“Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball.”
Jacques Barzun
Americans fell in love with the baseball game in early 1800s, and by 1860s the game had earned the reputation of ‘national pastime’. Over the years, as the game evolved so did the bats. Metal bats were first introduced in the game during 1920s.
Metal bats are being used in Little League matches although Major League Baseball do not use them, as they derive the ball higher and farther as compared to the wooden bats. The market is full of manufacturers claiming to make THE best metal baseball bat. So many different varieties can easily confuse an inexperienced buyer. Here is a list of five best metal baseball bats to shorten your search for the perfect bat:
1) MARUCCI Cat7 Baseball Bat
When it comes to metal baseball bats Marucci is a trusted name. One of the reasons for its popularity is that some of the Major League players have heavily financed and supported the company. Star players like Jose Bautista, Andrew McCutchen, Albert Pujols and others have consistently worked alongside the engineers of Marucci to produce one exceptional bat after another, to cater to the needs of different hitters. Marucci Cat6 is made with one-piece alloy construction which makes it solid and gives very little flex in the swing. Anti-vibration knob is a patented Marucci technology that reduces negative vibrations. Cat series is BBCOR certified and the grip has been wrapped with a light micro-perforated material to ensure a strong hold on the bat. 2 5/8 inch barrel has been extended to optimize sweet spots and greater swing speed. This bat is made from AZ3000 alloy that gives it durability all season round.
2) Rawlings VELO BBCOR Baseball Bat 2016
Rawlings VELO is a beautiful bat that is BBCOR certified with – 3 length to weight ratio. The Velo 2016 version uses Acoustic Performance Technology. If you are one of those hitters who love a loud ‘ping’ as the ball hits the sweet spot than Velo is for you! The ultra-lite composite end cap improves balance by removing needless weight. To provide extended barrel and sweet spot Velo 2016 has neatly incorporated Precision-Optimized Performance (pOp 2.0) Technology into the baseball bats. Rawlings delivers its promise of massive barrel and explosive swing speed in the form of Velo Baseball Bat version 2016. BBCOR has certified these bats to be used in High School and Collegiate games. A whooping one year manufacturer’s warranty is just a cherry on top.
3) MARUCCI Cat7 Baseball Bat 31”/28 oz.
Made to unleash unrelenting force and make the game more enjoyable, Marucci Cat7 allows exceptional swing due to its precision-balanced barrel with lower MOI. CAT 7 is a hot favorite among the baseball fanatics. The sturdy one-piece AZ4X design allows consistently strong swing and the 2nd Generation AV2 Anti-vibration knob showcases an advanced finely tuned harmonic dampening system. Although the bat is made from aluminum yet it gives the integrity and hit like a wooden baseball bat.
Being BBCOR certified -3 Length to Weight ratio and 2 5/8 inch barrel diameter, Cat7 is way better than Cat6 in terms of performance and design. As compared to CAT6, the sweet spot in CAT7 has been extended by inner barrel tapering. This means that the inside of the barrel has been more tapered to allow more flexibility on the center of the barrel. CAT7 is equipped with sting dampening mechanism which is a patented Marucci technology. The company has loaded this version with ring-free barrel technology that leaves no dead spot and provides excellent grip. The manufacturers offer one year warranty on Cat7. With clear loud ping and immaculate design, CAT7 stands out from the rest.
4) Danielle Lawrie Fastpitch Axe Bat 2016 L136C
This bat has been created by re-engineering LP-1 Alloy blend. Elite players are often on the lookout for a bat that provides balanced swing weight without compromising on lower MOI. Daniele Lawrie Axe bat provides just that! Their patented handle design ensures a strong grip on the bat hence improved bat control. The knob may look like a traditional round knob however; there is nothing ordinary about the advanced tech used in designing this high end bat. The handle maximizes barrel control by stabilizing handle control. With -12 Length to Weight ratio, 2 ¼ inch barrel diameter, this bat has been approved for play in USSSA, ISA, ASA and NSA. The AXE effectively increases the bat speed by reducing tension in hands and increasing range of motion. Ergonomics behind the design of Danielle Lawrie Fastpitch Axe Bat makes the user feel as if the bat was especially tailored to fit the hitter’s hands. With thirty days money back guarantee for a full refund or exchange what more could a player ask for.
5) Easton Zcore Speed White
Made with internal core technology, Easton Z-core Speed White Baseball bats boast the biggest aluminum barrels in the game. The bats are made from HMX Hyper lite Matrix Alloy that creates biggest sweet spots. Easton delivers 1-5/8 inch diameter BBCOR certified baseball bats that can enhance your baseball experience and make it more enjoyable. The bat gives fast swing weight and more power to the players because one piece alloy construction. The grip is cushioned with hyper-skin for softer and firmer grip. It is available in 31, 32, 33 and 34 inches of length. If you are looking for a lighter swing weight and bigger barrel than Easton Z-core Speed White Adult Bat is your best option.
Baseball bats come in different shapes, sizes and materials. The Swing Weight Index (SWI) of any baseball bat depends upon Moment of Inertia (MOI). SWI also varies with varying bat length, barrel size, end-load and material of the bat. Remember that a bat with high SWI will produce more power behind the ball when the bat hits. On the contrary, power is evenly-distributed in bats with lower SWI. This means that the bat will produce fast swing speeds.
