2011 Baseball Bats

The majority of the 2011 bats have hit the market. Although there hasn’t been a lot of change from the 2010 models, there has been some change. More detailed information will be posted in the reviews for each manufacturer, and in My Baseball Bat Recommendations will provide my recommendations in each category. Take a look at the listings on the right side to check them out. Here are the 2011 baseball bats:

2011 COMBAT BASEBALL BATS

Combats first steps in 2010 have been backwards. They’re trying to recover from a poor 2011 model year by bringing back what created the buzz a few years ago in a new name and package.

Combat B3

It appears Combat has abandoned the B2 and its and is essentially bringing back the B1 as the B3.  The B2’s nanocomp and MAP technologies have disappeared, essentially making this bat very similiar if not identical to the B1. As of early March it only appears to be available in youth models. It has the same single wall, stiff handle balanced design.

2011 EASTON BASEBALL BATS

I have to hand it to Easton. The NCAA bans composite bats in college baseball, so what does Easton do? The re-adjust their Stealth Speed, 100 % composite bat, and get it approved! It is the first composite bat that is approved for use in the upcoming 2010 NCAA season. If I’m ever indicted for murder my first choice for someone to represent me is Easton. These guys will do anything to sell a bat. But after this news it looks like their remaining 2011 bats are a repeat of the 2010 models. You can pre-order the bats now but they do not go on sale until April 3. Oh yeah, I’m not crazy about the look of the 2011 Easton line-up. It’s a sophomoric look that makes the bats look cheap.

Easton Stealth Speed II BSS1, BSS2 and BSS3

Let’s start with the BSS1 and BSS2. These are identical to the 2010 Easton Speed bats. They are 100% composite, two-piece bat with a slightly end-loaded design (MOI of 80). The difference between the BSS1 and BSS2 is the handle flex. The BSS1 has a flex handle (75) and the BSS2 a stiff handle (95). The BSS3 is Easton’s answer to the NCAA’s composite bat ban. They most likely re-layered the composite material in a manner where it does not break in any farther. The NCAA’s concern was that the BESR rating for a new composite bat crossed the line once it broke in a month or so later. This apparently solves the problem. Like the other Speed II’s it is a 100 composite two-piece bat with a MOI of 80. It is only available in a 33” model and there is no reason to purchase the BSS3 unless you’re in college. The BSS1/2 have white grips while the BSS3 has a black grip. This was probably done to distinguish the one approved for college play. They all retail for $399 for the Adult -3 model.

Easton Surge XL

Say hello to the SV12. The Surge is the SV12 with a different label and color. It’s a two-piece bat with a composite handle, Easton’s V12 alloy barrel, and a balanced design (MOI of 70). I’ve only seen the stiff handle version, but I’m assuming there will be a flex handle version also. The Adult -3 model retails for $299, the same as the SV12 last year.

Easton Rival XL

The Rival is identical to the 2010 V12. A 100% alloy bat with a stiff handle and low swing weight (MOI) of 60. I’ve only seen the Senior model at the present time. I’d guess the Adult -3 will retail for $199, as the 2010 V12 did.

2011 Demarini Baseball Bats

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Demarini’s line-up has been popular over the last several years and they’ve decided not to mess with it for the 2011 model year. They’re sticking to their bread and butter, two-piece, flex handle bats with their “half and half” technology. The only change being the “rotation index”. These are markings on the handle to help you grip the bat in a different spot and supposedly prolong bat life. Here’s a look at their 2011 bats:

CF4

The CF4 is a two-piece, double wall, 100% composite bat with a flex handle and extremely low swing weight (MOI). It is made with Demarini’s top tier composite, pitch black and is identical to the 2010 model. They say they added more silver trace technology, but they made the same claim last year. It’s made with Demarini’s pitch black plus composite, half and half technology and “hub” end cap. The CF4 is very popular but some do not like the extremely low swing weight. The Adult -3 retails for $399.99 putting it in the high end composite category. If you like this bat you can save a few dollars by finding the gold 2010 model.

Vendetta C6

The C6 is a two-piece, single wall, 100% composite bat with a flex handle and balanced design. It is made with Demarini’s second tier composite material, C6 and, hence, is their second tier composite bat. As the others, it is identical to the 2010 model. The Adult -3 retails for $299.99 putting it in line with the other second tier composite bats.

Voodoo Black

The Voodoo Black is a two-piece, single wall hybrid baseball bat with a flex handle and balanced design. The handle is made with Demarini’s pitch black composite material and the barrel with their SC4 alloy. It is Demarini’s top tier hybrid bat, and is identical to the 2010 Voodoo (except for a new knob). The Adult -3 retails for $299.99 putting it in line with the other top tier hybrid bats. Same story here, if you like this bat find the 2010 model and save a few dollars.

Vendetta

The Vendetta is a two-piece, single wall hybrid bat with a balanced design and flex handle. It has Demarini’s C6 composite handle, with the rail technology, and a SC4 alloy barrel. The Adult -3 model retails for $249.99. You’re essentially paying an additional $50 over the Vexxum to have the rails technology in the handle.

Vexxum

The old standby Vexxum is a two-piece, hybrid bat with a balanced design and flex handle. It has Demarini’s C6 composite handle and a SC4 alloy barrel. 100% alloy bat with a flex handle and balanced design. The Adult -3 retails for $199.99. A solid low cost bat.

M2M

The M2M is a two-piece, 100% alloy bat with a stiff (that’s right, I said stiff and Demarini in the same sentence) handle, end-loaded (you read it right) design. It is made with Demarini’s SC4 alloy. This is Demarini’s answer to the stiff handle Louisville stands by and Easton has integrated into their line-up. It retails on the high end, $249.99 for the Adult -3 model and is identical to the 2010 model.

2011 RAWLINGS BASEBALL BATS

If you can’t beat them, copy their design and steal their name! This seems to be Rawlings strategy for the 2011 model year. Their first 2011entry is a hybrid bat called the 5150 Exogrid. Yeah, that’s right the EXOGRID! The exact name and design of Louisville’s best selling bat for the last several 4 years. I don’t know if this will replace or compliment their 2010 5150 hybrid which, by the way, had the exact design as Louisville’s 2010 H2 hybrid bat.

When K2 (parent company Jarden) bought Rawlings in 2003, Rawlings did not have bat manufacturing facilities. K2 quickly purchased Worth and Miken which provided the manufacturing facilities. So someone was making Rawlings bats (including their somewhat popular Liquid Metal model) at the time of purchase. This begs the question was Louisville manufacturing their bats, and do they still have a manufacturing agreement? We do know Louisville had an interest in purchasing Rawlings prior to K2. I just would have assumed Rawlings bats were moved to the Miken/Worth manufacturing lines soon after Miken & Worth were acquired by K2. Here’s what we know about Rawling’s 2011 line-up:

2011 5150 Exogrid

It’s a single wall, two-piece hybrid bat with a stiff handle and balanced design. As mentioned the Exogrid name and design were taken directly from Louisville. The Adult -3 retails for $299.99, which is $70 less than the 2010 Louisville Exogrid. At least they didn’t copy Louisville’s price. The composite material is inserted into the bat handle just like Louisville’s Exogrid. It is a change from the 2010 Rawlings hybrid which had the composite handle bonded to the alloy bat (just like Louisville’s H2). Their main selling point is “Ph.D technology” which is supposed to reduce vibration. This essentially means nothing. It has the same 5150 alloy barrel as their 2010 5150 alloy and hybrid models. The real question is not about this bat, it’s will Louisville continue with their Exogrid in 2011 and what will the price be?

2011 Louisville Baseball Bats

Louisville has made some minor changes to their alloy for the 2011 model year. They’ve replaced their long standing ST+20 alloy with their new AC21 Scandium alloy. They claim it’s stronger and offers a better bond with a composite handle. Since it’s only available on their hybrid models I’d say that’s the only reason they made the change. Here are the 2011 Louisville bats:

Triton

Let’s all be thankful they’ve changed the color of the 2011 Triton. It’s the same 3-piece bat made from Louisville’s 3X composite material that is “bonded into a 1-piece bat” via their bubble transition zone. The retail price remains at $399.99 for the Adult -3 model. If you like this bat you’ll save about $100 by picking up the 2010 model on the discount rack (if you can stomach the gold and blue design). Not bad for the exact same bat.

TPX Dynasty

This is Louisville’s second tier composite bat. It’s been around for awhile in a variety of names; Catalyst, Omaha Comp. It’s still a one-piece, stiff handle bat with a balanced design made with their 7C composite. The news is that they’ve price lower this year. I saw the Adult -3 model listed at $207.99 which is a fantastic price. This is a very good choice for those who want a composite bat but don’t want to break the bank. .

H2

It’s a two-piece bat with a stiff handle and balanced design. The handle is made from their 3x composite and the barrel from their new AC21 alloy. Otherwise it’s the same as the 2010 and 2009 models. The two pieces are bonded together making it appear like a one-piece bat. The Adult -3 model retail price stays at $299.99 for 2011. You may remember this bat was introduced in 2009 with a retail price of $369! It didn’t take Louisville long to figure out it was overpriced.

Exogrid 2

Louisville’s best selling bat is back for a fifth year. There is a slight change for 2011 as they have changed the alloy to their new AC21. The really big news is Rawlings release of their own Exogrid in 2011 (see Rawlings reviews). It will be interesting to see if Louisville loses some sales because of this. Unfortunately the retail price remains $369.99 for the Adult -3 model. For only $30 more you can own a 100% composite bat, or for $70 less a different hybrid bat with similar performance.

Omaha

No it’s not the energizer bunny, its Louisville Omaha and it’s still going. It’s the same bat they’ve been making for the last ten years, with some new paint. It’s a one-piece, 100% alloy bat with a stiff handle, a balanced design and the same ST-20 alloy. They did not make this bat with their new alloy, which makes it clear the new alloy is only intended to help the bonding on their hybrid bats. Amazingly, they have increased the price to $229 for the Adult -3 model. It was priced at $199 last year. It’s very odd that the price would go up on a very old design, not the smartest of moves.

2011 MIKEN BASEBALL BATS

Maybe being a freak is not such a good idea after all? Miken has dumped their Freak name after only a single year, clearly not a good sign. It’s looking like their new line-up is a rehash of the Freak line. They seem to have the same material, R900 carbon fiber and MPa7 resin. We’ll need to investigate and post the findings when they’re known. Miken, a leader in softball bats’ just can’t find the sweet spot in baseball. It looks like the 2011 model year will be no different.

MV3 BBMV3C

One-piece, 100% composite bat with a stiff handle (haven’t yet seen an additional flex handle version like they had last year) and intermediate swing weight. They do not state whether this is a single or multi-wall design. The Freak was multi-wall which makes me believe the MV3 is as well. Certainly not a good idea when most prefer a single wall design. The Adult -3 model retails for $399 making this bat the top of their line. If Miken wants to dent the baseball market they have got to have a competitive price. At this price I’m going with a proven commodity.

MV3 BBMV3H Hybrid

It’s a two-piece, multi-wall bat with a flex handle and intermediate swing weight. Like the Louisville H2 the composite handle and alloy barrel are fused together to make the bat appear to be one-piece. Again, this seems to be a facelift of the Freak hybrid. The Adult -3 model retails for $299 putting it in line with the other high end hybrid bats. Again, not the best way to get Miken bats in the hand of players and I recommend going elsewhere.

2011 Nike Baseball Bats

There is absolutely nothing new from Nike in 2011. Here what they have to offer:

Aero CX2

It’s the exact same bat as the 2009 and 2010 models. The CX2 is two-piece, 100% composite multi-wall bat with a flex handle and a balanced design. The design is similar to the Demarini CF4. If you like this bat you can save a bundle by purchasing the 2010 model which I’ve seen for $250. The 2011 Adult -3 model retails for $399.99.

Aero Fuse

It’s a two-piece, single wall hybrid bat with a flex handle and balanced design. It’s the same bat as the 2010 Aero Fuse model. The composite handle is made from the same material as the Aero CX2. The barrel is made with Nike’s Zr91 alloy.  The Adult -3 model retails for $299.99.