Choking Up on the Bat

A few things... (I didn't read the links)

The knob is there for a reason... leverage, grip, point of reference.  Most hitters are most comfortable being in contact with the knob in one form or another.

Also, generally, each size is made from a different mold and the dimensions are typically different with each (barrel length, taper, etc.).  So, choking a 34" of the same style as a 33" will still have a different feel and balance.  That said, there are also advantages to the longer barrel of the bigger bat.

cabbagedad posted:

 

Also, generally, each size is made from a different mold and the dimensions are typically different with each (barrel length, taper, etc.).  So, choking a 34" of the same style as a 33" will still have a different feel and balance.  That said, there are also advantages to the longer barrel of the bigger bat.

Although I have not looked at mutlipe Meta's in different sizes together, I have done that with a couple of other two piece composite models from Demarini.  In both of those bats there seemed to be two barrel profiles.  One size barrel from 33-34 and another for 32 and under.  Within those size groupings the length of the handle accounted for the variations in length.

There's something about baseball bats that always compels me to chime in.

My kid was 6-3 250, and hit for power. He hated all 34" bats.

I think it's mostly about weight and feel. A bat's weight is more concentrated in the barrel than the handle. Very roughly, 1/2 of the weight of the bat is in the top 1/3. So choking up an inch doesn't feel like you're swinging a 30 oz bat, because you still have to get most of that additional oz moving.

Also, my son liked the feel of the knob in the palm of his hand (he also had hamate surgery on his bottom hand). I think it gave him the feeling of more control.

Took me a few minutes to dig up this photo.  These are 3 different lengths of the same model bat.  Barrels are all the same.  I have to think it makes the manufacturing and design a lot cheaper.

That's a good point about barrel length, I'm sure that varies from model to model. I always think of "-3" as a specification, but it's really just a approximation. Most 33" BBCOR bats actually weigh around 31 oz. Who's to say that the 34" is even 1 oz heavier than the 33"?

NorCal, if you can get your hands on both bats, let us know if barrel length is the same. Also, find the center of gravity on each (balance in a loop of ribbon). Is it closer to the end-cap on the 34"? That would make it feel different to swing (more end-loaded).

The weight is also distributed in the knob, handle and end cap depending on the desired balance so there is no reason the same barrel size would effect having a consistent drop from size to size.  Just add less weight in other places and move the weight along the length of the bat from size to size to maintain a consistent balanced feel.  

22and25 posted:

Took me a few minutes to dig up this photo.  These are 3 different lengths of the same model bat.  Barrels are all the same.  I have to think it makes the manufacturing and design a lot cheaper.

 

Looks like these are -10 bats... a bit different scenario than the adult bats.  Yes, varies from model to model, but when I was in the biz not that long ago, there were different molds for different sizes and the barrel lengths and taper varied (for most bat models).  I believe I did see some models where, as you said in a subsequent post, they may use same barrel for 33 and 34 but different for 32.  I always got a kick out of the smaller '10's and '13's with the huge barrels.

There are great hitters like bonds or Votto who choke up but if he doesn't like the idea of a 34 it might not make sense to force him to do it. 

Comfort and confidence with your bat is very important and if he doesn't feel well even if not objectively justified it could affect his performance.

I also have always liked to be in contact with the knob 

cabbagedad 

 

Looks like these are -10 bats... a bit different scenario than the adult bats.  Yes, varies from model to model, but when I was in the biz not that long ago, there were different molds for different sizes and the barrel lengths and taper varied (for most bat models).  I believe I did see some models where, as you said in a subsequent post, they may use same barrel for 33 and 34 but different for 32.  I always got a kick out of the smaller '10's and '13's with the huge barrels.

The two on the left are same model year Zen, BBCOR 33" and 31" drop 8 youth bat.  Barrel size and taper are identical.  Bat on the right is the next year of the same line in a 31" drop 5, different barrel profile.  Maybe its just DeMarini that only wants to tool up for a couple of barrel sizes per year model.

Interesting about the Zens ^^^. Thought the same from memory, but didn't have multiple ones in front of me to check. All I know is that I kept having to send them back due to cracking. After the last one, Demarini said no more, I said well make a better bat after all it wasn't like a grown man was swinging the thing    My take away from that conversation was, I guess that is what happens when a bat company flirts with the line.

Getting back to the OP, choking up on a bat to me is more mental than feel. It is usually interpreted as "just make contact". Which of course produces a swing that does just that. 

The posted pictures are eye opening. and they really are worth a thousand words. My son has used the longer bat in practice off the tee, says he feels no difference, but is using a different 33" bat during the games.