. 2 14 inch barrel. 3132 inch handle. Flared knob. Cupped: Yes. Hard Maple Wood. Louisville Slugger M9 maple bats have become a standard among ball players that swing wood. Louisville Slugger uses professional grade, hand-picked maple to turn these bats. The unique grain structure of maple wood prevents the barrel from flaking and contributes to its increased durability. Although many players still prefer ash because of its lightweight feel, the main draw to maple is its hardness. Louisville Slugger's M9 maple bats are kiln dried for optimum moisture content, further increasing their life span. This bat features a 2 ¼ inch barrel in diameter with a cupped end that helps players increase their swing speed by controlling the bat's weight. As a youth player wood bats can dramatically improve hitting mechanics. This is a great bat for practice or for games.