Fact or fiction about metal bats

Both are true under different circumstances. If it is a new bbcor break it in during batting practice it will get better.

quote:

Originally posted by NYer:
I have heard both sides of these issues so many times and am curious on people's thoughts:

1) you need to "break in" a new bat;

2) don't waste using a good/new bat in batting practice because you will "make it lose it's pop".

Any facts to back up either of these facts/myths?

1. Recommended by Manufacturers

2. Known by Parents

I would think that, in a short 2-month HS season, it would be fine to use the same bat in BP as games? How much pop is it going to lose in 2 months?

quote:

Originally posted by NYer:
I have heard both sides of these issues so many times and am curious on people's thoughts:

1) you need to "break in" a new bat;

2) don't waste using a good/new bat in batting practice because you will "make it lose it's pop".

Any facts to back up either of these facts/myths?

Neither is true with regard to BBCOR bats. The metal doesn't flex. Since it lacks springiness, you don't need to jump-start its springiness. Or be concerned about losing its springiness.

Don't expect the manufacturers to share the truth: our sons could use the same BBCOR bat for their entire career. Though you'd have a one-time $5 expenditure for a roll of hockey tape to re-tape the handle every spring.

Not entirely true freddy, some BBCOR bats have inserts inside the barrel to help the bat meet bbcor standards. I believe ove an extended period of time that integrity of these inserts will break down or weaken thus increasing the performance of the bat. Some bats have simply thickened the bat walls, which are less likely to "loosen" up or "Break in"

quote:

Originally posted by lefthookdad:
Not entirely true freddy, some BBCOR bats have inserts inside the barrel to help the bat meet bbcor standards. I believe ove an extended period of time that integrity of these inserts will break down or weaken thus increasing the performance of the bat. Some bats have simply thickened the bat walls, which are less likely to "loosen" up or "Break in"

Lefthook,
College baseball messed up big-time a few years by allowing composites that improved beyond the rules after break-in.

Programs that swung those bats had a genuine advantage.

You maintain that certain types of BBCOR bats improve beyond the new rules. Assuming that you're correct, then it's amazing that all these smart college administrators are butt-stupid enough to once again have a truck-sized loophole in their bat regs.

1. Players should be using wood (or wood composite) for all BP.

2. Use your game bat during pregame BP. (or day before if HS)

3. It is the indian not the arrow...
(Sorry I just love to print that)

quote:

Originally posted by freddy77:

quote:

Originally posted by lefthookdad:
Not entirely true freddy, some BBCOR bats have inserts inside the barrel to help the bat meet bbcor standards. I believe ove an extended period of time that integrity of these inserts will break down or weaken thus increasing the performance of the bat. Some bats have simply thickened the bat walls, which are less likely to "loosen" up or "Break in"

Lefthook,
College baseball messed up big-time a few years by allowing composites that improved beyond the rules after break-in.

Programs that swung those bats had a genuine advantage.

You maintain that certain types of BBCOR bats improve beyond the new rules. Assuming that you're correct, then it's amazing that all these smart college administrators are butt-stupid enough to once again have a truck-sized loophole in their bat regs.

I was just stating my opinion about the bats that have inserts or rings, or whatever the company calls it, stand a far greater chance of either the ring or insert shifting, deteriorating or simply failing. Composites bats went through this in mens softball. I have seen bats opened and the inserts removed. I have seen bats that the rings have failed to maintain integrity over an extended period of time.

With the BBCOR bats have we seen any testing of the first batch of BBCOR bats (post ABI) that have this type of design in use to see if they still test within specs?

They may very well hold thier integrity to standards, I don't know and I don't know of anyone who has looked back at the original models to see.

I know break in is/was important for composite bats in the past. Don't know if this is still the case for BBCOR composits.

Metal bats, as others have said, really make no difference. I suppose the inside rings could loosen but no one honestly knows how long that would take and I suspect that testing has shown that they hold up longer than most people expect for a standard life of a bat. A lot of this stuff said is theory right now.

Personally, I think practicing with a bat is important just so the kid can get a feel for the bat, especially if he hasn't hit with that model before.