Let’s be honest, for young players, a baseball bat can feel like an extension of themselves. It needs to be light enough to swing with confidence, but powerful enough to launch the ball into the outfield. The 2024 Easton MAV1 checks a lot of boxes, but with a caveat – it might not be the end-all, be-all bat for everyone.
2024 Easton Mav1 What’s New?
The big innovation with the 2024 Easton MAV1 is the XLD Optimized Barrel Performance. Translated from marketing speak, this means a thinner barrel wall across a larger area. The result? A supposed larger sweet spot for more consistent, harder hits.
The 2024 DeMarini The Goods epitomizes a BBCOR baseball bat catered specifically to power hitters. Notably, its key features encompass a large X14 Alloy Barrel designed to foster a broader sweet spot and enhance power upon contact. The barrel construction, resulting in a more robust sensation and elevated performance rigidity. Moreover, a new addition is the introduction of a novel metal compound knob. In the following sections, we will explore these differentiating factors in comparison to the 2023 DeMarini The Goods model in this review.
One of the key features of the 2024 model of The Goods is the Fortified Metal Compound Knob. Significantly, this knob is made with a combination of alloy and composite materials, which provides it with enhanced leverage. Consequently, it becomes stronger and more durable compared to traditional knobs.
Review of the Louisville Omaha baseball bat, that’s had a dominant presence since it was introduction in 1998. It has been the one consistent presence in the Louisville line-up during this time. One of the selling points is that there is nothing fancy about this bat. It is still is a one-piece bat made with the older ST+20 alloy, a stiff handle and a balanced design. Louisville is now claiming it “features the lowest swing weight bat on the market.” Interesting since they are making the same claim about the Exogrid 3. The folks at Louisville need to provide some detail here or it comes across as pure hype.
It is absolutely my choice for anyone interested in a 100% alloy, one-piece bat with a stiff handle. Need some incentive? Many college baseball swing the Omaha, a less expensive bat, than the other Louisville models. So don’t be fooled by the lower price and 100% alloy material. Available in Adult, Senior and Youth models. The Adult-3 model retails for $199.
This review is for the 2013 Demarini CF5 baseball bat that is available in youth, senior and BBCOR models. It is a 100% composite, double wall, flex handle bat utilizing their half and half technology and a low swing weight (MOI). The design is the same since it was launched as the CF3.
The 2012 model claims it has their lowest swing weight ever. It always was low, and it’s interesting that their making this claim for a few reasons. First Louisville now claims the 2013 Exogrid has the lowest swing weight of any BBCOR 2 5/8″ bat, so someone is not telling the truth. Second, many college players stay away from the CF5 because of the low swing weight among other reasons. The new model is made with their new TR3 F.L.O. (fused layer optimized) composite that claims to make it stronger and lighter. This after the introduction of “Tri Strut TR3″ material last year which claimed to “imitate the structure of crystals which are one of the strongest and most stable compounds on Earth”. So I’m skeptical to say the least.
So why has the CF5 never caught on in college baseball? As stated, the low swing weight is a problem. College players are experienced and prefer balanced or end-loaded bats. Next many players at most levels prefer single wall bats. They feel that double wall designs deaden the exit speed of the ball. Plus they’re not crazy about flex handles. Put them all together and you’ll see why college players stay away from the CF5. Take a look at any team swinging Louisville (Tennessee, LSU, Arizona State) and the vast majority are using the Voodoo. Now if experienced baseball players are staying away from a free CF5 why would you pay up to $400 for it? There are much better 100% composite options available. If you love the half and half technology go with the Voodoo!
The BBCOR model retails for $399.99, the Senior League for $299.99 and the Youth for $249.00
The Louisville name is synonymous with baseball bats and in reviews it’s impossible to separate them. Unfortunately they’ve been fighting an uphill battle in the industry to regain the top spot in the industry. The problem has been in the 100% composite category where they have failed to manufacture a bat that has caught on. Last year they took a step in the right direction with the Z-1000 composite. It has received much more acceptance and you’ll actually see college players using it. They’re hopeful it will become a staple in their line-up with the long running Omaha and Exogrid.
No surprise that Louisville is sticking to a one-piece stiff handle design for their 2013 line-up. They finally got the message last year and returned to the design that has defined and what people expect from them. All bats listed below are BBCOR Certified for high school and collegiate ball or approved for play in Little League, Babe Ruth, Dixie, Pony, AA Continue reading →
Many have been watching the 2012 Little League World Series and have been wondering what bat models are being used. Here’s a brief explanation as to what is going on.
First you need to know Easton is the Official Team Equipment Supplier at the 2012 LLWS, hence you’re seeing Easton being used almost exclusively. They’re having every player experience their HIT LAB which, they claim, features an interactive batting system that uses swing “analytics” to custom fit players’ swings to the “correct” model. Participants will receive feedback and statistics based on their swing, helping them choose the right bat for unique swing characteristics. This is the same technology Easton utilizes for their NCAA Division I teams. Since this is the first time Easton’s new Power Brigade will be swung in the LLWS they are pushing each player to either the S1 or XL1 model with the HIT LAB. So these are just about the only models you’ll see being used. The 1’s are their 100% composite bats.
There are going to be few 2013 Youth and BBCOR baseball bats on the market during the normal spring release season. The main reason is due to the BBCOR standard being implemented in 2012. The manufactures had to scramble to get their bats compliant and, hence, had to offer new 2012 models in the middle of the year. It didn’t make sense to come out with another model a few months later. Most will get their 2013 models on shelves in late summer early fall. Here are the few exc
Here are my reviews and recommendations of the best youth, senior and BBCOR 2012 baseball bats. Everything is sorted by the composition of the bat and the price. I believe this simplifies a complex decision making it easier to pinpoint the bat that’s right for you.
My Baseball Bat Recommendations for the 2012 model year are:
100% COMPOSITE BATS
High Cost Recommendation:
Easton 2012 BB11S1 S1 (-3) BBCOR Adult Baseball Bat
2012 Power Brigade S1 or XL1: First here’s the difference, the SL1 has a low MOI (claims to be the lowest on the market) and balanced design. The XL1 has a higher MOI, is slightly end-loaded and has a longer barrel. Otherwise they are made with the same material and design. Choose the XL1 if you’re a power hitter and the SL1 if not. These are two-Piece bats with flex handles made from Easton’s new IMXTM composite material. Easton has always been the leader in composite bats and the 2012 model year is no exception. The Adult -3 model retails for $399. Continue reading →
BBCOR (Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution), the baseball bat standard that replaced BESR (Ball Exit Speed Ratio)
Many are still confused with the BBCOR standard and exactly what it means. Here’s a very simple explanation.
Rather than measuring the ratio of the ball exit speed to pitch and bat speeds (like BESR), BBCOR measures the trampoline effect of the bat. With the BESR standard, when a pitched ball made contact with an alloy or composite bat, the barrel would flex inward somewhat and the ball would retain a portion of its energy. This resulted in hits that were longer and harder. Wood bats don’t have that give to them and the ball loses much of its energy upon impact. The BBCOR standard ensures that non-wood bats perform more comparably to wood bats in an attempt to level the playing field.
It also accounts for how bats perform after they’ve broken in. Since the dawn of composite bats, it was found that the more they were used the better they performed. This led to tampering with the bats to artificially accelerate the break-in process and improve bat performance (rolling anyone?). With BBCOR, bats are now tested after various stages of simulated use in the lab, so that a bat never performs beyond the BBCOR standard at any point during its useful life.
Easton’s long awaited Power Brigade series has finally hit the market. This lineup follows Easton’s format of offering a 100% composite two-piece bat, hybrid two-piece bat and 100% alloy bat. The difference is that they will come in two different series. The Speed Series has a low (Easton says the lowest) swing weights (MOI), and the XL Series has a higher swing weight (MOI) and claims to have a longer barrel. The pricing is the same for both series, it’s just a matter of preference. All of the Brigade bats are BBCOR certified.
