Louisville has finally responded to Easton and Demarini’s multi-piece bat designs with the Louisville Slugger TPX Triton, a unique 3 piece bat. What I find amazing about this bat is the size of the barrel. This is the largest barrel I’ve ever seen on a baseball bat. My initial thought is this thing looks like an oak tree!
The Reebok VECTOR O enters into the baseball bat arena with a unique bat design they hope will break through the clutter. These bats are just hitting the market (as of 10/15/08) so I have not held or used one. I therefore can only provide the published information at my thoughts at the present time. I hope to have my full review for the Christmas buying season.
The Reebok Vector O series of baseball bats has a unique feature is that the handle has three holes in it (called ports) that claim to do two things. First they say it can reduce drag and therefore increase bat speed. We all know bat speed is a critical aspect of hitting the ball farther. Second the holes offer the opportunity to redistribute the weight to the barrel making it longer.The longer barrel would therefore increase the sweet spot.
Continue reading →
Whether you’re a seasoned slugger or just stepping up to the plate for the first time, selecting the right baseball bat can greatly impact your performance on the field. With the myriad of options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where a baseball bat size chart comes to the rescue! This essential tool can help you find the bat that suits your physique, swing style, and hitting goals.
Picking the correct bat size is crucial for achieving optimal swing mechanics and maximizing your power potential. A bat that’s too heavy or too light can throw off your balance and timing, making it difficult to make solid contact with the ball. By referring to a bat size chart, you can ensure that your bat’s length and weight are tailored to your individual preferences and playing style.
A typical baseball bat size chart includes two primary factors: the player’s height and weight. These measurements are used to recommend an ideal bat length and weight. Here’s a breakdown of how to read and use a bat size chart:
While a baseball bat size chart provides a valuable guideline, remember that your individual biomechanics, strength, and hitting technique can influence your ideal bat size. As you test various bats, pay attention to how the bat feels in your hands, your ability to control it, and your hitting performance.
Selecting the perfect baseball bat doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By utilizing a bat size chart, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your physical attributes and playing style. Remember, while the chart provides useful recommendations, your comfort and performance are paramount. So, grab that perfectly sized bat, step up to the plate with confidence, and swing for the fences!
The composite baseball bat is here to stay, so know them, live them and love them.
Stronger and lighter than high-grade aluminum, they are either made of a graphite-fiber composite material or have an aluminum core with graphite lining.
The main advantage is it’s lighter than aluminum and hence provides for a larger barrel and sweet spot within the designated drop ratio. They give a whole lot more forgiveness for the imperfect swing, and have the potential to make the average hitter a clean-up hitter.
Continue reading →
So what is a hybrid baseball batand why would I want to buy one? These baseball bats are a combination of composite and alloy material. The handle is composite and the barrel is alloy.
Examples of include:
The lighter composite handle allows the alloy barrel to be made longer than a traditional 100% alloy bat. This increases the “sweet spot” compared to an alloy bat and provides more leeway to the batter. In contrast, a 100% composite bat has both a composite handle and barrel making the barrel, and “sweet spot”, even larger. Continue reading →
Sorting through the vast number of baseball bats on the market, their retail price and composition can be an overwhelming task.
I’ve taken the time to provide an Adult -3 Bat pricing list for the 2013 baseball bats I’ve reviewed on this blog and put them in a table below. This will help you put it all in perspective to make your decision. Continue reading →
When purchasing a baseball bat the first step you need too understand is the material. This is an in-depth article on composite vs. aluminum bats.
Composite material baseball and softball bats have been around for quite a while, but only in the last few years have they begun to seriously compete with aluminum bats. As far back as 1985, graphite and plastic bats were available[1,2] and by the late 1980’s each of the three big bat companies – Easton, Worth, and Louisville Slugger – had graphite bats on the market. These early bats were advertised as “having the strength of aluminum and the performance of wood.” They were very strong and held up to a lot of abuse, but because they did not perform nearly as well as the more popular aluminum single-walled bats then available they did not remain on the market very long. For about 10 years graphite bats pretty much disappeared from the scene, but by the late 1990’s a few small bat companies – most noticeably Miken – were reintroducing carbon fiber, or composite material, bats into the market again. Like their predecessors, these composite bats were pretty durable, but not very high performing. Continue reading →
What Advantages do composite baseball bats have over aluminum baseball bats? And are they worth the extra cost?
Composite bats do offer distinct advantages to aluminum bats but they will certainly have a shorter life as they can, and probably will, break. They’re also much more susceptible to the cold. All bats warn you to not use them when the temperature is below 50 degrees. For aluminum bats it’s just a safety valve for the manufacturer. For composite bats it’s the real deal.
Here’s the short version of the advantages composite bats offer. For a detailed, in-depth analysis click here. Continue reading →
Everyone has their own preferences and needs in a baseball bat based on experience, aspirations, material and financial considerations. I’ve sorted my recommendations based on the composition and price of the bat to simplify the process. I believe this makes it easier to pinpoint the bat that’s right for you.
First, I segmented my recommendations into the following categories based on the material:
I then provided a high and low cost recommendation within each category. This breaks it down into neat, manageable areas that will help your decision.
My Baseball Bat Recommendations for the 2010 model year are:
100% Composite Bats
Easton/Synergy Speed: The difference between the two being the Stealth is a two-piece bat and the Synergy a one-piece bat. The Stealth comes with both a flex and stiff handle while the Synergy comes only in a stiff handle. Both are made from the identical composite material. Which version you choose is simply a matter of preference. These are by far the most popular composite bats on the market from the youth to college level, and the Stealth Speed is more popular than the Synergy Speed. Most College teams have contracts with a manufacturer and their players must swing a bat made by that manufacturer. Many of the players on teams swinging Easton choose the Stealth and Synergy Speed composite bats. While teams swinging other manufacturer’s bats rarely choose that company’s composite model. Just keep in mind these bats are slightly end-loaded and may be a little more difficult for the inexperienced player to swing. The Adult -3 models retail for $399.
Louisville Dynasty Comp: Hands down the best option for those who must have a composite bat but don’t want to break the bank. It’s hard to beat this bat at a retail price of $249 for the Adult -3 model. You get a 100% composite bat in a model that’s been around for several years and has a good reputation. It’s a one-piece composite bat with a stiff handle and balanced design.
Combat B1: At $299 for the Adult -3 model Combat has FINALLY given players who loved the B1 in youth ball the opportunity to continue using it in a big barrel design. The B1 youth has a lot of avid fans and now there’s no reason not to continue using it in Middle and High School. It’s also a one-piece composite bat with a stiff handle and balanced design.
Hybrid Bats
Demarini Voodoo Black: This is a quality bat with a proven reputation that has always had a reasonable price for a high end hybrid bat. It is a favorite among college teams that use Louisville bats. It’s a two-piece hybrid bat with a balanced design that retails for $299 (Adult -3).
Easton SV12: Another very good choice. What I like about this bat, and Easton in general, is that you can buy it with the handle design you prefer as it comes in both a flex and stiff handle design. I believe the stiff handle design will become one of the most popular bats on the market. It’s a two-piece bat with a balanced design that retails for $299 (Adult -3).
Demarini Vexxum: Demarini owns the the low cost hybrid category and the Vexxum is the clear choice for those looking to purchase in this category. It’s a two-piece single wall bat with a flex handle and balanced design. It has the same SC4 alloy barrel as Demarini’s other hybrid bats (Voodoo and Vendetta) but the C6 composite handle is made from their older composite material. The Vexxum has been a quality bat for a long time and can’t be beat at a retail price of $199 for the Adult -3 model.
100% Alloy Bats
Louisville TPX Omaha: The Omaha is a solid bat with a long and trusted reputation. It’s a one-piece bat with a stiff handle and a balanced design. You can’t go wrong with this bat if you desire a 100% alloy bat. The Adult -3 model retails for $199.
Easton V12: The V12 has Easton’s stiffest handle and lowest swing weight. Because of the very low swing weight this bat is a better option for the inexperienced player. If you’re experienced the Omaha is a better choice in this category. The V12 is a one-piece bat that retails for $199.
At this point you’re just looking for something to hit a ball with. Any alloy bat in the $129 – $169 range will fit your needs. If I had to choose I’d say the Easton Titan, a one-piece stiff handle bat would be the top of the class. But it retails for $169 (Adult -3) which is too close to the Omaha and V12.
Best of luck with your decision and keep swinging for the fences. You can check out all of my bat reviews by manufacturer by clicking the links on the right side of the page.
Welcome to our dedicated baseball bat reviews blog, your trusted hub for unbiased insights. Gain expert knowledge for informed buying decisions. We stand independent of manufacturers and retailers, providing honest reviews and analysis for your confidence.
Explore top-notch baseball bat reviews with our unbiased reviews covering Youth, USA, USSSA, and BBCOR models. Cut through the clutter and hype to make an informed decision before your next baseball bat purchase – a must-read for any buyer.
Discover reviews on renowned brands like Louisville Slugger, Demarini, Easton, Rawlings, Marucci and more. Dive into our comprehensive analysis of the best BBCOR, USA and USSA bats here.
Continue reading →