Decision time: New bat

Can only compare the red white and blue Exo (which is the one I think your son has) and the 2008 - the one with the black barrel with yellow and red. The 2008 is essentially the same bat - 2B really liked the weight distribution of the white exo, it just lost its pop after a couple of years. He took forever to pick out a new one, but stuck with what worked and is very satisfied with the 08.

I have never been a good comparison shopper and cannot comment on the different makes and models.

One very difficult part about buying a bat is the cost and the "he'll grow into ...". My son switched to a 33 early in his jr. year,only to switch back to 32 near the end of spring. He was often chided about bat size and when asked about switching to 33 his senior year he was not interested. He had a great year at plate with the 32. Be careful about buying a bat which he'll "grow into". I know cost is a big factor, but he may never want to change bat size.

My son has a '08 TPX Omaha, he loves it's pop
and it has been very durable.

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Be careful about buying a bat which he'll "grow into".

I would never buy a bat to grow into it. My concern is buying a bat he will outgrow before it's time. That's why I'm considering the Omaha. It's $100-$160 less. However, chances are price won't end up being a consideration. I'm just trying to be smart and sensical.

I just purchased a 2009 exo on ebay for $279. Arrived a couple days ago and as advertized brand new. Check out ebay. This might help with the cost. Son loves his exo and seems to last a long time.

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Originally posted by gimages:
I just purchased a 2009 exo on ebay for $279. Arrived a couple days ago and as advertized brand new. Check out ebay. This might help with the cost. Son loves his exo and seems to last a long time.

For the 07 and 08 season we bought a new 06 EXO off Ebay for $220.

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I don't like the half & half Technology at all.

kbat, 2B agrees with you. He goes by feel. I have learned to never, ever buy a bat until he has held that very bat in his very own hands. Same with gloves. My, how times have changed in our family - used to be the most expensive, most glitzy one was what he wanted. I'll never buy bats or gloves online again.

It's funny, though. We call Dick's or Sports Authority and ask for a specific bat so that he can take a look at it, and they say, "it's not baseball season - we don't have those in stock right now." We live in Florida - it's always baseball season! We found the 08 exo in Jupiter during the 16U nationals. But most places will order the bat for you so that the player can take a look for himself. If he doesn't like it, they can always sell it to someone else.

RJM, how do you know he's going to outgrow it? Like Double Eagle points out, what works works. Just because he gets bigger doesn't mean he's going to want or need a bigger bat.

Easy for us to spend your money though.

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how do you know he's going to outgrow it?

He already borrowing 33/30's against slower pitching. Switching this year was a consideration. He decided to wait. He was 5'4", 115 when he started swinging a 32/29 two years ago. He's 6'0", 157 now.

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I don't know what's the difference between 2008 and 2009 EXO, anyone knows?

A LS source told me "the price."

I'd still let the young man pick out his own bat. 32/29, 33/30, 34/31, whatever feels good in his hands and he feels confident with against the pitching he will face this spring and summer.