Looking to pick up a wood bat for my son who will be using wood most of the season. Like to find a balanced wood bat - what model would you suggest in Ash and Maple? What are the differences in the model bats 271,110,243,etc?
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You can google those models and get a good overview of the differences between them. It appears that the 271 is balanced and the 243 is loaded in the club head. The 110 sounds like a balanced transitional bat from aluminum to wood.
Exeryone seems to like Maple these days with the thinner handle.
Exeryone seems to like Maple these days with the thinner handle.
The TPX C271 Pro Stock Ash is a nice balanced bat...
MAPLE, MAPLE, MAPLE.
Ash does not last very long, as the barrel tends to split pretty quickly.
If you search, you can find maple at a reasonable price.
Lefty
Ash does not last very long, as the barrel tends to split pretty quickly.
If you search, you can find maple at a reasonable price.
Lefty
Trying to figure out what model bat. What are the differences in the model 271, 110 and 243? If i go with Maple bat maple is heavier so what model is a balanced bat? Looking to get a balanced type nothing to end-loaded or heavy.
My son likes balanced bats and he always liked and used the Old Hickory KG1.
kaos - did you even read my response? The 271 is BALANCED. You can google it if you like...
You might want to pick one up and swing it to be sure.
If you or your guy is smaller, try the 110.
You might want to pick one up and swing it to be sure.
If you or your guy is smaller, try the 110.
I know a tab bit about bats (even though I'm "Glove Man")
Ash- Flexible, traditional wood for a long time, less dense (hardness) than Maple or Birch. Different grade qualities from just above firewood to MLB Grade.
Birch- Not as flexible as ash, yet more dense. Still less dense (hardness) than ash. Growing popularity means it's hard to find good quality Birch wood these days. Happy Medium between Ash and Maple.
Maple- Not very flexible, dense (hard surface, heavier wood).
271- is an extremely well balanced bat, medium handle with nice transition to a med/lg barrel
110- another well balanced bat with a thicker handle and a decent transition to a med/lg barrel
243- barrel heavy bat, medium handle shorter transition to a longer barrel. This bat is for usually for big strong hitters. For these to make weight a lighter less dense billet needs to be used. 243s, if done properly have a -1 or even weight drop. Add that on top of being barrel heavy...
Average weight drop for wood should be -2. If it's anything less than that, the companies are using a lighter billet which impacts the density and durability, also they may be using a billet with a lower moisture content. Low moisture = brittle wood = easily broken.
Personally I have switched from 271 Ash to 141 Birch. It has a smaller barrel than a 271 but it allows us to use a heavier more dense billet and still make weight.
Hope this helps.
Ash- Flexible, traditional wood for a long time, less dense (hardness) than Maple or Birch. Different grade qualities from just above firewood to MLB Grade.
Birch- Not as flexible as ash, yet more dense. Still less dense (hardness) than ash. Growing popularity means it's hard to find good quality Birch wood these days. Happy Medium between Ash and Maple.
Maple- Not very flexible, dense (hard surface, heavier wood).
271- is an extremely well balanced bat, medium handle with nice transition to a med/lg barrel
110- another well balanced bat with a thicker handle and a decent transition to a med/lg barrel
243- barrel heavy bat, medium handle shorter transition to a longer barrel. This bat is for usually for big strong hitters. For these to make weight a lighter less dense billet needs to be used. 243s, if done properly have a -1 or even weight drop. Add that on top of being barrel heavy...
Average weight drop for wood should be -2. If it's anything less than that, the companies are using a lighter billet which impacts the density and durability, also they may be using a billet with a lower moisture content. Low moisture = brittle wood = easily broken.
Personally I have switched from 271 Ash to 141 Birch. It has a smaller barrel than a 271 but it allows us to use a heavier more dense billet and still make weight.
Hope this helps.
Glove Man, great summary!
IMO a bat is a feel thing. Regardless of the type of wood or model it must feel good in your hands. IMO you need to go to your local sports shop and get some wood in your hands.
That did not come out right.
Lefty
IMO a bat is a feel thing. Regardless of the type of wood or model it must feel good in your hands. IMO you need to go to your local sports shop and get some wood in your hands.
That did not come out right.
Lefty
Oops, I made a mistake about Birch properties. Birch is More dense than Ash. More flexible than Maple.
Good stuff, all.
I personally like a thin handle, usually the 110, 271 models.
I got a few "Blem" bats from Old Hickory. 3 maples for $120. Although some people are weary of "blems" because they think it is inferior wood grade, I have found that my Old Hickory bats are as solid as they come. The difference in these as compared to other blems I've had are they may have not met specifications for their exact retail bats, whether it be due to weight distribution or perhaps they are slightly misshapen. For the price, a very good deal imho. Although you are taking a bit of a gamble due to the nature of blem bats. As a reference, 2 of my bats have thin handles, while the other has a thin handle with a flared knob.
However, as others have suggested, it may be best to go to the sporting goods store and have him feel around for what he likes.
Bamboo is a durable alternative as well, and I've liked the product Mizuno puts out for both bamboo and maple.
Hopefully this will help!
I personally like a thin handle, usually the 110, 271 models.
I got a few "Blem" bats from Old Hickory. 3 maples for $120. Although some people are weary of "blems" because they think it is inferior wood grade, I have found that my Old Hickory bats are as solid as they come. The difference in these as compared to other blems I've had are they may have not met specifications for their exact retail bats, whether it be due to weight distribution or perhaps they are slightly misshapen. For the price, a very good deal imho. Although you are taking a bit of a gamble due to the nature of blem bats. As a reference, 2 of my bats have thin handles, while the other has a thin handle with a flared knob.
However, as others have suggested, it may be best to go to the sporting goods store and have him feel around for what he likes.
Bamboo is a durable alternative as well, and I've liked the product Mizuno puts out for both bamboo and maple.
Hopefully this will help!
