There is a huge variety of bats on the market, and whether you’re looking for a slow pitch, fastpitch, or baseball bat it can be a bit daunting. A good bat is an investment, and you don’t want to throw your money at something that won’t result in better performance. Finding the bat that’s right for you means looking closely at a few important characteristics and choosing the one that fits your individual needs.
Unfortunately, some of the most important elements of the design are hard to determine until you actually take the bat out and use it. Since most sporting goods stores probably frown on you wandering out with the newest bats and slugging it out at the nearest batting cages, you will have to look at some other aspects that impact the quality of the bat.
Bats that are made from a single piece of aluminum have some advantages over those that have connection points. One-piece bats are more durable and offer a more consistent performance, and it’s possible to transfer more bat from the swing to the ball this way.
If you are looking for a baseball bat, it is also important to check if the bat is BBCOR certified. This new standard was set a little while ago in the NCAA, and high schools around the country quickly followed. This makes the aluminum bat perform more like wood, which means the ball won’t pop like it did on other designs, so be aware that you might feel a decrease in power.
There are a lot of alloys and composites on the market, and understanding how each one performs can have a big impact on your decision. RIP-IT uses a few different materials, including Advanced Tempered Ballistic Alloy (ATBA) on regular and senior league baseball bats, and Beyond Composite Technology (BCT) on fastpitch softball bats.
ATBA lets batters make contact with the ball anywhere along the barrel and still get solid hits while the BCT offers great performance without a long break-in period. By understanding the material that goes into a bat, you’ll have a much better idea of what you can expect from it.
How does the bat actually feel in your hands? Is it solid? Can you get a good rotation with it? The best grip is often a subjective matter, but there are still a few things to consider. For example, if a hit leads to a lot of stinging or vibration, then you’re not getting the right grip. Something that molds to your hands can help minimize the stinging, even when you get a hit off the wrong part of the bat. Raised ridges on fastpitch bats are also a popular choice because the batter’s hands can remain loose which means less tension in the hands and faster reaction times.
Finding the right bat depends a lot on your size, hitting style, and how often you play. Getting the right tools for the job is essential for better performance, so don’t rush the decision on your new bat. Take a look at all these important characteristics and make the best investment possible.
-Article written by Susan Murray of Rip-It Sporting Goods
