Why are players struggling with BBCOR?

quote:

Originally posted by Ninthmanout:
Why are HS players having a hard time hitting with BBCOR bat? Simply because the ball does not come off the bat as fast as it did with BESR bats; with or without the “Magic BBCOR” swing.
Offensive stats are down across the board.
Infielders are getting to more ground balls, outfielders are able to run down more fly balls, and because the balls are not travelling as far, the outfielders do not play as deep and can take away more hits.
Homeruns are way down. The Sac-Joaquin section (CA) leader had 9, two more than the next hitter’s total.
All this talk about the numbers being down because the kids don’t know how to hit is just a crock. Numbers are down because the bats have been deadened.
I have yet to hear one D1 college head coach being interviewed that like the new bats. At the beginning of the season TCU’s head coach said he thought that the “pre-BBCOR” bats were perfect for the college player. Just this last weekend, Clemson’s head coach said he doubts that they will change the bats again so he would like to see colleges go to the MLB baseball because it’s livelier. Last Saturday (6/2/12) I was watching Manhattan playing Coastal Carolina (ESPNU or ESPN2) and they even showed a graphic of the ballpark showing arrows with the old bats the ball going 400’ and new bats going 375’ to the warning track. The announcers also talked about some schools are worried because with the decrease of offense there is a decrease in attendance. A lot of people liked the high output offense that made college baseball unique. Non-baseball fanatics get bored watching players bunt over runners. Kind of like watching golf on TV, avid golfers like it but to non-fanatics it’s like watching paint dry.
I’m also worried that more HS players will be tempted to use the juice to keep their numbers up.
Something else that bothers me a bit; twice on MLB games I have heard MLB scouts talk about metal bats and had no clue about BBCOR. That should be a concern.

No, disagree. The mechanics suck. Period. I could show you 50 guys at the HS level with bad mechanics for every 1 who is nearly "in the sequence/pattern". I know guys much bigger than me who used to out hit me until we went to BBCOR. Now it's I who out hits them.

What is your view on the conversion from aluminum to BBCOR bats in high school?

quote:

Originally posted by KGriffey31:
What is your view on the conversion from aluminum to BBCOR bats in high school?

Fundamentally, they're made of the same materials (aluminum with a scandium alloy), but I think the best thing about the switch is the fact that it forces the arms and hands hitters to use their entire bodies.

Personally, I believe that the switch to BBCOR bats (from BESR) is one of the best things to happen to high school baseball yet. I’m shocked it’s taken this long, but it’s about time. There are many reasons I’m convinced this was a great change.

First off the basic reason this was a great change is simply because of the safety of the fielders. Players should not have to wait on the ball to get hit in fear. They should be excited to make plays on the ball, without worrying about if the ball is going to take their face off.

The next reason the switch was a great idea is because it will show the real hitters from the mediocre ones. With the old BESR bats anyone could be a good hitter, there was no skill involved. I’m sick of seeing players with terrible mechanics, and form, making great contact with the ball. It’s simply not fair. Players who should be having great batting averages are those who are fundamentally great hitters that know what their doing at the plate. Players using all arms, and no hips, don’t deserve to have stand up doubles or even homeruns once in a while. There won’t be players swinging at last second, eye-level pitches and getting great hits anymore. Players will need to further learn how to choose their pitches. The change to BBCOR bats will finally show who the true hitters are from those who simply are just lucky at the plate.

Another concern I’ve heard about the conversion to BBCOR is that players and parents are all worried that the stats are going to drop and colleges won’t be as interested. This almost makes me laugh. People need to realize that ALL high school players are making the switch, not just certain high schools. Colleges are going to adjust their recruitment based on the change of the stats players have put up in the previous seasons. Colleges aren’t stupid. They will know what to expect from high school players with the new bats in use. Of course players need to realize they won’t be hitting as many home runs or get on base as easy as they once did, but they will need to learn battle harder with the pitcher and choose their pitchers more wisely. Also they will need to learn to run out every ground ball and not depend on the fielder to make an error. Because if there’s one position that the stats will go up, it will be the fielders. They’re jobs may get a little easier with the speed of ground balls, but other than that they should stay top notch with their fundamentals.

The final reason I believe the change is a good idea is plainly the cost. BBCOR bats are a huge improvement on people’s wallets, and are engineered to last. Unlike if they used wooden bats, which would only last so long.

In conclusion, I am a strong supporter of the conversion from BESR to BBCOR bats, in high school baseball.

Train with wood, hit with BBCOR in the game.  There is no substitute for learning to hit correctly.

My son has had the nob come off of 2 BBCOR bats in the past year. At least the last one came apart within a few months of getting that bat, so Demarini will replace it. Definitely not saving much money in the bat budget.

My son has switched exclussively to wood.  His average has gone from 285 to 325 as more balls are dropping in for base hits instead of reaching outfielders.  Some are making the mistake of moving in since he his using wood.  Those outfielders are getting burned as the ball flies over their head.