Tag Archives: bat

The BBCOR Standard Has Made An Impact on Baseball.

We all know the BBCOR standard began on January, 2011 in NCAA baseball and January, 2012 in High School baseball. So what are the results?

First some background, BBCOR stands for “Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution” and it focuses on how much of a trampoline effect the barrel of a bat has on a ball. It was created to ensure that aluminum and composite bats play similar to wood bats, but it also accounts for how bats perform after they’ve been broken in. The fact that composite bats broke in, therefore exceeding the old BESR standard, was the primary reason for the change.

Also, many don’t know that College baseball officials have been gradually taking the pop out of bats for more than a decade. The turning point was the 1998 College World Series, when there were a record 62 home runs in 14 games. Southern California’s 21-14 championship-game win against Arizona State featured seven home runs and 39 hits.

Continue reading →

Know the Difference Between Stiff and Flex Handle Baseball Bats.

The Stiff vs. Flex Handle baseball bat debate is the centerpiece of the dispute between baseball bat manufacturers and a leading cause of confusion among baseball bat consumers. I wish Mythbusters had included this in their baseball special.At least they taught us a corked bat actually reduces batted ball speed.

Here’s how to understand the rating for baseball bat handles. 100 is the stiffest handle rating and a handle with maximum flexibility will have a rating of 60. You’ll see ratings anywhere between these two extremes. Unfortunately, the majority of manufacturers do not provide the exact flex rating for their bats, just that they are stiff or flex handles.

Manufacturers like Easton and Demarini have pushed the benefits of the flex handle design for years, while others like Louisville and COMbat push the benefits of the stiff handle design. Two completely different designs stating they’re superior to the other. Will someone please hit me in the head with either a stiff of flex handle bat? Some manufacturers, like Easton, have recently begun to offer both flex and stiff handle versions of the same bat.

The flex handle philosophy says it’s better because “whip action” allows the bat to uncoil and release energy stored during the swing and increases the bat speed up to the moment of impact. Whip action is the bending of the bat when brought back and then swung forward before the point of contact. The top of the barrel is supposed to move behind the handle when it’s brought back and then move in front of the handle when it’s swung forward. Think of a diving board and a golf club as examples. See photo demonstrating the whip action of a golf club.

Stiff handle manufacturers say that stiff handles allow the trampoline effect in the barrel to be more effective thus improving batted-ball speed. The premise is all bats flex on contact (which is true) but the stiff handle makes that barrel flex more pronounced on contact and increases batted ball speed. Also, that rigid handles hit balls faster because a flexible handle messes up your swing, and if not timed exactly right, can actually reduce batted ball speed.

Continue reading →

Is a One Piece or Two Piece Baseball Bat Better?

It used to be simple; a bat was one piece of wood, aluminum or composite. How things have changed! Two piece bats are now extremely popular and seem to be the trend for the foreseeable future.


Easton, Demarini and Nike have long championed the two-piece design. Demarini and Nike have held fast to this philosophy while Easton has branched out to make bats in almost all designs in an effort to appeal to everyone. They say the major benefit of a two piece bat is that it gives more flex to the barrel at the point of contact and, therefore, increases the trampoline effect (see photo of bat after the point of contact). This should not be confused with handle flex (or whip action). Handle flex or whip action is supposed to take place before the point of contact with the ball, and the trampoline effect at the point of contact.

The one-piece bat argument long championed by Louisville and recently COMbat. Louisville claims their Triton and H2 are “bonded” together to act more like a true one-piece bat. They say the two-piece design results in weakness at the joint of the handle and barrel thereby reducing the trampoline effect or spring back. They’re essentially saying that it provides very little resistance and therefore will not spring back as quick and hard as a one-piece design.

Before we go any farther, let’s understand what trample effect actual means in the scientific world. The trampoline effect refers to pronounced elasticity in the impacting object (baseball bat, tennis racquet, golf club, etc.) such that it acts like a trampoline. It is also referred to as the spring-like effect because of the degree to which the object depresses, then springs back into shape when striking a ball. Here are the scientific specifics for a baseball bat:

Continue reading →

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. Continue reading →

Why Have Composite Baseball Bats Been Banned?

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee’s recommendation to remove, at least temporarily, composite bats from NCAA competition. NOTE: This is a ban in college baseball only,  composite bats are still legal in High School down through T-ball for now. Also, hybrid bats are still legal in College baseball (bats with composite handles and alloy barrels).

The rules committee proposed the action in July and met again via conference call August 17 after hearing comments from the membership and manufacturers about the recommendation. After considerable discussion, the rules committee concluded that composite bats will not be allowed for the time being.

The committee’s main concern about composite bats is that they are susceptible to performance improvement above standards set by the NCAA, either through normal use or alterations to the bats.

While committee members are not convinced that simple compliance testing of specific bats will solve what they see to be a significant problem in the sport, the committee agreed with a suggestion from the NCAA Baseball Research Panel to seek additional testing to determine if it is feasible to allow composite bats in NCAA play this season.

The research panel met with baseball bat manufacturers August 12 in Indianapolis to explore whether composite bats could be used within NCAA guidelines and parameters.

During the 2009 Division I Baseball Championship, composite bats were selected for ball exit speed ratio (BESR) certification tests. Of the 25 bats tested, 20 failed the official BESR test for current NCAA performance levels. Because all bat designs must pass that test before mass production, the results indicated that the performance of such bats changed thereafter, most likely due to repeated, normal use or intentional alteration.

In the meantime, the NCAA plans to conduct additional testing that will provide the baseball rules committee another opportunity for review. Additionally, the committee is open to providing an opportunity for companies to prove that their bats would meet current NCAA standards regardless of use or tampering.

As for beyond the upcoming season, the baseball research panel is recommending that an Accelerated Break-In (ABI) process be added to the certification process under the new Ball-Bat Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard to help address the issue of improved performance and further the goal of having all bats in NCAA play remain under the NCAA limit through the life of the bat.

The BBCOR is a method designed to measure the performance of the bat. The ABI is designed to replicate repeated use or intentional alteration of the bat. This process has been used with some success in the certification process for softball bats.

2010 Rawlings Reviews

Rawlings has introduced a new line of baseball bats for 2010. Their Rush Comp/Gold Lite line lasted only one year before becoming extinct. I’d like to take credit for this as I stated last year that Rawlings is the “Rodney Dangerfield of baseball bats.” My guess is the extremely low swing weight of the Lite line turned off a lot of players because it exerted very little mass/inertia on the ball.

For 2010 Rawlings has put all their eggs into the 5150 basket, they must be huge Van Halen fans, as their entire line-up carries the 5150 name. Actually, the 5150 name seems to be a carried over from their parent company K2 (the ski company). K2 has a line of snowboards and bindings with the 5150 name. K2 also owns the Rawlings and Worth brands so I’m sure a lot of the technology is shared between their baseball bats.

They’ve addressed the mass issue by increasing the swing weight of the Composite 5150 and Hybrid 5150 compared to last years Lite models. They’re not end-loaded bats; they just don’t have as low a swing weight as the Lite line putting them in the intermediate swing weight range. They say this provides the “ultimate combination of bat speed, power, and control.” A few well known college teams, such as Virginia, Georgia Tech and Tulane swing Rawlings bats. My main problem with the 5150 technology is that Rawlings doesn’t explain why it’s superior to other technologies. All they talk about is finding the right bat based on a player’s actual performance and testing their bats with radar. How does this convince me 5150 bats are better than other bats? They also have an additional “Speedcap” that screws onto the end of 5150 bats to measure your bat speed. It sounds interesting on the surface, but it’s just comparing the different 5150 bats. This doesn’t help me compare Rawlings to Easton, Louisville or Demarini bats. In addition, why would I spend the money (I believe this thing costs $79) to compare only Rawlings bats? You’ve got to be kidding me!

I don’t see any reason to purchase a Rawlings bat as there are many other proven options available in the price range for their bats. If Rawlings wants to make any kind of progress in the baseball bat industry they need to be the low cost option in every category.

Here’s a breakdown of the Rawlings 2010 line-up:

Rawlings Composite Bats

·5150 Composite: The 5150 Composite is a multi-wall bat with a stiff handle and a balanced design. It’s slightly more end-loaded than last year’s Comp Lite, which had a very low swing weight, but it’s still a balanced bat. Rawlings claims a superior feel achieved through a custom blend of carbon, fiberglass, and aramid fibers. In my opinion this bat should be in the lower cost composite category. If it were in this category it might actually sell. Unfortunately it’s priced as a high end composite bat with a retail price of $379.99 for the Adult -3 model. There is absolutely no reason to purchase this bat when you can buy an Easton, Louisville, Demarini or ComBat composite bat for the same money. Continue reading →

Nike Baseball Bat Reviews

Nike is a relatively new member of the baseball bat community and is trying to make a name for themselves in the industry. Many still have a problem associating Nike with anything other than athletic shoes and may never accept them in the baseball bat industry. They do have a small following and several big name college teams have to swing Nike bats due to contracts their universities signed with Nike. It has been reported that many players on these teams are not fond of the agreement. In fact, the Georgia Bulldog players blame their 2008 CWS loss on their Nike bats. They even demanded an out in the contract so they could switch to Easton.

The 2010 Nike bats are very similar to their 2009 models. The big news is that they’ve dropped their alloy model, the Torque, and are focusing exclusively on composite and hybrid models. Nike bats are very similar in design to Demarini bats which begs the question why consider a Nike bat when Demarini bats cost the same, receive better reviews and are much more popular? Therefore, if you love the design of Nike bats I’d recommend you take a hard look at the Demarini line-up.

Nike Composite Bats

2010 Aero Fuse CX2: Nothing new here but the color, it’s the same model as last year. It’s a balanced multi-wall, two piece bat with a flex handle and Nike’s “multi-layer cross react carbon”, “speedlink system”, “powerbelt technology” and “aero cap”.The Adult -3 model retails for $399. This bat has an extremely similar design to the Demarini CF4. The CF4 has a slightly longer barrel and hands down would be my recommendation over the CX2 if you love this design. If you must have the CX2 I’d recommend you find last year’s model on the discount rack for a lot less money.

Continue reading →

Here are Reviews of the Mattingly Baseball Bats

Mattingly has not produced ANY 2010 baseball bat models!!! They have absolutely no information on any 2010 model on their web site, no retailer (online or brick and mortar) is selling a 2010 Mattingly bat and their 2009 models are deeply discounted. I’m not sure what’s going on with the Mattingly brand but it can’t be a good sign. It would not surprise me if Mattingly bats become a thing of the past. Since I can’t review models that don’t exist, I’ve resurrected my reviews of their 2009 models to fill some space.

Okay, I’ll start by saying I hate the Yankees and therefore hate Don Mattingly. With that out of the way my review of these bats will be objective.

Mattingly bats main selling point is the V-Grip handle. The handle, somewhat shaped like a V, is designed to help you grip the handle correctly. Meaning your “door knocking knuckles” are aligned when grasping the handle. In my opinion, it’s the equivalent of the youth baseball gloves that have a notch to help kids close the glove better.

The problem is no kid in High School or College is going to be seen holding this bat, as they wouldn’t be seen wearing a glove with a notch in it. Quite frankly, any kid who’s reached puberty doesn’t want to be seen holding a V-Grip bat. It screams that the player is inexperienced and needs a crutch (sorry Donny, I’d say this even if you had played for a team I didn’t hate).

I’ve never seen these bats in the hands of a player at any age, anywhere. The bat reviews are below but my recommendation is to pass on Mattingly bats:

Mattingly Composite Bats

  • Beast: one-piece bat with a stiff handle and balanced design. Besides the V-Grip they tout the Xtreme Weave Carbon construction for “maximum power and durability”. Needless to say I do not recommend this bat.

Mattingly Alloy Bats

%IMAGE%

  • Ripped: 100% alloy, one piece bat with a stiff handle. Medium grade alloy (MB55Sc alloy) touting the same benefits as the Beast. It’s odd that two bats made out of completely different material have the exact same benefits. I do not recommend this bat.
  • V Force: One piece, 100% alloy bat with a stiff handle. This bat is only available in youth models and consists of alloy that’s been around for over 15 years (MB75 alloy). Unless you’re playing T-Ball there are better options.

Visit My Bat Recommendations for recommendations in each category and price range.

2010 Baseball Bats

The 2010 models have arrived but, for the most part, it’s a disappointing model year for baseball bats.

The only significant changes have come from Rawlings with the introduction of their 5150 series. Louisville and Nike did not make ANY changes to their 2009 line-up other than color. Combat only added Adult versions of their old bats, Easton and Demarini only made minor adjustments to their 2009 line-up of bats. I’d say the 2010 model year provides the perfect opportunity to purchase a 2009 model at a great price.

Here’s my opinion on what they’re saying about the 2010 bats. You can also get in-depth reviews by clicking on the corresponding tabs on the right side of the site.

2010 DEMARINI BASEBALL BATS

Other than a new option in the composite category that makes a lot of sense, not much new with the 2010 Demarini bats. Their new “buss word” for the 2010 model year is Silver Trace technology which claims to be a unique blend of carbon combined with the Silver Trace technology. It claims to be a bonding agent that adds strength to maximize power transfer to the barrel. In my opinion this is just an attempt to make it appear something is new.

Continue reading →