How to fly with a baseball bat

Would you like to bring your baseball bat on your next flight? Traveling with sports equipment is always a struggle, as the items are bulky and take up a lot of space. However, if you’re heading to a baseball game and require your lucky bat, you must know if and how to bring a baseball bat on a plane.

According to the TSA’s guidelines, you can bring a baseball bat in your checked baggage on a plane. However, baseball bats aren’t allowed in hand luggage because they are too big. Ensure your baseball bat is wrapped in bubble wrap to protect it in your checked baggage, or book it as fragile luggage when bringing it on a plane.

You can travel on a plane with a baseball bat in your checked baggage. There are no restrictions on the weight or size of the bat in this case. However, the bat cannot be bigger than the maximum size of the suitcase you are permitted to bring.

You are not allowed to travel with a baseball bat in your hand luggage, even if it is a mini-bat and fits in your hand luggage. This is because baseball bats can be used as weapons and are banned from being brought into plane cabins. Therefore, all baseball bats must be packed in your checked baggage when flying.

Can You Bring A Metal Baseball Bat On A Plane?

You can bring a metal baseball bat on a plane if it is packed in your checked baggage. However, a metal baseball bat will set off security alarms if you try to take it through airport security. Therefore, the bat will be confiscated, as no baseball bats are permitted in your hand luggage.

You can safely bring a metal baseball bat in your checked baggage on a plane. Ensure the bat isn’t bigger than the maximum size you are allowed to bring. Place the bat in a protective case to prevent it from getting dented or damaged in transit.

How Do You Travel With A Baseball Bat On A Plane?

Baseball bats can be used as a weapon, so they are banned from being brought on a plane in your hand luggage. Fortunately, you can bring a baseball bat in your checked baggage without experiencing any problems at the airport.

However, airport employees often handle checked baggage roughly as it is loaded onto the cargo van and plane. For this reason, it’s important to protect your baseball bat from damage before packing it into your checked baggage.

Ideally, you should wrap your bat in bubble wrap or place it in a hard, protective case when traveling with it. This will protect the bat from dents and damage while on the flight. Also, opt for a hard-shell suitcase to protect your items from damage while flying.

Is A Baseball Bat A Fragile Item On A Plane?

A baseball bat isn’t necessarily considered a fragile item on a plane. However, if you’re worried that your baseball bat will sustain damage during a flight, you can mark your bag as fragile. You can get a fragile sticker from the check-in counter and place it on your baggage.

This might help the airport workers handle your bags with more care and place them on top of the plant’s cargo load, which will help reduce the chances of damaging your baseball bat.

The only way to truly protect your fragile items, such as a baseball bat, is to cover it with bubble wrap and store it in the center of your bag, surrounded by soft items to absorb the shock.

References ▾

  • https://community.southwest.com/t5/Travel-Policies/Baseball-Bats/td-p/92887

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No, as per TSA baseball bats must be checked.  Go to the TSA "What Can I Bring?" page then search for bat, this is what is there now:

"Baseball Bats

  • Carry On Bags: No
  • Checked Bags: Yes

Sports equipment that can be used as a bludgeon (such as bats and clubs) is prohibited in the cabin of the plane and must be transported in your checked baggage."

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    Flying with bats

    07-14-2019, 03:28 PM

    Headed to Ft. Meyer at the end of the month. We are bringing a couple of wood bats with us. Last year when we traveled my son had a Diamond roller bag that we shoved bats in and then put that bag in a golf club traveling bag. He now just carries a Rawlings duffel bag. So trying to figure out the best way to check a couple of wood bats without them being damaged. I am thinking about getting a padded rifle case from Academy and throw that in a big duffel bag with other clothes or just check that case by itself. Anyone have any other suggestions on what to use?

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    Some air lines have carry on limits, will the padded case fit in a overhead? I have seen flight attendants send non conforming suitcases to baggage. Also, the rifle cases may flag the always happy TSA agent

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    My son is going to Ft Myers in August. He will put his catchers duffle in my golf travel case with a crappy TSA friendly lock. He place the mitts in hus carry on bag. I hope I wont need to go to a Dicks or baseball shop if the luggage gets lost.

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    Originally posted by sparkny2 View Post

    Some air lines have carry on limits, will the padded case fit in a overhead? I have seen flight attendants send non conforming suitcases to baggage. Also, the rifle cases may flag the always happy TSA agent

    Won’t be able to carry on the bats. We will have to check them. That is why I am thinking about buying the padded case.

    Sparkny2, are you guys going to the 14u PG National Showcase?

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  • How to fly with a baseball bat

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    When we went to Cary NC last summer I just shipped the 2 bats to the hotel we staying at. Cost me $15 and I had tracking and insurance

    How to fly with a baseball bat

    day we left, I mailed em back


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      I have seen the rifle case thing, and hear that it works well

      How to fly with a baseball bat

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      Originally posted by Colonel21 View Post

      Won’t be able to carry on the bats. We will have to check them. That is why I am thinking about buying the padded case.

      Sparkny2, are you guys going to the 14u PG National Showcase?

      The padded case makes sense but is it still small enough to get lost. I am liking the fedex option. Yes taking the kid to PG national. Wife is staying put as youngest kid has his travel basketball but local, not sure if I got the better deal as I will most likely bake on the field

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      Originally posted by sparkny2 View Post

      The padded case makes sense but is it still small enough to get lost. I am liking the fedex option. Yes taking the kid to PG national. Wife is staying put as youngest kid has his travel basketball but local, not sure if I got the better deal as I will most likely bake on the field

      I will be there as well with my son. I will be the guy working on a laptop in the stands. I think we are staying at the Homewood Suites down the road from the stadium.

      I have one of those big Dick’s duffel/equipment bags. I usually pack it full of clothes, so I know that Southwest won’t consider it oversize. I think I am going to pack my son’s Rawlings duffel with his helmet and cleats in there and then also put the rifle case with bats in the duffel. That way everything stays together but the bats are protected.

      Last edited by Colonel21; 07-15-2019, 07:18 PM.

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      Originally posted by SouthGaBaseball View Post

      I wish I would have bought the Pro 9 bag originally. I purchased the Marucci quiver about a month ago to use to take bats back and forth to the field when we just go hit some BP instead of lugging his whole bag. The quiver says that it will hold 3 bats. It fits 2 big barrel bats and shoving a third in there is not so easy.

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    • How to fly with a baseball bat

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      Originally posted by Colonel21 View Post

      I wish I would have bought the Pro 9 bag originally. I purchased the Marucci quiver about a month ago to use to take bats back and forth to the field when we just go hit some BP instead of lugging his whole bag. The quiver says that it will hold 3 bats. It fits 2 big barrel bats and shoving a third in there is not so easy.

      We do same thing if just going to hit... my quiver bag is an old canvas bag from a broken baseball lawn chair

      How to fly with a baseball bat

      works good! holds 4 bats, put 2 bats end cap first and 2 bats handle first
      How to fly with a baseball bat

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      Originally posted by Colonel21 View Post

      I will be there as well with my son. I will be the guy working on a laptop in the stands. I think we are staying at the Homewood Suites down the road from the stadium.

      I have one of those big Dick’s duffel/equipment bags. I usually pack it full of clothes, so I know that Southwest won’t consider it oversize. I think I am going to pack my son’s Rawlings duffel with his helmet and cleats in there and then also put the rifle case with bats in the duffel. That way everything stays together but the bats are protected.

      That is cool, we are staying at the Comfort Inn. Looking forward to the chow there. I am hoping there will be a long break to grab a charter.

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