GoinG Batty

GoinG Batty
2014’s bats will have
an immediate impact on your batting
average and power numbers!
By Kevin Newell
T
he old saying is that hitting a baseball is by far the most
difficult task in sports. When you think about it, even the best
hitters in the majors only reach base three out of 10 times.
So don’t fret young sluggers. Constantly hone your swing, hit
as many balls as you can, and make sure you have a bat that will
complement your skills. And you, too, will see your average soar and
your extra base hits increase.
Perhaps you’ve outgrown your current bat or are looking for a
little more magic at the plate for the coming fall ball season and
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beyond. Whatever your reason, look no further that the JB 2014 Bat
Review. We’ve got the lowdown on the latest bat innovations from all
the top manufacturers.
From state-of-the-art composite and alloy technology; one,
two and three-piece construction; vibration reduction handles;
massive sweet spots; cupped barrels; and thinner barrel walls, bat
companies are broadening, perfecting, and improving game level
performance at the plate.
So grab a bat, dig in, and take a swing!
1. CompANy: easton
produCt: power Brigade mAKo (-11) Bat
priCe: $280
SizeS: 28”/17oz, 29”/18oz, 30”/19oz,
31”/20oz, 32”/21oz
AgeS: 8-up
What makes this a great bat? The MAKO offers a
new TCT™ Thermo Composite Technology for a massive
sweet spot and unmatched bat speed, according
to the company. A patented two-piece ConneXion™
technology maximizes energy transfer for optimized
feel. Also has an ultra-thin 29/32” composite handle
with performance diamond grip.
Where to Buy? www.eastonbaseball.com
2. CompANy: easton
produCt: S2 (-13) Bat
priCe: $200
SizeS: 28”/15oz, 29”/16oz, 30”/17oz, 31”/18oz,
32”/19oz
AgeS: 8-up
What makes this a great bat? Feel optimized by
patented two-piece ConneXion™ technology and SIC™
Black Carbon handle. Boasts a THT100™ Scandium
alloy barrel for an expanded sweet spot and greater
durability.
Where to Buy? www.eastonbaseball.com
3. CompANy: easton
produCt: XL3 (-11) Bat
priCe: $160
SizeS: 29”/18oz, 30”/19oz, 31”/20oz, 32”/21oz
AgeS: 9-up
What makes this a great bat? Touts an extra-long
barrel design for an expanded hitting zone. Has a
THT100™ Scandium alloy barrel for an expanded sweet
spot and greater durability.
Where to Buy? www.eastonbaseball.com
4. CompANy: Louisville Slugger
produCt: Vertex Senior League Bat
priCe: $250
SizeS: 28”/18oz, 29”/19oz, 30”/20oz, 31”/21oz
AgeS: 10-up
What makes this a great bat? The Vertex combines
360 composite and AC21 Hybrid alloy technology.
What that means is added strength while reducing
wall thickness melded with the toughest alloy in the
industry, according to Louisville Slugger.
Where to Buy? www.slugger.com
5. CompANy: Louisville Slugger
produCt: Attack youth Bat
priCe: $200
Sizes: 28”/16oz, 29”/17oz, 30”/18oz, 31”/19oz,
32”/20oz
AgeS: 8-up
What makes this a great bat? The Attack is a pure
360 composite youth bat with TRU3 – three-piece
construction. The latter means dramatically reduced
vibration on contact. Has a 2 ¼” barrel and 7/8”
standard handle.
Where to Buy? www.slugger.com
September/October 2013 • www.juniorbaseball.com • 27
GoinG Batty
6. Company: Louisville Slugger
produCt: assault youth Bat
priCe: $100
SizeS: 27”/14oz, 28”/15oz, 29”/16oz, 30”/17oz,
31”/18oz
ageS: 6-up
What makes this a great bat? The Assault is a great
value alloy bat designed for youth players to leave their
mark on the field.
Where to buy? www.slugger.com
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7. Company: mine Bats
produCt: rimini youth Bat
priCe: $100
SizeS: 28” to 31”
ageS: 8-13
What makes this a great bat? Modeled after the
company’s Bergamo model, Mine’s most end loaded
bat, the Rimini wood bat has a larger cupped barrel
and is slowly tapered to a small knob then retro-fitted
to meet a young hitters demands.
Where to Buy? www.minebats.com
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8. Company: demarini
produCt: Voodoo paradox Bat
priCe: $200-$300
SizeS: available in: -3, -5, -9, and -13
ageS: all
What makes this a great bat? The bat of choice for
elite players now has a bigger sweet spot than ever.
More powerful than any other bat in our lineup, the
Voodoo’s monster X10 Alloy barrel is now fine-tuned
with thinner walls for a hotter, more responsive sweet
spot. Perfect for youth players looking to extend their
power.
Where to Buy? www.demarini.com
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9. Company: demarini
produCt: Vexxum nVS
priCe: $150-$200
SizeS: available in: -3, -5, -10, -10.5, and -12
ageS: all
What makes this a great bat? The power of the new
2014 Vexxum NVS comes not from strength or speed,
but from the two of them combined. Employing a New
Velocity System barrel design, this bat is now the
lightest swinging aluminum barrel bat in the DeMarini
lineup. Perfect for youth players looking for a lighter
swinging bat with an ultra responsive barrel.
Where to Buy? www.demarini.com
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10. Company: Baden
produCt: axe avenge Bat
priCe: $230
SizeS: -11 drop, 28” to 32”
ageS: 8-up
What makes this a great bat? This two-piece
composite bat has an extra-long 2 ¼” barrel for a
maximum sweet spot. Boasts a proprietary Engineered
Hitting Zone for one-sided hitting.
Where to Buy? www.badensports.com
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11. Company: Baden
produCt: axe elite Bat
priCe: $200
SizeS: -12 drop, 28” to “32
ageS: 9-up
What makes this a great bat? Features a lightweight
carbon fiber end cap for increased swing speed and a twopiece 2 ¼” alloy barrel with composite handle.
Where to Buy? www.badensports.com
12. Company: Baden
produCt: axe element Bat
priCe: $130
SizeS: -13 drop, 28” to 32”
ageS: 8-up
What makes this a great bat? The one-piece alloy bat
features an elongated 2 ¼” barrel profile for maximum sweet
spot.
Where to Buy? www.badensports.com
13. Company: miken Sports
produCt: rev-ex youth Bat (-12)
priCe: $190
SizeS: 32”/20oz, 31”/19oz, 30”/18oz, 29”/17oz,
28”/16oz
ageS: 8-up
What makes this a great bat? Experience the difference
in the new REV-EX one-piece 100% composite youth bat.
Miken’s new 750X HPI™ technology results in unmatched
durability and performance, lower MOI (Moment Of Inertia)
for faster swing speeds and distance.
Where to Buy? www.mikensports.com
14. Company: miken Sports
produCt: rev-ex Jr. Big Barrel Bat (-11.5)
priCe: $150
SizeS: 29”/17.5oz, 28”/16.5oz, 27”/15.5oz,
26”/14.5oz
ageS: 5-8 (2 ¾” barrel)
What makes this a great bat? Miken’s proprietary HPI
(High Pressure Infusion) injects ultra-tough epoxy into the
highest-grade aerospace carbon and aramid fibers at 750
pounds per square inch! Extreme pressure and premium
materials produce a game changing level of performance and
durability.
Where to Buy? www.mikensports.com
15. Company: miken Sports
produCt: triad youth two-piece Bat (-10)
priCe: $230
SizeS: 32”/22oz, 31”/21oz, 30”/20oz, 29”/19oz,
28”/18oz
ageS: 9-up
What makes this a great bat? Miken’s newest Triad
Technology™ revolutionizes bat construction via the
company’s Triple Pressure application, harnessing thermal
expansion of the highest-grade aerospace carbon for
unparalleled durability and jaw-dropping performance.
Miken’s Vortex™ handle’s Aerospace Carbon Braid Layers
distribute load evenly, forcing layers to move seamlessly for
optimal flex and performance.
Where to Buy? www.mikensports.com
GoinG Batty
16. Company: Brett Brothers
produCt: matrixx youth Bat (-11)
priCe: $100
SizeS: 29”/18oz, 30”/19oz, 31”/20oz, 32”/21oz
ageS: 10-up
What makes this a great bat? The Matrixx features
a one-piece alloy design made from the company’s
proprietary T2X Alloy. This scandium/aluminum alloy
blend gives players the durability and performance
they’ve come to expect from Brett Bros. products. An
-11 drop complements a low M.O.I and a balanced
swing weight to make this bat incredibly easy for young
and developing players to swing.
Where to Buy? www.justbats.com
17. Company: rip-it
produCt: Senior air Bat (-10)
priCe: $200
SizeS: 28”/18oz, 29”/19oz, 30”/20oz, 31”/21oz,
32”/22oz
ageS: 10-up
What makes this a great bat? With AIR Technology,
the RIP-IT Senior AIR is made for speed. By lowering
the MOI, AIR Technology helps players increase their bat
speed and control on every swing. RIP-IT’s strongest
alloy ever, R2 Alloy, is designed with deeper grooves
inside the 2 5/8” barrel to produce the fastest and
most balanced senior league bat yet, according to the
company.
Where to Buy? www.ripit.com
18. Company: metalstorm industries
produCt: patriot Senior League Bat (-5)
priCe: $180
SizeS: 32”/27oz, 33”/28oz (2 ¾” barrel)
ageS: 12-up
What makes this a great bat? Put your patriotism on
display at the field with the Metalstorm Patriot senior
league baseball bat! This one-piece bat is constructed
entirely from Metalstorm’s exclusive Extreme Impact
Tech-9 X830 Alloy. Like its name suggests, this alloy
has the durability to stand up to even the most extreme
bat-to-ball impacts.
Where to Buy? www.metalstormbaseball.com
19. Company: rawlings
produCt: trio BBCor Bat
priCe: $550
SizeS: trio Balanced: 32”/29oz, 33”/30oz,
34”/31oz; trio end Loaded: 33”/30oz, 34”/31oz
ageS: 13-up
What makes this a great bat? The Trio BBCOR
features a three-piece design and is available in a
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balanced and end loaded model. The Trio features a
composite handle and taper, 5150 Alloy barrel and
Comp Lite Endcap. This unique design gives the Trio
an ultralight MOI for increased bat speed and more
barrel flex. The sweet spot is constructed out of 5150
Alloy, which is Rawlings’ most durable and highest
performing alloy. All of that is topped off with the Comp
Lite Endcap, a composite endcap that removes weight
from the end of the bat which helps alter the MOI and
increase swing speed.
Where to Buy? www.rawlingsgear.com
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20. Company: rawlings
produCt: Velo Senior League Bat (-5 and –10)
priCe: $290
SizeS: Velo SL –5: 30”/25oz, 31”/26oz,
32”/27oz, 33”/28oz; Velo SL –10: 28”/18oz,
29”/19oz, 30”/20oz, 31”/21oz, 32”/22oz
ageS: 10-13, Velo SL –5; 9-13, Velo SL -10
What makes this a great bat? The VELO is a onepiece alloy made from Rawlings’ 5150 Alloy. Comp-Lite
end cap featuring 36% more composite fibers to lower
M.O.I. and generate additional swing speed, providing
incredible balance and pop to the hitter.
Where to buy? www.rawlingsgear.com
21. Company: rawlings
produCt: plasma youth Bat (-12)
priCe: $70
SizeS: 27”/15oz, 28”/16oz, 29”/17oz, 30”/18oz,
31”/19oz
ageS: 6-12
What makes this a great bat? The Plasma has
a thin Alloy barrel end construction for quicker bat
speed and low MOI and a stiff handle for consistent
feel, generating a balanced feel for any type of hitter.
Where to Buy? www.rawlingsgear.com
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Don’t Miss
next issue’s DouBleheaDer!
the annual JB holiday Gift Guide
Dozens of gift ideas for players and coaches alike!
the league Championship review
recaps of more than 100 titles won this year!
For advertising info, contact
[email protected] or 847-867-3269
hurry! DeaDline is oCtoBer 4th
September/October 2013 • www.juniorbaseball.com • 29