As long as the bat is fit to your son or daughter and is right length and drop weight difference, yes they do make a difference. Like said before in earlier posts- being a contact hitter w a good swing and mechanics is the 1st prerequisite.
My daughter had one of the vintage purple Easton's she used for travel ball and through freshman year. An umpire cracked it tossing from plate down line to the dugout and it hit the fence... I about wanted to cry or beat his arse !!!
Such is life I guess but I loathe clueless umpires !!!
Proud Member of The Tenth Legion - Tom Kelly For President !!!