March 1, 2010
Bat manufacturers adapt to changing rules
A-Bat 43
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Each year, bat manufacturers roll out new lines of products designed to please a wide array of consumers — high schoolers, collegiate players, travel teamers, weekend warriors. They add bells and whistles, while researching new technologies for making the bat more efficient and comfortable. There are myriad variables to navigate to appeal to players who are just getting together with friends and others who may be trying to impress big league scouts.
This year, manufacturers have a few new variables to deal with. In July 2009, the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee sent out a memo that put a moratorium on using composite bats in the collegiate game. This was a result of a test done on a sampling of bats from the Division 1 Baseball Championship, in which 80 percent of tested bats failed to meet current acceptable performance levels.
The bats were too hot, helping along what the memo said was “a significant increase in batting averages and home runs the past two seasons.” In other words, without necessarily knowing it, some teams had a competitive advantage.
In 2010, bat manufacturers won’t be able to sell composite bats to colleges, but they can sell to high schools and other organizations. In the meantime, bat manufacturers can work to correct the problem and get the bats back in the college game in a year or so. The problem is that many of the composite bats get “hotter” as they break down with use, so they will have to meet a standard where the bats will be stressed in advances, called “accelerated break-in” or ABI.
“If manufacturers meet an ABI technique, they’d look at allowing the composite barrel bats,” said John Loiars, director of research and development with Reebok Baseball. “But as of now, it does not appear that there’s anybody out there from a manufacturer’s standpoint that could produce that kind of bat.”
Pat Ryan, global business director for Wilson’s DeMarini bats, doesn’t foresee the problem dragging on too long. He noted it’s a problem the industry has faced before with softball bats, and manufacturers just need to work out the details. The bigger problem is creating a product that stands out as rules become more restrictive.
“I think composites are going to be part of the game,” Ryan said. “I think they’re an important aspect from a design element and giving players more options. But again, it’s not a panacea. It’s a challenging piece. The box is shrinking in terms of how to differentiate your product from your competitors’ in an ever-shrinking design box. The performance metrics are getting tighter.”
The bigger change on the horizon comes into play in 2011 for the college game and 2012 for the high school game. That’s when the NCAA will adopt new regulations for testing bats, with the National Federation of High Schools expected to follow shortly after. And this is where it gets tricky.
The current standard for testing non-wood bats is called BESR, or ball exit ratio speed. The new standard for 2011 is called BBCOR, or ball-bat coefficient of restitution. The BESR standard takes into account a bat’s length and weight, whereas the BBCOR standard measures the contact with the bat and the bat’s resistance.
The end result is that bats will be “deader,” requiring aluminum or composite bats to perform more like wood bats. “Non-wood bats are part of our game and our history and our heritage,” Ryan said.” It’s not a wood bat game — that ping, that sound, everyone associates that with the NCAA game. I think they’ve always wanted that to be part of it, but they’ve wanted wood-like performance.”
Manufacturers are busy working on bats to roll out for 2011, working to deaden the impact. “We could do that a number of different ways,” Loiars said. “Obviously one is thicken the wall thickness of the aluminum alloy. We can put some dampening materials behind the walls. We can put some carbon fiber backing behind the aluminum wall to make it a little bit thicker, more of a support-type thing. Those three designs probably are the primary ones that will get us to where we need to be to meet the BBCOR requirements.”
The challenge for 2011 will be stocking bats that meet both standards to cater to both the collegiate and high school markets. It also creates a dilemma for high school athletes, who will want to be familiar with BBCOR bats but won’t want to sacrifice the power of the BESR bats for the 2011 season.
“If you think of a player that’s in his senior year or junior year and he’s got scouts looking at him,” Loiars said. “Obviously, he wants to be swinging a BESR bat rather than a BBCOR bat in that 2011 season. So you’ve got to have both.”
Again, Ryan is confident the industry will react and supply the college and high school markets with bats that meet the standards, partly thanks to the NCAA’s advance notice for the changes. “In practice, it’s not too much of a burden for us,” he said.” It’s within our cycle. The NCAA worked with us to give us that time to develop these bats to roll them out for 2011. From my business standpoint, no complaints there. If that’s what they want for their game, we always say: We don’t make the rules, we just make bats that fit their rules.”
A-BAT
www.promaplebats.com
43 — The Model 43 is a medium handle (.93-inch), large barrel (2.56-inch) bat. The thick barrel doesn’t start to narrow until well down the barrel, leaving a lot of wood for solid contact and power on a long portion of the barrel. MSRP: $89.95
71 — The Model 71 is a medium flared handle (.93-inch), medium barrel (2.51-inch) bat. The most noticeable feature of the Model 71 is the flared handle. The little extra wood at the base of the handle makes the 71 handle feel considerably thicker than its .93 inches. MSRP: $79.95
DeMARINI
www.demarini.com
Voodoo Black — An SC4 Alloy aluminum barrel and Pitch Black Plus composite handle are joined by DeMarini’s direct connect power transfer technology, providing an enormous sweet spot. MSRP: $299.99
CF4 Black — Pitch Black Plus composite handle and barrel uses DeMarini’s best composite to provide a strong and powerful all-composite bat. MSRP: $399.99
M2M — Metal to Metal! SC4 Alloy aluminum handle is joined with DeMarini’s direct connect power transfer technology to the SC4 Alloy Aluminum barrel for the stiffest and most responsive bat. MSRP: $229.95
DREAM BAT
www.dreambats.com
JM8 — The JM8 is a Dream Bat Company original model. Like all Dream Bats, it’s made for ballplayers, by ballplayers. The JM8 model has a 2.60-inch barrel slowly tapering into a .95-inch handle with a 2.0-inch traditional knob. MSRP: $75 (team pricing available)
HOOSIER BAT
www.hoosierbat.com
In addition to the traditional ash bats, Hoosier Bat Co. offers a high-quality birch bat. MSRP: $65
LOUISVILLE SLUGGER
www.slugger.com
CBXEX Exogrid — This bat has a barrel made with ST+20 alloy. The heart of the Exogrid is a carbon sleeve, which provides greater handle stiffness than aluminum alone ever could. MSRP: $369.95
CBXH2 H2 Hybrid — The barrel is constructed with industry-leading ST+20 alloy. The handle and transition area are made from 3X composite. Graphite is lighter and stronger than aluminum, allowing for a stiffer handle and less weight, which can be used for a longer barrel. The exclusive H2 design bonds the ST+20 barrel with the 3X composite seamlessly, guaranteeing the outstanding performance provided by a one-piece stiff handle design. MSRP: $299.95
CB116 — The CB116 is a limited edition TPX Omaha made from industry-leading ST+20 alloy. If you’re looking for durability and performance at a great price, this is your bat. The Omaha name has been proven time and time again. MSRP: $229.95
MAX BAT
www.maxbats.com
R10 — Made from extremely strong wood, the R10 packs a huge punch in a small package. The barrel is long and lean and has an appetite for cowhide. Best seller year after year. MSRP: $89 (maple)
191 — The 191 has been MaxBat’s most popular bat for players making the switch from metal to wood. Features a flared handle into the knob and a long taper to the barrel end, making it a very balanced bat. MSRP: $89 (maple)
C4R — Designed for ultimate performance, the C4R delivers great pop, balance and durability. A great model for players looking for an ample hitting surface and a comfortable grip. MSRP: $89 (maple)
OLD HICKORY
www.oldhickorybats.com
AR13 — Available in maple and ash, stock (black barrel, gunstock handle) and custom colors with personalization available; 2½-inch barrel and 29/32-inch handle with a flared knob. MSRP: $100 (maple), $68 (ash)
AJ3 — Available in maple and ash, stock (wine barrel, black handle) and custom colors with personalization available; 2½-inch barrel and 29/32-inch handle with a bell knob. MSRP: $100 (maple), $68 (ash)
J143M — Available in maple and ash, stock (white barrel, white handle) and custom colors with personalization available; 2½-inch barrel and 29/32-inch handle with a standard knob. MSRP: $100 (maple), $68 (ash)
REEBOK
www.reebok.com
Vector O-Comp — The Vector O Comp high-performance bat is engineered with O-Technology and an aerospace composite barrel. MSRP: $399.99
2010 Vector-O — O-Technology is pure aerodynamics. The O-Technology can reduce drag, and less drag=faster swing speed=more distance. MSRP: $319.99
2009 Vector-O — Increase your swing speed with this performance, two-piece bat using O-Technology and the patented TLS Connection System. MSRP: $279.99
SAM BAT
www.sambat.com
KB1 — A beautifully balanced pro Sam Bat model with a popular knob. Available as stock, custom and little league. MSRP: $120
CD1 — Sam Bat recommended pro transitional bat when switching from aluminum to wood. Available as stock, custom and little league. MSRP: $120
MMO — A Sam Bat pro model with strength and power. Available as stock or custom. MSRP: $120
XPROTEX
www.xprotex.com
Raykr – The top of the line. Specifically designed pair for either right- or left handed batters. Maximum hand and wrist protection. A.I.C. protection on the outside of the hand and wrist protects the vulnerable small bones not protected by a traditional glove. Offering superior protection without compromising fit, comfort or flexibility. Go to the plate with confidence. MSRP: $79.95
Hammr – The Hammr offers both wrist and hand protection for batters. Designed to help protect the small bones in the hand and in the wrist that are most vulnerable to injury from a pitched ball. MSRP: Adult, $49.95; Youth, $44.95
Dingr – A lightweight protective glove with greater mobility. AIC padding on the outside of the wrist provides greater protection for the critical wrist joint area over traditional gloves. MSRP: Adult, $34.95; Youth, $29.95
Lyte – This is for batters who like to feel the grain of the bat in their hands. Lite, thin, like a second skin, yet protects the hands from blisters while providing great grip on the bat. MSRP: $24.95
Strykr – Keep the catcher’s hands in the game. Designed to help reduce season long bone bruises and injuries, while adding additional coverage to the vulnerable back of the hand from backswing injury. Inside wrist padding cushions the wrist for blocking balls in the dirt. You’re the catcher, the field general. Protect those hands and stay on the field with confidence. Single glove only. MSRP: Adult, $34.95; Youth, $29.95
Reaktr – The Reaktr keeps your hands dry and connected to your glove. Designed to enhance the fit and comfort of your fielder’s glove while cushioning the hand against bone bruises from bad hops. Available in singles only. Right glove for left-handed throwers and left glove for right-handed throwers. MSRP: Adult, $29.95; Youth, $24.95
