| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| bulldogbaseball100 |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 09:23:32
Have 14U player - need to buy wood bat for the first time. Any advice or recommendations out there? ASh Vs Maple? What to look for as far as grain etc? Good and/or bad experiences with a particular brand/model bat? Thanks in advance for any help |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Dr. Old School |
Posted - 08/22/2012 : 13:59:17
The Marucci wood bats are, in my opinion, the best combination of performance and durability. They are bone rubbed which fills in the pores of the wood and makes them more durable. It also gives them that extra pop. They are not the cheapest on the market, but if they last you twice as long, then it works out to be cheaper in the long run.
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| nastycurve |
Posted - 08/22/2012 : 09:18:48
4 players on my team swing escamilla bats. They have lots of pop and no sting and they will customize totally with two colors(barrell and handle) and engraving. They will try to get a lighter blank to make the bat out of if you need an extra ounce or so. Ive got a couple pictures of them if anybody wants to see, drop me a line. |
| BDevil |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 21:12:16
Just purchased my fourth wood bat for my son
from Probats (Probats.net). They make high
quality maple wood bats that are customized when you
order and are a reasonable price. Have not broken one yet
- last one used for two years. |
| bulldogbaseball100 |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 15:11:00
Anyone have any experience with the Brett Bros Composite bats? |
| PeachFuzz |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 13:37:47
I went cheap at the beginning of last Fall ($50-60 bats)...was piling up firewood waayy too quickly. Went to the Demarini 100 (composite handle). Not much pop, but you cannot break it.
He then went to the Marucci AP5. Absolutely loves it. I bought 2 (One for BP and one for game use). The BP bat broke a couple of weeks back (after a full summer of practice, hitting lessons and BP in the backyard cage).
I highly recommend the AP5...Great bat..costs about $120.
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| Mike Corbin |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 13:26:52
Buy a Baum Bat! Www.Baumbat.com they are by far one of the best composite wood bats we have used as a team. Sound like wood, hit like wood, and will last a long time. More expensive up front, but pays off in the end. |
| baseball_fan |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 13:06:04
quote:
Originally posted by peashooter
Finally get a hat for your bat...Hats for bats...keep bats warm! Cerano would approve! Also, make sure your bat likes curve balls!
thats most important part |
| peashooter |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 12:18:25
Some ideas:
1. Buy the $60 bamboo composit bat and use it for all practices.
2. Buy a real bat (3 packs are cheaper a bit) and use for games
3. Research out the model numbers they matter Louisville Slugger:
P72 Very standard bat, but I don't like how small the barrell is (tapers too quickly)
C273 Just bought one for my old fart league. Nice bat with a less steep taper
C271 Similar to the P72
R161 If you can find it...I love this bat, it is a man club (thick handle, huge barrell)
I would always get a cupped bat (end of the bat has the concave hollow point...makes it lighter...doesn't hurt power
Now when looking for a bat.....
Get as few of grains as possible (the tree rings). If you can get 6-8 that is a sweet bat
Hold the bat in your thumb and index finger at the barrell...knock the barrell with your other knuckles....the higher pitched bats are better
Tape the barrell with athletic tape during any practice to help prevent splintering of the wood
When you bat always make sure that the label of the bat is facing you...practice the swing, and you want the label facing up...hitting the ball with the label makes it easier to crack
If you are hard core....strip all the varnish off the bat, go get an old school coke bottle (glass)...sit on the handle of the bat and rub the wood away from your with the bottler....this compresses the wood and makes for better hits.
I would even get together with other people and see if you can order a couple of dozen to get a deal. Any custom bat guy should be able to make a bat sized to the Louisville numbers
Finally get a hat for your bat...Hats for bats...keep bats warm! Cerano would approve! Also, make sure your bat likes curve balls! |
| Mets69 |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 11:59:23
I have to agree with bballman on getting the DeMarini composite ... my son's next wood bat will likely be one of the DeMarini models (probably the 110). The Brett Bros bats are also considered to be durable, however, after buying one last summer for my son (the MB110), the barrel started to break apart after only 2 tournaments.
As far as all wood ... my son has gone through about $300 worth of wood bats over the past 2 years. Not too bad (all things considered), but really starting to wear on me. Back when I was a kid ... |
| bballman |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 11:15:32
I would go with the DeMarini bat with the wood barrel and composite handle. It is more expensive, but will last MUCH longer. Last summer, my son went through 4 wood bats in 4 at bats. Got him the DeMarini and it lasted the rest of the season. |
| lottapop |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 11:01:39
Rawlings Ash |
| in_the_know |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 10:02:24
I wouldn't go with either.
Get one of the wood composites or bamboo. Last much longer than either ash or maple. Maple is most brittle and more prone to breaking due to how dry the wood is relative to the others. |
| ultimatesports10 |
Posted - 08/20/2012 : 10:02:07
Would recommend looking at Fox Bats. Local guy in Woodstock, Ga. He does custom wood bats for all sizes. He has several people he makes custom bats for. He just made a 28oz bat for my son. Very nice!!!! Customized with his name and number and ready to hit!!!!! |
