WHAT’S MY BAT? (PART 2)

• Posted on 24 November 2022
• By Carl Lemelin
• 0

You don't know which BBCOR or Slowpitch bat to buy? We've got you covered!

Our last blog brought you a complete guide to finding your perfectly suited piece of lumber. As promised, this edition is for the BBCOR and Slowpitch communities.

What does BBCOR even mean, and why does my league mandate its certification on my bat? How do I pick a softball bat from the never-ending selection at Baseball Town?

If you’ve never received satisfactory, or clear answers to these legitimate and pertinent questions, this blog’s for you!

BBCOR BATS

Let’s start by clarifying what the BBCOR acronym actually means. It stands for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution, which is a scientifically obtained test result for ball rebound off the sweet spot of the bat’s barrel.

To measure the BBCOR, a ball is launched at the bat at a consistent speed to get a rebound speed. As the .50 reading that is part of the BBCOR stamping suggests, for a bat to be certified BBCOR, the ball must come back off the bat at half (.50 or 50%) the speed it was launched (for example, a ball launched at 100mph must rebound off the bat at 50mph, or less).

This ensures that the trampoline effect off the bat is contained for 15U players and up, where higher BBCOR readings could create potentially dangerous situations for pitchers and infielders during gameplay.

That is also why BBCOR certified bats must have a length-to-weight differential (aka drop) of -3, thus reducing bat speed from what the drop 5, 8, or 10 (allowed at lower levels) would produce.

The last two criteria a BBCOR bat must abide by are a maximum 2 5/8-inches barrel diameter and a maximum 36-inches total bat length. BBCOR bats, just like USSSA and USA Baseball bats, can be made of composite, alloy, or any mix of the two.

The purpose of the BBCOR certification is to make fiber and metal bats act more like wood bats for higher levels of play. Wood bats become mandatory at most 17U levels and sports academies in Canada, as well as most US collegiate summer leagues, some North American adult leagues, and at all pro levels.

CHOOSING YOUR BBCOR BAT

Much like shopping for a wood bat, feel considerations are very important when looking for your BBCOR tool. A bat must feel just right in your hands when dry swinging it in the store. Also, similarly to wood bats brand preference can be a determining factor in your final selection.

Since drop weight is mandated at drop 3, preferred length and weight is determined in the same way we outlined in the previous blog for wood bats. The difference between choosing a BBCOR bat and a wood bat lies in the materials, and the technological benefits the former can provide you.

Unlike wood bats, there are many bells and whistles current BBCOR bat models offer that make for a very wide range of price points. These technologies, unique to fiber/metal bats, can stem from any or all these parts: knob, handle/grip, barrel, endcap, and the connection system for two-piece models.

Structural materials used in making BBCOR bats include alloy (aluminum-based metal mix), and composite (a mix of carbon and fiberglass) synthetic fibers. There are one-piece full alloy and full composite bats, as well as two-piece all composite or hybrid bat models.

Two-piece bats have been around for 20 years and have evolved tremendously since. Connection systems have been perfected to fill their purpose, which is twofold: reduce vibration felt on contact and produce a bit of a slingshot effect by rebounding from the initial shock absorption.

There is a caveat to the second benefit, however – it is limited to lower swing speeds. For naturally gifted power hitters, the slingshot effect may not have time to take effect and the absorption action may act negatively on exit velocity. That is why sluggers usually opt for one-piece bats that transfer more energy generated by the swing directly to the ball.

That same physics principal applies when comparing barrel materials – composite barrels are springier and more forgiving than alloy barrels. Generally, alloy barrels have a smaller, but hotter sweet spot, and therefore the preferred choice of most homerun artists.

Hybrid bats combine the power of an alloy barrel with the shock tampering of a composite handle and connection system.

Some models are equipped with soft knobs that also have a vibration dampening effect that helps improve the comfort level of the hitter’s dominant hand.

Bat grips and handles have also evolved and improved to include more ergonomic designs that allow players to experience a more natural feel and better grip, thus relaxing the arms, a key to producing a sound, powerful swing.

Lastly, endcaps are key to the integrity of the barrel. They have a stabilizing effect to the whole structure of the barrel on contact and play a key role in barrel performance – forgiveness and pop. Their shapes have changed over the years and the trend has been to make them lighter and lighter to help balance out the swing weight of drop 3 restricted BBCOR bats.

BBCOR bats’ pricing is strictly based on the performance enhancing technology involved in the manufacturing. Two-piece bats are more expensive because of the research and development involved in their connection systems, and composite bats are more expensive than alloy bats because of the more complex manufacturing process they require.

Note that there are grades of alloy, which also affects the price point of various alloy models.

As for composite barrel bats, it is recommended to “break them in” by hitting 100 to 200 balls – making sure to constantly rotate the barrel – before using them in competition. This allows for the inner layers of fiber to loosen up and create a more flexible barrel, thus accentuating the trampoline effect on contact.

Armed with all this knowledge, you can now start shopping for a BBCOR bat that suits the type of hitter you are, but also fits whatever budget you set for yourself.

FINDING THE RIGHT SLOWPITCH BAT

First and foremost, when searching for a softball bat you must know what certifications (stamps) your league or event requires. The cacophony of stamps you see on all slowpitch bats is explained in detail in this previous blog: DEMYSTIFYING SOFTBALL BAT STAMPS.

Once you have that crucial piece of information, the hunt is on!

Many slowpitch players are so passionate about their sport that they watch all the available reviews for all the new models that are launched. Most suppliers now feature three different launches per year, so selection has never been this diversified – and choosing the right bat this tricky…

For detailed technical information on slowpitch bats, go to the “SOFTBALL BATS” section of our Bat Buying Guide. Here, I will focus on the basic criteria that will point you in the right direction when you face our dizzying selection in our shops or on our web store.

First, figure out what type of hitter you are – skilled or beginner/recreational, power hitter or ball placement.

Generally, skilled players will prefer shorter barreled bats. The smaller sweet spot they feature offers more pop when the ball is perfectly struck. Conversely, less experienced, or less skilled players will appreciate the forgiveness that longer barreled bats offer. Our website allows you to search according to your preferred barrel length, which can range anywhere between 12” and 14”.

Similarly, power hitters tend to prefer slightly heavier and end-loaded bats, whereas players aiming for a higher average usually select lighter bats with a balanced swing weight.

If you are purchasing a team bat, a medium weight (26oz or 27oz), slightly end-loaded (0.5oz on the end) or balanced bat with a 13” or 13.5” barrel would have the best odds of satisfying most players. A quick survey of your teammates could help you zone in on the right specs.

As for brand and model selection, as most hardcore softball players would say, you’ve gotta hit with them to find out!

I suggest hitting with as many variations of barrel lengths, weights, swing weights, models, and brands you can get your hands on. Rotating between manufacturers when buying new bats is another way of finding your own niche.

And if all else fails, do what we’ve seen done many times in our shops – buy the prettiest one or the one that best matches your team uniform!