Baseball is a sport where your equipment can make or break your performance. If you have the skills to knock the ball out of the park but don’t have a quality bat, you might find yourself striking out more often than not.
The right baseball bat for you depends on a few factors, primarily your skill level and swing form. However, there are a few key things every player should keep an eye out for when upgrading their baseball bat.
In this article: Marucci Posey 28 USSSA (-10) MCBP2810S Senior League Baseball Bat, Easton 2022 Maxum Ultra USA Baseball Bat and Louisville Slugger 2021 BBCOR Meta (-3) Baseball Bat.
A two-piece bat is one where the handle is made from one material and the barrel from another. Two-piece bats offer excellent flex and are great for players of all skill levels, especially beginners looking to get more speed behind their swing. One-piece bats don’t offer much flex, but they’re ideal for heavy hitters looking for a bat that can help them capitalize on their powerful swings.
Baseball bats are made of aluminum, composite or wood materials.
A bat’s drop weight is the difference between its length and weight and is used as a guide to indicate a player’s preference for how heavy they want their bat to be. To calculate the drop weight, subtract the weight in ounces from the length of the bat in inches.
For example, a bat with a -3 drop weight indicates a bat is three ounces lighter than the length of the bat. A bat with a greater drop weight would feel lighter and easier to swing for the average player than a bat with a lower drop weight.
It’s best to check with your league before buying a bat, but in most cases, for adults or senior players, any baseball bat you use for official games should be certified by the Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution. BBCOR regulates how much energy is lost when the ball makes contact with the ball and ensures that an aluminum bat performs similarly to a traditional wood bat.
Q. How long does it take for an aluminum bat to wear out?
A. It depends on its build quality and how often it’s used, but an aluminum bat should generally work optimally for two to three years.
Q. Are BBCOR-certified bats required for youth players?
A. No. Youth leagues usually require baseball bats certified by USABat or the United States Specialty Sports Association.
Marucci Posey 28 USSSA (-10) MCBP2810S Senior League Baseball Bat
This aluminum bat has a prominent sweet spot and thin barrel walls for a higher response rate. The ring-free barrel construction delivers superior flex, and the anti-vibration knob offers a secure feel and reduced shock.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Easton 2022 Maxum Ultra USA Baseball Bat
This bat has a seamless carbon construction that gives players the stiffness of a one-piece bat and the sweet spot of a composite bat. Plus, the re-balanced swing height helps players generate more speed and power.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Louisville Slugger 2021 BBCOR Meta (-3) Baseball Bat
With a patented 3FX connection system, this bat is engineered to give players a stiff feel upon contact and significantly reduced vibration. It has a premium end cap and lets players swing with balanced power and speed.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Marucci CAT9 Composite Pastime BBCOR Bat 2021 (-3)
The composite barrel is constructed with patterned layers for an ultra-responsive feel. It has a wide sweet spot and a medium moment of inertia between end-loaded and balanced, making it suitable for players of all skill levels.
Where to buy: Dick’s Sporting Goods
DeMarini CF USSSA Bat 2022 (-5)
Players looking for a bat with a streamlined design that’s engineered to help them generate more speed will love this, thanks to its Paraflex Plus composite barrel. It has a large sweet spot and provides a superior feel and responsiveness upon contact.
Where to buy: Dick’s Sporting Goods
Victus Nox BBCOR Bat 2021 (-3)
This bat has a two-piece hybrid design consisting of a carbon composite handle and a military-grade aluminum barrel. It has vibration dampening rings, dual-band technology and additional mass integrated into the barrel for increased energy transfer.
Where to buy: Dick’s Sporting Goods
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Kevin Luna writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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