LA Times Article on bats in College ball

I watched Oregon struggle at the plate all season long. Their team batting average was .258 on the season.

It really calls into question Horton's recruiting eye. It's probably not that hard to identify a kid who is strong enough to hit the long ball with a flawed swing. But these new bats put a premium on pure hitting skills.

That's probably harder to identify as a recruiter.

Good post Rob. And there are kids who can make the adjustments and those who can not. Or are will to and those who are not willing to.

There is nothing wrong with the new bats. In fact imo they will help kids become better hitters. What they will not allow is success for a hitter who will not adjust or can not adjust.

Rob,
I believe current players were recruited prior to bbcor implementation.
Certainly having several freshman in the starting lineup could effect team batting average. Oregon had series wins over Oregon State, Stanford, Arizona...I think Horton's eye is just fine. 14 one run losses could leave anyone lamenting however if you read the LA Times article Horton blamed coaching and poor execution for their losses not the bats. I also agree with Serrano's assesment that with the new bats the most important stat to look atwhen recruiting is doubles.

Nice read BOF..Thanks..

Do they have an article comparing all bat manufacturer's performance? I know Perfect Game endorses Rawlings.

RR23

My son has started swinging the BBCOR this summer here in Tx. Actually doing pretty well, not as many deep but hitting more opo which is getting him more attention. 2013 varsity starter.
He is using the Marucci Cat5 for those who might ask.

When will amateur baseball people stop falling for bats scientifically-designed to perform 'like wood', when anyone can just buy bats that are 'are wood'?

Out in LF you have a PM.

quote:

Horton blamed coaching and poor execution for their losses not the bats.

Well, the proof is in the results. team BA of .258 is pretty darn low.

Most, many recruiters work the summer tournaments were most play is with wood. They should be able to spot hitters since what the kid used in high school is almost irrelevant these days.

The bats play different than wood as the sweet spot is farther down from the end and the metal bats aren't as head heavy as wood. I believe most pure hitters would prefer wood over BBCOR any day.

I keep hearing that hitters prefer wood but am yet to hear of anyone choosing to swing wood this year....bbcor far outperforms wood in testing and in real-life baseball.

My son (2013) is using BBCOR this summer. Nike MC2. my 2 cents ...
Per advice from his hitting coach...Began using it about 2 months ago during BP to help begin the "adjustment". My obervations...BBCOR Not as much pop, smaller "sweet" spot...but learning to hit more line drives, and using the entire field. Alot less emphasis on hitting the HR...if they happen they happen because he is driving the ball, Not thinking about hitting the big fly.Just working more on being consistent in swing mechanics, and his approach at the plate.
All in all will go along way into helping him in becoming a better all around hitter.