What's the best BBCOR bat?

Seeing endorsements of Rawlings 5150, including that of PG Staff, perhaps in another thread. Only finding 2011 models, listing at $199.99. Apparently there may be a 2012 5150 out there for the same $199.99. They also have the 5150 Velo for $249.99, which is recommended by the web site noted below.

Son wants the new Rawlings Machine, at $299.99

Anyone have an opinion? Web site says:

Rawlings 2012 Machine -3 Adult Baseball Bat (BBCOR)

Precision-Optimized Performance™ (pOp™) barrel technology for championship performance due to superior balance and swing speed. Bi/fusion composite flex handle for 50% more handle flex than 5150 one-piece alloy bats. Ph.D™ technology on the inside and Exogrid® Taper Technology on the outside. NCAA® approved.

-3 adult bat. BBCOR certified. 2 5/8" barrel.
Available Sizes: 31"/28 oz., 32"/29 oz., 33"/30 oz., 34"/31 oz.



Also, found a web site comparing the two:

http://compositebats.com/rawli...eball-bats-reviewed/

where this was written:

The 5150 stays in the 2012 lineup and remains unchanged from 2011. Rawlings is introducing the 5150 Velo, selling for $249.95 it is based on the 5150 Alloy, but comes with an upgraded end cap that takes away vibration and makes the bat feel more solid.

The Rawlings Machine BBCOR uses the 5150 alloy barrel but has a composite handle, making this $300 BBCOR the comfortable to swing, but also the most end loaded.

The good thing about the 2012 Rawlings BBCOR bats is they are all a little different, and you can tell the minute you hit them.

Here’s a quick break down of the 2012 Rawlings BBCOR bats:

Rawlings 5150 BBCOR – Model BBCA – $199


Rawlings 5150 Alloy BBCOR Bat

Same bat as 2011. No changes.
One piece all aluminum
Loud ping
Very balanced
A little bit of vibration, not much, but the most of all three of the bats
Has a hollow, almost golf club feeling when the ball is struck


Rawlings 5150 Velo BBCOR – Model BB51V – $249


Rawlings 5150 Velo BBCOR Bat

New for 2012
One piece all aluminum
Nice ping sound, but not as loud as original 5150
Very balanced
Little to no vibration due to the new end cap
Feels more solid when the ball is hit


Rawlings Machine BBCOR – BBMC – $299


Rawlings Machine BBCOR Bat

New for 2012
Composite handle with 5150 aluminum alloy barrel
Least ping sound of all, but sounds good
End loaded
No vibration
Feels great when hitting the ball


We enjoyed all three bats, but if I was going to buy one, it would be the Velo 5150. All the bats have the same “pop” and the Velo being balanced with pretty much no vibration makes it hard to beat.

My son is using the Machine and really likes it. He wanted an end loaded bat like his wood and this one felt the best. Two of his teammates also liked it and bought their own.

I did a search but couldn't easily find an answer to this: My bat dealer says don't use the new metal BBCOR until its over 60 out, and never in a cage. My son says it needs to be 'broken-in' and he wants to hit real baseballs in the cage.

Which extreme is the right one?

At this point, I want to convince my son to make sure both the bat and the balls are in a 60 degree environment for at least 30 minutes and then only take 10 reps with it for feel in a cage.

Anyone?

I actually went through a search this offseason due to the change. We ended up buying the Easton S1 series. It is a composite bat that is BBCOR certified and is regarded as the top option on the market. Big downside though: you pay for it. $400 a bat!
I asked my bat person about the 60 degree thing and he said he had not heard that before. NCAA used them in all types of weather last year and there was no problems with them.

quote:

Originally posted by RedSoxFan21:
I did a search but couldn't easily find an answer to this: My bat dealer says don't use the new metal BBCOR until its over 60 out, and never in a cage. My son says it needs to be 'broken-in' and he wants to hit real baseballs in the cage.

Which extreme is the right one?

At this point, I want to convince my son to make sure both the bat and the balls are in a 60 degree environment for at least 30 minutes and then only take 10 reps with it for feel in a cage.

Anyone?

The temperature issues you mention really has more to do with composite bats rather than metal bats. Due to the materials of many composite bats, low temperatures make them more susceptible to cracking and ultimately to failure. With metal bats, this 60 degree issues really isn't much of an issues at all.

Now, with that understood, temperature does affect game performance on all bats and balls. Just how much effect depends on the material and the forces involved. Metal bats, wood bats and composite bats will all perform better if they are kept warm. And they will all fail at some low temperature depending on the materials of the bat (including wood).

quote:

Originally posted by RedSoxFan21:
Apparently there may be a 2012 5150 out there for the same $199.99.

The 2011 model was unchanged. They may not be advertising the 5150 as a 2012, even though they are still making it in 2012. And, it does have some vibration to it like the review says. But it is minimal at best and usually due to a poorly hit ball. I took a few cuts with one (2011/12 5150) the other day.

Some great recommendaions on BBCOR bats by category here Baseball Bat Reviews

FYI... The Marucci Cat 5 33" has been banned.

Can anybody provide input on the Easton SC 33 BBCOR bat?

Looking into getting a new bat for a HS frosh.  What bats are becoming the favorite BB-Cores this Spring?

We did a test just yesterday with 20 high school players.  Using Zepp, Hittrax we compiled data on every swing.  Two major brands were being used with both being painted black. 

 

After compiling all the information and asking each hitter which bat he like the most. The results were astounding.

 

17 of the 20 players choose the same companies bat. The data proved similar to the 20 to 3 results.

 

I can say the bat that 17 of 20 players picked was a Louisville Slugger bat.  I am not real comfortable in mentioning the other company, but they are one of the biggest. It didn't seem to make any difference whether they were swinging 33" or 34" models.

 

We plan to do more testing in order to get a better idea for what kids like the best.

Rip It bats are worth considering:

 

http://www.justbatreviews.com/...helium-review-bbcor/

 

temporarily banned from from college baseball in 2011 due to excessive speed of balls coming off their signature bat - since redesigned but still a great bat. 

Thanks for that. Which LS model was it?

 

That is interesting since I just visited with a friend whose kid committed to play at Tulane next year and he is using a LS bat.  I presume he likes the bat, but part of the reason is LS has a contract with Tulane, so that is the brand he will use next year.

I am going to guess the LS Attack (now called LS Prime??) as I have heard lots of good reports about the way it performs though durability has been suspect in early models.

My son hit this winter with a Marucci Cat 6, and he loves it!

Kid is liking rawlings 5150.  Picked it after demoing several others.  I like the price.  

I know very little about pricing or durability.  I will have to ask what model of bats were used.  The other bat was not a Rawlings. The actual data from HiTrax and Zepp pretty much went right along with what the players preferred, for the most part.

Would love to see you expand the test over more bats and a greater sample (esp. by age, size, PG grade). The results will have far more impact than anything else published, from vendor evals to individual opinions. Fascinating stuff.

My opinion is the best BBCOR bat is the one your son feels the most comfortable swinging as far as length and balance.  I don't think there is one size fits all bat. 

 

 

 

My 2017 son loves the DeMarini, reduced from last year.  Using demarini since he was six. 

http://www.justbats.com/produc...P5yMMCFQkkgQodpIsACw

 

 

Any others recommendations that have the same balance of a wood bat?

I like to watch college baseball, and when the skinny middle infielders are hitting balls off the wall I start looking at what bat they use. It's not an exact science, bat speed and squaring a ball up she be considered of course. But it is information that I value.

Depends on the wood bat -- they are not all the same.  In general there are 2 kinds of bats in terms of weighting -- balanced or end loaded.  For end-loaded, which tends to be what stronger power hitters use, you cannot do better IMHO than the bat linked above by 2ndMarines.   A friend of mine collected stats a few years back and said that more college HRs were hit with that bat than any other.  For a balanced bat, which tends to be what a contact hitter uses, look at the Easton S1.  But I'd also look at LS bats in light of that PG says above. That's very interesting.  

 

It's most important for your kid to swing bats at the store and/or try friends' bats to see what he likes.  Also, if he happens to be a frosh try not to spend too much money.  He'll be bigger and stronger next year and want a bigger one.

Have you guys heard anything about the Marucci CAT 6 or seen many kids using them?

I have two boys playing and both have new bats for the season this year.  I had both of them swing demo bats, friends bats, etc until they were absolutely positive of what they wanted and though felt best to them.  Oldest went with the S1, younger son went with the LS 715.  It took them about a month of swinging different bats for them to decide.  I didn't steer them towards any particular bat, I'm not the one that has to step into the box with it.

That is a great way to pick a bat.  I wish I could find a place that would let the kids take bats out for live BP to help them decide.

My son LOVES this bat!  He used a teammates bat this winter, and we just got him one last week.  1st BP with it yesterday, and he hit 4 out.  Not sure if it is the "Indian" or the "Arrow", but I would think it is a little bit of both...