New Season - New Bat - Which One?
by Coach John Peter
It seems like every season you need to buy a new bat. And every year, they seem to be more expensive with more choices to choose from.
No, it's not your imagination.
The short of it is that though it has been said that it is the Indian and not the arrow. cheap just isn't worth it and in many cases the most expensive isn't necessarily the answer either! Confused yet?
How To Choose
- Use your budget as your guide.
- Use your player to guide your purchase and also to determine the best size.
Click here to see our sizing chart to use as a guideline.
- Know your weight drop.
A weight drop is the ratio between length of the bat and weight of the bat. For example, High School and college players MUST have a bat that is no lighter than 3 oz. less than its length. So, a 33" long bat can weigh no less than 30 oz.
This is known as a 33" -3.
If uncertain of your leagues rules, ask a league coach.
If you have started practice, swing the new(er) bats your teammates are swinging.
Why? Because manufacturers change models yearly so you only want to fall in love with a current-model bat currently available for purchase. You might even inquire as to the cost from players and parents.
On The Cheap
Cheap bats are made cheap.period. If your budget demands spending less, a better solution may be to look at "Play It Again Sports" for a "recycled" higher-end bat or borrow until you can purchase better quality. Or hold off and save up.
FYI
1 - As a rule.any store that sells diapers, motor oil or Hot Pockets does not sell bats worth purchasing!
2 - Also note that in general, the best quality bats are usually price protected, meaning sellers all must charge the same price until that model becomes a "last year's model" or is replaced.
3 - High School & College Players, make sure your bat has a BESR stamp on it. This stands for Ball Exit Speed Ratio and certifies that the ball cannot leave the bat head at over 93 MPH (as of this writing).
It is usually displayed on the barrel as a baseball with BESR typed on it.
(We only offer BESR certified bats in our high school and college models!)
The Best
Will you become the best hitter you can be by purchasing a $329 "best-bat"?
NO.but you definitely will not be at your best if you swing junk!
So.buy what your budget will allow no matter what that budget is (see On The Cheap).
OK.but again, how to choose.and which bat?!
Here Are Two Ideas
1 - Go with the model (not just the brand) that more Big Time College Programs use. Face it - these guys are all solicited by all the major bat makers.
That means that it becomes a choice or preference for many of these programs.
Louisville Slugger probably has more of these top tier teams than anyone else. If you buy the bat model(s) that they buy, you will know that you are swinging a best quality model.
2 - Boutique brands. Our company specializes in instruction and training aids for baseball and fastpitch softball players. No jocks, no uniforms, no trading cards.
We offer what's NEW, UNUSUAL & UNIQUE!
One of our specialty business partners develops our pro quality gloves and bats without the big name. They are a company of ex-players and current baseball fanatics who specialize in best-quality, no compromise products..a true specialty company!
Great quality, great looks and high performance.these are companies who manufacture based on having on-the-field experience as ballplayers. They have to be better simply because they compete against names that have been around for 3 generations!
These products can flat out save you $$!
In Summary
Buy the best you can budget, postpone purchases where junk or nothing is the temporary option, consider saving money buying "boutique brands" who specialize in these items AND buy from companies who specialize in baseball and are there to answer your questions.
 Coach JP's Picks
We'll even ship to you for FREE
The Louisville Slugger Dynasty
 $259.95 + FREE Shipping
Every season Louisville Slugger's two top bats are at the College World Series. The Dynasty was THE bat last season. Good balance, dent resistance, sound and looks make it a good choice in its price range. The ST +20 Aluminum alloy is touted as a 20% increase in "hardness" for quicker trampoline effect.
Available for most age and size players.
The Louisville Slugger Omaha
$199 + FREE Shipping
This is the 2nd bat used by so many big time college players. I personally think it swings very similarly to the Dynasty, but it does have the standard Scandium XS aluminum alloy. A good 2nd choice.
Available for most age and size players.
The Akadema Catapult Extension
$189 + FREE Shipping
My son's college team presently swings the Louisville Dynasty. My son swings a Catapult. The features he likes are that it has a barrel that flares out to maximum closer to the handle and that there is a 2 oz. counterweight that has been placed inside the handle at the knob. This creates a lever that he feels makes him just a hair quicker and creates additional bat speed.
I agree but I also like the reasonable price for this much bat!
Available in -3 oz. for High School, College & Adult League players.
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