Ash v. Maple

Great move buying a maple bat - they are inherently stronger than ash (given both are turned from quality high-grade billets). Maple and ash bats of the same length and drop may, generally speaking, have a different feel as far as weight distribution due to the differences in grain structure. My son has broken both types - many of them - in the cages. Any time you hit on the far end of the bat you run the risk of breaking it at the handle. Sounds backwards but that's physics.
My son recently purchased a Brett composite bat. The Dragon model (which is BSR certified, by the way) is a composite multi-laminate constructed of a laminated bamboo core and laminated maple barrel/exterior. It is (I think) 23% stronger than a one piece bat and hits the same. SO far, it is holding up and he is in the cages four nights a week and hits about 200 balls or so a night.
Contrary to what one might think, laminates if constructed properly are ALWAYS stronger than a single piece of wood.
I hope your bat holds up. Make sure yo hit only real baseballs. Rubber balls will break it really quickly. If you finds it does eventually break, try the Brett. You can buy them online for $59. direct from them. I have nothing to do wit that company - just a satisfied customer.

NJ--- I own both and hit with them extensively over the winter. My personal opinion is that when you hit the ball on the sweet spot, the maple has a much better feel than ash does. It also seems a bit stronger than the ash. All IMO.

I have seen one published test which I can't find now that shows maple having a smaller sweetspot with more energy imparted to ball as compared to ash,other variables being controlled.

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Originally posted by jwonbb:
I hope your bat holds up. Make sure yo hit only real baseballs. Rubber balls will break it really quickly.

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Interesting... I have a cheap wood bat ($30 LS?) that my friends and I have used quite a bit in my cage, exclusively w/ rubber balls. My son also hits wood a lot in our cage. None of these bats have broken yet. I would've thought just the opposite - that real balls would be more inclined to break wood bats?

SANDMAN: Just my experience, although dimpled rubber batting cage balls are generally considerably heavier than real baseballs. This does make a difference - for the same reasons aluminum bat makers won't warranty a bat if you hit rubber balls with them. Especially if you are hitting pitches in the 80-85 mph range. As far as your "cheap" bat is concerned, you either lucked out on a really good grade of wood, or most likely the bat is heavy for it's length (drop) and the handle is probably thicker than a pro-grade bat. Just my guess. Hey, whatever works for you. All I know is my son has broken two bats: one wood and one maple, hitting rubber balls - like on the third or forth hit with the bat.