The Baseball Bat Reviews Blog

Looks like every college under contract with Nike has been let out of its commitment to use Nike baseball bats during the upcoming season. This is due to tremendous backlash from college teams that used Nike BBCOR bats last season. These teams showed signs of substandard offensive performance when compared to teams using non-Nike bats. The Tuscaloosa (AL) News broke the story, this is their article that was released on September 13, 2011:

TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama, along with every college under contract with Nike, has been released from its obligation to use Nike baseball bats in the upcoming season.

Alabama requested that Nike allow the school to use other manufacturers’ bats following the 2010-11 season.

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Easton’s long awaited Power Brigade bats have finally hit the market. This lineup follows Easton’s format of offering a 100% composite two-piece bat, hybrid two-piece bat and 100% alloy bat. The difference is that they will come in two different series. The Speed Series has a low (Easton says the lowest) swing weights (MOI), and the XL Series has a higher swing weight (MOI) and claims to have a longer barrel. The pricing is the same for both series, it’s just a matter of preference. All of the Brigade bats are BBCOR certified.

The Speed Series Bats:

• S1 – Two-Piece IMXTM Composite

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The 2012 baseball bat model year is upon us and the manufacturers are scrambling to produce bats that meet the new BBCOR standards. I’m only going to list the BBCOR bat models in this review as this will soon be the standard across the board. You’ll see some bats saying they are BBCOR certified for the 2011 season. In most cases these bats only have a one-year waiver and can be used in 2011 but not in 2012. Hence, I’m not listing them. Don’t forget to check out recommendations for each bat category and price range in My Baseball Bat Recommendations listed on the right side. I’ll be adding to the list on a daily basis. Here’s what I have for now:

EASTON BASEBALL BATS Easton is far ahead of the competition when it comes to BBCOR. They are the only manufaturer with a BBCOR 100% composite bat. They continue to push their two-piece design in their top tier bats. Their bats only seem to be available in stiff handle designs. This is a big change as Easton pushed flex handles for years. They started offering both flex and stiff handle editions of the same model in 2010, and now seem to have moved only to stiff handles.

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No surprise that Little League has, as of 12/30/10, banned composite bats in their Major League division (9-12 years old). This was just a matter of time. Although they are calling it a moritoriam it is unlikely to ever be reversed. Here is their official announcement:

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
December 30, 2010

Little League International has placed a moratorium on the use of composite bats in the Little League (Majors) Division and all other baseball divisions of Little League, effective immediately.

“Today’s decision of the Little League International Board of Directors Executive Committee is based on scientific research data from the University of Massachusetts (Lowell), which was contracted by Little League Baseball,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “The maximum performance standard for non-wood bats in the divisions for 12-year-olds and below is a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15. The research found that composite bats, while they may meet the standard when new, can exceed that standard after a break-in process.” (more…)

Little League baseball has banned (or suspended) composite bat use in their Junior League (13-14), Senior League (15-16) and Big League (17-18) divisions. It does NOT apply to their Major League (9-12) division which is where most kids play. Their statement, released on September 1, 2010 is listed below:

A moratorium on the use of composite bats in the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Divisions of Little League was enacted on Aug. 27, 2010, by the Little League International Board of Directors, effective immediately. The moratorium shall be in effect until further notice by Little League International.

The moratorium covers all games and practices only in the three divisions referenced above. It closely follows a similar moratorium approved in July 2010 by the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS), based on a recommendation from its Baseball Rules Committee. The NFHS Board enacted a rule to prohibit the use of composite bats until they can produce consistent compliance with the standards through the life of the bat. (more…)

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the governing body of High School Baseball, is changing their bat rules to match NCAA rules. This means bats illegal in NCAA play will be illegal in High School starting in as the 2012 season (some will enforce the rule in 2011). The NCAA began banning 100% composite bats last year. This constitutes a tsunami of changes that will turn the baseball bat industry on its head! Here’s what’s going on.

The rule changed is NFHS 1.3.2, which requires (starting 1/1/11) all non-wood bats to meet the Batted Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard.  This is a much stricter standard than the old BESR standard.

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The majority of the 2011 bats have hit the market. Although there hasn’t been a lot of change from the 2010 models, there has been some change. More detailed information will be posted in the reviews for each manufacturer, and in My Baseball Bat Recommendations will provide my recommendations in each category. Take a look at the listings on the right side to check them out. Here are the 2011 baseball bats:

2011 COMBAT BASEBALL BATS

Combats first steps in 2010 have been backwards. They’re trying to recover from a poor 2011 model year by bringing back what created the buzz a few years ago in a new name and package.

Combat B3

It appears Combat has abandoned the B2 and its and is essentially bringing back the B1 as the B3.  The B2′s nanocomp and MAP technologies have disappeared, essentially making this bat very similiar if not identical to the B1. As of early March it only appears to be available in youth models. It has the same single wall, stiff handle balanced design.

2011 EASTON BASEBALL BATS

I have to hand it to Easton. The NCAA bans composite bats in college baseball, so what does Easton do? The re-adjust their Stealth Speed, 100 % composite bat, and get it approved! It is the first composite bat that is approved for use in the upcoming 2010 NCAA season. If I’m ever indicted for murder my first choice for someone to represent me is Easton. These guys will do anything to sell a bat. But after this news it looks like their remaining 2011 bats are a repeat of the 2010 models. You can pre-order the bats now but they do not go on sale until April 3. Oh yeah, I’m not crazy about the look of the 2011 Easton line-up. It’s a sophomoric look that makes the bats look cheap.

Easton Stealth Speed II BSS1, BSS2 and BSS3

Let’s start with the BSS1 and BSS2. These are identical to the 2010 Easton Speed bats. They are 100% composite, two-piece bat with a slightly end-loaded design (MOI of 80). The difference between the BSS1 and BSS2 is the handle flex. The BSS1 has a flex handle (75) and the BSS2 a stiff handle (95). The BSS3 is Easton’s answer to the NCAA’s composite bat ban. They most likely re-layered the composite material in a manner where it does not break in any farther. The NCAA’s concern was that the BESR rating for a new composite bat crossed the line once it broke in a month or so later. This apparently solves the problem. Like the other Speed II’s it is a 100 composite two-piece bat with a MOI of 80. It is only available in a 33” model and there is no reason to purchase the BSS3 unless you’re in college. The BSS1/2 have white grips while the BSS3 has a black grip. This was probably done to distinguish the one approved for college play. They all retail for $399 for the Adult -3 model.

Easton Surge XL

Say hello to the SV12. The Surge is the SV12 with a different label and color. It’s a two-piece bat with a composite handle, Easton’s V12 alloy barrel, and a balanced design (MOI of 70). I’ve only seen the stiff handle version, but I’m assuming there will be a flex handle version also. The Adult -3 model retails for $299, the same as the SV12 last year.

Easton Rival XL

The Rival is identical to the 2010 V12. A 100% alloy bat with a stiff handle and low swing weight (MOI) of 60. I’ve only seen the Senior model at the present time. I’d guess the Adult -3 will retail for $199, as the 2010 V12 did.

2011 Demarini Baseball Bats

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Demarini’s line-up has been popular over the last several years and they’ve decided not to mess with it for the 2011 model year. They’re sticking to their bread and butter, two-piece, flex handle bats with their “half and half” technology. The only change being the “rotation index”. These are markings on the handle to help you grip the bat in a different spot and supposedly prolong bat life. Here’s a look at their 2011 bats:

CF4

The CF4 is a two-piece, double wall, 100% composite bat with a flex handle and extremely low swing weight (MOI). It is made with Demarini’s top tier composite, pitch black and is identical to the 2010 model. They say they added more silver trace technology, but they made the same claim last year. It’s made with Demarini’s pitch black plus composite, half and half technology and “hub” end cap. The CF4 is very popular but some do not like the extremely low swing weight. The Adult -3 retails for $399.99 putting it in the high end composite category. If you like this bat you can save a few dollars by finding the gold 2010 model. (more…)

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee’s recommendation to remove, at least temporarily, composite bats from NCAA competition. NOTE: This is a ban in college baseball only,  composite bats are still legal in High School down through T-ball for now. Also, hybrid bats are still legal in College baseball (bats with composite handles and alloy barrels).

The rules committee proposed the action in July and met again via conference call August 17 after hearing comments from the membership and manufacturers about the recommendation. After considerable discussion, the rules committee concluded that composite bats will not be allowed for the time being.

The committee’s main concern about composite bats is that they are susceptible to performance improvement above standards set by the NCAA, either through normal use or alterations to the bats.

While committee members are not convinced that simple compliance testing of specific bats will solve what they see to be a significant problem in the sport, the committee agreed with a suggestion from the NCAA Baseball Research Panel to seek additional testing to determine if it is feasible to allow composite bats in NCAA play this season.

The research panel met with baseball bat manufacturers August 12 in Indianapolis to explore whether composite bats could be used within NCAA guidelines and parameters.

During the 2009 Division I Baseball Championship, composite bats were selected for ball exit speed ratio (BESR) certification tests. Of the 25 bats tested, 20 failed the official BESR test for current NCAA performance levels. Because all bat designs must pass that test before mass production, the results indicated that the performance of such bats changed thereafter, most likely due to repeated, normal use or intentional alteration.

In the meantime, the NCAA plans to conduct additional testing that will provide the baseball rules committee another opportunity for review. Additionally, the committee is open to providing an opportunity for companies to prove that their bats would meet current NCAA standards regardless of use or tampering.

As for beyond the upcoming season, the baseball research panel is recommending that an Accelerated Break-In (ABI) process be added to the certification process under the new Ball-Bat Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) standard to help address the issue of improved performance and further the goal of having all bats in NCAA play remain under the NCAA limit through the life of the bat.

The BBCOR is a method designed to measure the performance of the bat. The ABI is designed to replicate repeated use or intentional alteration of the bat. This process has been used with some success in the certification process for softball bats.

2010 COMBAT BASEBALL BATS

COMbat (the company) started in 1998 when they began manufacturing softball bats for other brand name companies. COMbat bats were born in the last few years when they decided to put out the same bats they make for other companies in their own name, including baseball bats.

The big news for 2010 is that COMbat finally is offering their most popular bats, the B1 and B2, in Adult and Senior League models. It’s hard to believe it took them so long to do this but at least the light bulb finally went on. Also in 2010, they’ll finally get to push the B2 which had a delayed introduction last year because it initially did not meet regulations.

Another change for 2010 is COMbat’s introduction of a 100% alloy bat. They’ve been exclusively focused on composite bats since their inception and this is a big move for the company.

COMbat needs to make a name for themselves in high school and college baseball to become a true player in the industry, and offering all their bats in Adult and Senior League models is a giant leap forward. We’ll see if the emphasis on big barrel bats can get them some traction in 2010.

Here’s the COMbat line-up for 2010:

COMbat Composite Bats

• COMbat B2: As stated, the 2009 B2 had a slow start because of approval issues. This is the same design as the “redesigned” version that was finally approved for the 2009 model year. It a one-piece, single wall bat with a stiff handle and a low swing weight. The difference between the B2 and B1 is that the B2 has COMbat’s “Variable Stiffness Technology is said to allow for lower barrel wall stiffness on both sides of the normal sweetspot, resulting in an enlarged sweet hitting area.” It also has their “Blended Fiber Technology, where Arimid fibers ( found in bullet proof vests ) is combine with carbon and glass fibers in varying proportions and precise angles to get more trampoline effect and absorb vibrations resulting in more energy transfer to the ball and greater distance.” Did you get all of that? My favorite is the bullet proof vest comment. My opinion is this doesn’t amount to much and that it’s not much different than the B1. The B2 Adult -3 model retails for $369 putting it just below the other top tier composite bats. There are better options in this category and price range.

• COMbat B1: This bat has had the same design for several years; the only news is the introduction of the big barrel models. It’s a one-piece, single wall bat with a stiff handle and low swing weight. The B1’s claim to fame began in the 2007 Little League World Series when the U.S. team won the championship game on a walk off home run off a B1 bat. Not that it wasn’t exciting and a plus for COMbat but is this really that big a deal? First if you’re playing in the LLWS championship game you’re probably a pretty good player. Second the fences in Williamsport are only 205 feet from home plate! In the world of 12U travel baseball this is a F7, F8, F9 or double. This is just a bunch of hype based on one dramatic home run and nothing else. I’m sure the folks at COMbat did their best to stoke this magical story. The truly intelligent move by COMbat was pricing the B1 as a second tier composite bat ($299 for the Adult -3 model). Why they didn’t do this last year when the B2 was introduced is anyone’s guess. The big barrel option and new price might get some Middle and High School players to use it and give them much needed exposure above the age of twelve. It’s one of my two recommendations for second tier composite bats. (more…)