The preferences for the size of PVC baseball among different age groups are mainly influenced by physical development, batting technique requirements, and usage scenarios. The following is a specific analysis:
Childhood stage (4-10 years old)
Size preference: A PVC baseball with a diameter of 6.0-6.5 centimeters and a weight of 50-70 grams is preferred.
Cause analysis: At this age, children’s physical development is not yet mature, and their strength and coordination are relatively weak. The smaller size and lighter weight make it easier for them to hold and swing, reduce the difficulty of hitting the ball, increase the success rate of hitting the ball, and thus enhance their interest and confidence in baseball. For instance, when children aged 4 to 7 use 61-centimeter-long soft safety baseball bats for practice, the PVC baseball that matches them will also be relatively smaller in size to suit their physical conditions.
Adolescence (11-17 years old)
Size preference: Suitable for PVC baseballs with a diameter of 6.8-7.0 cm and a weight of 80-100 grams.
Cause analysis: As teenagers’ physical development gradually matures, their strength and coordination improve, and they start to pursue a hitting experience closer to that of a standard baseball. This size and weight of PVC baseball can not only allow them to feel a certain hitting feedback, but also will not affect the performance of technical movements due to being too heavy or too large. For instance, for young players aged 8 to 9 who enter the U10 stage, when choosing bats that are 29 to 30 inches in length and weigh 18 to 20 ounces, the matching PVC baseball size will also be closer to the standard size to accommodate their continuously improving batting ability.
Adult stage (18 years old and above)
Size preference: A standard-sized PVC baseball with a diameter of 7.2 to 7.3 centimeters is preferred. The weight is usually around 140 to 150 grams (if it is a portable model for training, the weight can be appropriately reduced to 80 to 100 grams).
Cause analysis: Adults have fully developed bodies, better strength and coordination, and possess stronger batting ability and technical control skills. Standard-sized PVC baseballs can meet their needs in official competitions or high-intensity training, providing more realistic hitting feedback and competitive experiences. However, for some portable training scenarios, adults may also choose slightly lighter PVC baseball to facilitate carrying and diverse training.