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Joe
43 Posts |
 Posted - 12/02/2008 : 00:46:13
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| What are the hot bats on the market for 12u kids for the 09 season? |
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beanball
222 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 09:30:16
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Joe,
After using Easton Stelth's for many years, I have become a big fan of the Dimarini bats. My 12U son is using a CF3 -8 this year. He's not a big kid 5'1" and about 95lbs and he's consistantly driving the ball 25-50 ft longer than last year with a catalyst. My older, 14U is going to CF3 -3 this year.
I think the dimarini is far more durable as well. I have seen EXO and Stealth's bat break all the time. Have not seen one Dimarini break.
I also think @ 12U is the time to start transitioning to the heavier bats if your player is capable. Here's the progression I that I have used
12U = -8
13U = -5
14U = -3
Again this is very subjective to the size/ability of the player but once you get to the HS level everybody must go to -3 so the gradual transition, I think, is best.
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HITANDRUN
436 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 13:30:39
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| You saw an EXO break? what happened to it? EXO's from what I have read are metal bats not composite like alot of the newer type catylst triton type bats, but I don't know? Is the Stealth composite or metal? I would use the -3 at 13 with slower pitchers or even try and bypass the -5 altogether if possible. |
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greglomax
1031 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 14:43:23
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I have never seen an EXO break (not that it has not happened, but I have not seen it but have seen many others). I have seen many Stealths, Rush, Plasma, and Prodigy bust or crack though. My preference is still the Exo, though.
I do like the Demarini Voodoo bats as well, but I still have not completely formulated an opinion about their lifespan. They don't break or dent, but I have seen some deaden.
Beanball,
I am with you on the weight transition. I realize there are exceptions to the rules, but I would be really concerned to see a 13U still swinging anything less than a -8, regardless of their size. Most all need to be transitioning to a -5 at 13 or they are going to struggle going to the -3 later. |
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diamonddad
59 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 17:32:31
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Joe,
My 12U son is 5'8" and about 135 pounds. He recently moved up from a Catalyst 31/21 to the DeMarini CF3 32/24 as well. As I had stated in a previous post...my son is VERY happy with this bat. It can be a bit of an adjustment for some kids who have been swinging a -10 that's why we made the change at the end of last season so that he would have plenty of time to adjust.
The durability of this bat is also one of the main reasons we switched. I spent quite a bit of time researching these bats before buying one and have found very little complaints with respect to their construction and reliability. Both of my sons have gone through several of the Stealth's, Prodigy's, and Catalyst's over the past four years and, quite honestly, I was sick of having them crack and then having to wait for a replacement during the middle of the season. I do, however, have to say that of the three aforementioned manufacturers Louisville's customer service is by far and away the best! Every defective bat we returned to them was replaced and back in my hands within a week or so. Worth on the other hand was not as timely to replace their defective products and as such they will no longer be getting any of my $$$$$$$.
Good Luck! |
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bigcatsdad
22 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2008 : 20:03:54
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| Heard the combat is hot, but haven't seen any kids using it. Several of the kids on my son's 15U Fall team used the Demarini with great success. (as stated above, no cracks or breaks.) The Stealth composite will make it go a mile, but will crack consistently. |
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SPORTS-A-RAMA
31 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2008 : 21:00:25
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"Joe",
Sports A Rama, ROSWELL, now carries and sells Demarini and Louisville Slugger Bats...please call (678) 352-0006 and ask for Gerry. We can get you a good deal and if you choose, you may demo a bat in our facility. |
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greglomax
1031 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2008 : 07:31:47
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| There is nothing worse than getting a bat and find out your son does not the feel of it. Hitting a demo bat at Sports-a-rama before buying is a great option. Especially when trying to determine the right length. It takes a lot of guesswork out of the equation. |
Edited by - greglomax on 12/08/2008 09:04:19 |
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Peanutsr
171 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2008 : 12:01:54
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| I was going to take my 10u son to Sports-A-Rame in order to demo a bat but when I called the selection of demo's appropriate for his size was very limited. |
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greglomax
1031 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2008 : 17:07:58
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Gerry,
Can you get a man on that?  |
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BROOKSTEAM
145 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2008 : 16:45:38
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From the industry reports that I have been given DeMarini was the most returned bat in the market for 2007. Most of the internet reviews I have read consider the Easton composite bats still #1. Their new IMX series is considered by Baseball Bat Reviews to be the top bat for all models from Adult to youth.
**I would strongly encourage anyone buying a composite bat to read about them first as their some very interesting articles on the web about the advantages of a well broken in composit bat.
As for weight, if you have to have a -8 then the Louisville TPX is the best choice. For -5 the Stealth IMX (you can go -9 to -5 with this line) will out perform any other bat around (again as long as it is broken in properly).
If anyone wants the links or copies of the articles you can come by my shop or call me at 678-903-0024. |
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a1prog
164 Posts |
Posted - 12/22/2008 : 19:26:08
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at sports a rama you can demo any bat that we have in stock. if we dont have one available as a demo when you show up then we'll unwrap a new one and let you use it as the demo. we dont carry all brands but if you are interested in louisville or demarini then we probably have you covered.
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Topic |
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bats
