How long do bats last?

Does he used the bat to knock dirt off his spikes?

Bob

Metas will eventually wear out. Depends how many swings he takes with it, how many other kids use it, how hard he hits the ball, etc. My son has a 32 blue Meta that 4 other kids use. It still hits fine. I’m seeing a lot of red Metas going dead right now and those are a couple years old.

i thought composites get hotter until they break. alloys are the ones that "go dead"

These Metas are definitely dead. The kids tested them on the Trackman against other red Metas and the blue and black Metas (which surprisingly had the same results as the blue). I didn’t see if they had cracks but they don’t sound the same.

By a lot, I mean 4 out of the 6 kids that have a red Meta where my son hits. I know at least two of those were basically used as a team bat when they first came out and have taken a beating.

No he doesn’t use it to hit mud off his cleats.  His exit velo is 90+ he uses it for practice/lessons/games.  No one else uses it. No cracking, no rattles.  It’s the blue meta.  I think it’s just in his head, but didn’t know if anyone else has any experience.

oh it’s when I’m throwing to him.  I told him it’s probably because I’m throwing 40mph and not 80

@Dadof3 posted:

No he doesn’t use it to hit mud off his cleats.  His exit velo is 90+ he uses it for practice/lessons/games.  No one else uses it. No cracking, no rattles.  It’s the blue meta.  I think it’s just in his head, but didn’t know if anyone else has any experience.

oh it’s when I’m throwing to him.  I told him it’s probably because I’m throwing 40mph and not 80

Your last statement makes me believe his actual problem is finding the sweet spot on slow pitching. If his EV numbers haven't changed with the same bat, then it would be safe to say he is hitting the baseball off the end of the bat.

On a side note, I believe that the feel of the bat is a disadvantage when hitting with composites. Lack of feedback can be very deceiving at times. Especially, when you feel like you barreled one only to watch it die in the OF. 

Id think after a season (and a summer) of heavy use in cage and games itd be about time to get a new one....can sell the old one if need be

I am also seeing my son's red Meta Prime start to die out. We got it when it first came out. He used that bat his 14 year old year, the limited high school season last year and over the summer, and half the season this year for HS. There is another kid on his HS team that uses it also. My son switched back to his Goods because he sees the Meta starting to die. It is also breaking down. The rubber band around the connector piece peeled away. And now the plastic cuff at the connector has started to chip at the bottom.

Just a thought, composite barrels normally get hotter until they break. (Made so they break before they get too hot). It may be a possible that the connector piece is breaking down and causing more flex and in turn less Pop. Had that happen on a CF Zen. Bat ended up folding in half before the barrel broke.

TX, that’s interesting

Here is a pic of the folded Bat I was talking about. If I posted it right.

If I may ask a tangential question...what about wood bats?  This is the first year that my son has actually had wood bats survive from one year to the next.  Bought a few for Summer league last year and still has them.  Do they lose potency over time?

K9

Is the bat ash, oak or maple. If it ash it will need to have the gains "boned",

"Keep the bat in a cool, dry place – Keep your wooden bat away from damp areas, and extreme temperatures. Try not to let your bat come in contact with wet surfaces. If the bat does get wet make sure you carry a soft cloth with you to dry it off immediately, and rub it down with linseed oil."

Bob

@Consultant posted:

K9

Is the bat ash, oak or maple. If it ash it will need to have the gains "boned",

"Keep the bat in a cool, dry place – Keep your wooden bat away from damp areas, and extreme temperatures. Try not to let your bat come in contact with wet surfaces. If the bat does get wet make sure you carry a soft cloth with you to dry it off immediately, and rub it down with linseed oil."

Bob

Think they are all maple.  Thanks!

@Dadof3 posted:

oh it’s when I’m throwing to him.  I told him it’s probably because I’m throwing 40mph and not 80

The ball is always slower off of my BP than during live pitching.  We kind of just expect it.  When going against a fast pitching machine, the ball seems to travel more as well.