Getting ready to buy my 2010 his fall/senior year bat, and am thinking of making the switch to composite. I know a friend who's son broke a Nike, anyone have any opinions or recommendations?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Baum is supposed to be the best. Ive swung the Demarini also, I like the Baum better, although it chips a bit, like little tiny pieces, very hard to explain. I don't know how it happens.
easton bats give swing weights(no other bat does). check out there web site.
Ok, help translate some of the numbers from the Easton site. This bat, for instance, has a swing weight of 80 - is the lower the rating better or not necessarily?
Son is moving up to -3 bat and have just begun researching. He's 5-6, 125 or so and has been swinging a -5 the last two years. Still waiting for growth spurt, obviously. Any thoughts on how best to move forward on the bat search? Thanks.
Stealth Speed (95) BSS2 (-3)
Sizes
31" 28 oz.
32" 29 oz.
33" 30 oz.
34" 31 oz.
IMX™ Composite
Handle Flex Rating - 95 (Regular Handle Flex)
VRS™ Rating - 95
Hitting Area Rating - 100
Swing Weight (M.O.I.) Rating - 80
BESR Certified 2-5/8" barrel, -3 length-to-weight
Thin 31/32" tapered handle with Pro-Tack grip
Son is moving up to -3 bat and have just begun researching. He's 5-6, 125 or so and has been swinging a -5 the last two years. Still waiting for growth spurt, obviously. Any thoughts on how best to move forward on the bat search? Thanks.
Stealth Speed (95) BSS2 (-3)
Sizes
31" 28 oz.
32" 29 oz.
33" 30 oz.
34" 31 oz.
IMX™ Composite
Handle Flex Rating - 95 (Regular Handle Flex)
VRS™ Rating - 95
Hitting Area Rating - 100
Swing Weight (M.O.I.) Rating - 80
BESR Certified 2-5/8" barrel, -3 length-to-weight
Thin 31/32" tapered handle with Pro-Tack grip
Picking a bat is a personal thing. Hitting is so mental that the bat has to “feel good” to the batter more than anything else. I don't know this for a fact but I suspect there is very little difference between manufacturer's bats. I will put in here “it’s the Indian not the arrow” so someone else does not post this stupid, but true, statement.
For my son - he looked at, and swung, the various bats he could get his hands on at the stores in the area. He also tried bats from other teammates in BP and in games to make sure he really liked a bat. Once he found a bat he liked I went out and looked around for the best deal. I have purchased both of his bats on ebay from a dealer, with a warranty (make sure) with no problems and saved about $50 - $75 per bat.
Also pick a bat you think he will use for a couple of years. My son just moved up in size after using his old bat for 2.5 years. As a side comment he should only be using wood for BP. On BP days just prior to games he will take a round with his game bat. Just FYI he had an Exogrid that he loved, and just got a Easton Stealth stiff composite. (I have no idea what all the numbers mean – he just likes the bat)
For my son - he looked at, and swung, the various bats he could get his hands on at the stores in the area. He also tried bats from other teammates in BP and in games to make sure he really liked a bat. Once he found a bat he liked I went out and looked around for the best deal. I have purchased both of his bats on ebay from a dealer, with a warranty (make sure) with no problems and saved about $50 - $75 per bat.
Also pick a bat you think he will use for a couple of years. My son just moved up in size after using his old bat for 2.5 years. As a side comment he should only be using wood for BP. On BP days just prior to games he will take a round with his game bat. Just FYI he had an Exogrid that he loved, and just got a Easton Stealth stiff composite. (I have no idea what all the numbers mean – he just likes the bat)
If your looking into the stealths,I think for your sons size, he might like the flex handle better.The stiff handle is tougher for the littler guys.Thats what the bat guys I have talked to have said.
I also believe that some metal batts are more barrel heavy while some are more distributed weight.It really comes down to what your son likes.My son was on the smaller size starting HS and he liked the more evenly weighted bats, with a flex handle.others hate the flex handle.
The only problem is wood is barrel heavy and no flex handle.
Go to or call a bat company and talk to a represntative, they can help you .
My son swung a 29-32 his freshmen year, and sophmore year, and went to a 30-33 junior and senior and is still using that size in college.
I also believe that some metal batts are more barrel heavy while some are more distributed weight.It really comes down to what your son likes.My son was on the smaller size starting HS and he liked the more evenly weighted bats, with a flex handle.others hate the flex handle.
The only problem is wood is barrel heavy and no flex handle.
Go to or call a bat company and talk to a represntative, they can help you .
My son swung a 29-32 his freshmen year, and sophmore year, and went to a 30-33 junior and senior and is still using that size in college.
With just a dozen or so AB with a Demirini cf3black so far son's bat seems to have serious pop compared to his Omaha. We had used Omahas since he was nine and like the price, performance and durability.
He likes the feel, I like the sound, and we both like the pop.
They have come way down in price on Ebay too.
He likes the feel, I like the sound, and we both like the pop.
They have come way down in price on Ebay too.
I've done a bit more research on top-ended vs. balanced bats with the idea that the balanced weight might be better for a player his size. The Demarini CF4 is promoted as balanced and swinging lighter. Any thoughts? Any thoughts on comparison of the CF4 and East Stealth Speed?
quote:I've done a bit more research on top-ended vs. balanced bats with the idea that the balanced weight might be better for a player his size
Thats what we were told by a reputable bat company.
quote:Originally posted by jayhook:
has a swing weight of 80 - is the lower the rating better or not necessarily?
ip
Swing with of 80 (or lower swing weight) means the bat is more balanced. Swing weight of 100 on Easton , means its more End loaded, and will hit the ball further then a light swing weight bat (all things being equal)
I'd say in general for kids, a balanced bat is best, it gives more control and a faster swing. Use endloaded bat if you realy want more power in your swing and can make contact consistantly.
BTW I read somewhere 2 piece bats will not be used soon, dont remember when , or why
quote:BTW I read somewhere 2 piece bats will not be used soon, dont remember when , or why
I read that as well.
From another site that I go to:
"A memo in part from the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee:
SUBJECT: Composite Bat Moratorium.
This correspondence is being sent on behalf of the Baseball Rules Committee, alerting the college baseball bat manufacturing community to an important action being taken in regard to certain bats that have been used in NCAA competition. After significant dialog and review of research collected during the Division I Baseball Championship, the committee is proposing an immediate and indefinite moratorium on the use of composite barreled bats. The committee believes this action is needed in order to protect the integrity of the game and to enhance the safety of the student-athletes. "
The owner of a bat company posted it.
"A memo in part from the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee:
SUBJECT: Composite Bat Moratorium.
This correspondence is being sent on behalf of the Baseball Rules Committee, alerting the college baseball bat manufacturing community to an important action being taken in regard to certain bats that have been used in NCAA competition. After significant dialog and review of research collected during the Division I Baseball Championship, the committee is proposing an immediate and indefinite moratorium on the use of composite barreled bats. The committee believes this action is needed in order to protect the integrity of the game and to enhance the safety of the student-athletes. "
The owner of a bat company posted it.
Wow, better wait and see how this shakes out before I make the composite bat purchase I was planning. Thanks for the heads up.
They are gone.
MEMORANDUM
July 17, 2009
TO: College Baseball Bat Manufacturers.
FROM: Bob Brontsema, chair
NCAA Baseball Rules Committee.
SUBJECT: Composite Bat Moratorium.
This correspondence is being sent on behalf of the Baseball Rules Committee, alerting the college baseball bat manufacturing community to an important action being taken in regard to certain bats that have been used in NCAA competition. After significant dialog and review of research collected during the Division I Baseball Championship, the committee is proposing an immediate and indefinite moratorium on the use of composite barreled bats. The committee believes this action is needed in order to protect the integrity of the game and to enhance the safety of the student-athletes.
Before the committee’s recent meeting, numerous concerns were voiced by the membership with a request for action. After a thorough review of compliance testing and a review of the improved performance of composite bats, often exceeding NCAA acceptable limits, these concerns have proven to be valid. Therefore, the committee has decided to put an immediate and indefinite moratorium on the use of composite bats in NCAA competition.
The research reviewed included compliance testing during the Division I Baseball Championship. During this testing, 80 percent of the composite bats tested failed the current NCAA performance level. Because all bat designs must pass this test before mass production, this research indicates that the performance of such bats changed thereafter, most likely due to repeated, normal use and/or intentional alteration. Offensive statistics at the Division I level also indicate a significant increase in batting averages and home runs the past two seasons.
By proposing a moratorium, the committee is not necessarily discarding the possibility of a return of composite bats to NCAA competition at some point in the future, and looks forward to working with manufacturers in an attempt to find a solution towards that end.
The committee requests your feedback and proposed solutions to this issue. Please send any feedback to xx ****** at the NCAA (******x@ncaa.org).
Thank you for your attention to this memorandum.
BB:nkb
MEMORANDUM
July 17, 2009
TO: College Baseball Bat Manufacturers.
FROM: Bob Brontsema, chair
NCAA Baseball Rules Committee.
SUBJECT: Composite Bat Moratorium.
This correspondence is being sent on behalf of the Baseball Rules Committee, alerting the college baseball bat manufacturing community to an important action being taken in regard to certain bats that have been used in NCAA competition. After significant dialog and review of research collected during the Division I Baseball Championship, the committee is proposing an immediate and indefinite moratorium on the use of composite barreled bats. The committee believes this action is needed in order to protect the integrity of the game and to enhance the safety of the student-athletes.
Before the committee’s recent meeting, numerous concerns were voiced by the membership with a request for action. After a thorough review of compliance testing and a review of the improved performance of composite bats, often exceeding NCAA acceptable limits, these concerns have proven to be valid. Therefore, the committee has decided to put an immediate and indefinite moratorium on the use of composite bats in NCAA competition.
The research reviewed included compliance testing during the Division I Baseball Championship. During this testing, 80 percent of the composite bats tested failed the current NCAA performance level. Because all bat designs must pass this test before mass production, this research indicates that the performance of such bats changed thereafter, most likely due to repeated, normal use and/or intentional alteration. Offensive statistics at the Division I level also indicate a significant increase in batting averages and home runs the past two seasons.
By proposing a moratorium, the committee is not necessarily discarding the possibility of a return of composite bats to NCAA competition at some point in the future, and looks forward to working with manufacturers in an attempt to find a solution towards that end.
The committee requests your feedback and proposed solutions to this issue. Please send any feedback to xx ****** at the NCAA (******x@ncaa.org).
Thank you for your attention to this memorandum.
BB:nkb
