Step 2: Get a batting tee and hit 50-60 balls off of it at half your strength, turning the composite softball bat sideways after each successful hit. The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association . Their composite counterparts would need to go through the break-in process first fully. Make If the sound has changed, then your bat probably is dead. In short, bats wear with usage after a long, difficult season. Use it to break-in a new bat, put a pocket in a tough leather glove, or pound . You should keep the bat in a cool, dry place. Most leagues require bat testing before use. The lifespan of a composite bat is directly related to how many impacts it receives during its life; dont abuse your bat or expect it to last as long as a wooden counterpart if you intend on using it often. The first task was to see whether the crack of the bat could be at all distinguished by the computer from the surrounding sounds. It is important to know how your bat initially sounds at peak performance so that you can recognize if it has faded over time. require a break-in period to reach their optimum in-game performance level. If you discover the bat after the bat has been used, you should only remove it from the game (1-3-4). Sluggers 718 Select is a fantastic choice with a reasonable price point. Uncovering The Mystery Behind The Golden Glove Award What It Takes To Receive This Prestigious Honor, How To Restring A Rawlings Baseball Glove Web: A Step-by-Step Guide, Exploring The Meaning Behind The Phrase Peanut Butter Jelly With A Baseball Bat. They are two-piece constructions made up of a handle and a barrel that is brought together by a connection piece in most of the composite bats. Superficial/cosmetic cracks are commonplace with composite bats. How cold is too cold to use a composite . All bats have a limited life and it all depends upon hitting a hard object with another solid object. Not necessarily. before reaching its full performance potential. You can hear a dull thud sound if a bat is dead. On the other hand, composite bats need a couple of hundred hits to perform at their full potential. As with any piece of equipment, there is no such thing as too strong when it comes to hitting balls just make sure you are using an appropriate baseballbat that can handle the power you put behind each swing. A clean bat fortifies a great grip for hitting and does not clean your metal cleats with your bat. Breaking in your composite bat is fun, easy and can be done in about an hour. By the way, with each increment of barrel compression, you need to go through a minimum of 8 points. When a composite bat is broken, the game changes. You should keep your bat out of extremely hot or cold temperature areas. Begin swinging at 40% power and work your way up to full strength as you get closer to 200 swings. The . It all depends on the type and construction of the bat. Then, once you have completed those initial 150+ swings, hopefully, the barrel of your composite bat should be broken in. Rotate 1/4 After Each Swing. Hit other composite wood bats and then hit with the Baum Bat and you will see why we have been THE KING OF THE COMPOSITE WOOD BAT since 1993. For most single-walled aluminum bats, the "ping" frequency is around 2000 Hz. Therefore, it is essential to inspect your bat carefully and identify the cause of the rattle sound before concluding that it is dead. Many design aspects of a composite bat may affect barrel compression, without affecting the barrel performance accordingly. It shall be a smooth, rounded stick, and made of wood or of material and color tested and proved acceptable to the USA Baseball Bat standard (USABat). For those slow pitch softball fans out there, this is one of the best ways to tell if your bat is dead. Aluminum alloy bats dent. Well, fast forward a few more sessions and bat number 2 just bit the dust, only this time, the bat cracked. A junk ball in tennis is a ball that does not meet the required standards for play. To properly break in your composite bat, we recommend taking 150-200 swings playing soft toss or off a tee using real baseballs. If you get 100 hits off a tee, youve got a good chance of making the cut. You can say the composite bat goes dead when there is a massive crack in it that split the bat in half. I sent it in for replacement, it seemed like a clear crack to me, and . We love it when our cricketers like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya hit the ball over the boundary. After 200 swings in a row, we discovered a slight increase in ball exit speed. It is also recommended to use a batting donut or other weight to the end of the bat while hitting off the tee. You will be entitled to repair or replace the end cap and a loose knob under your warranty. Such bats do not make good contact with the balls. To avoid this lengthy process, players should use an accelerated break-in process that can allow them to gain the most out of their bat within a short period of time. This states: "Breaking in a new composite bat may seem like a hassle, but the effort you put into a break-in will pay off. She didn't see it coming. On . If you notice this happening and you're covered by a warranty, get it replaced immediately. 4. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Check the rotational index on the end cap of the composite bat to ensure that its in good condition and still providing optimum performance. Hit 50 balls off a tee using about 75% power. Because of the different materials and construction method, a composite bat has a unique break-in process when compared to an all-aluminum bat. Mar 29, 2022. Composite bats that are hot and still dont hit true might be dead or headed there.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thebatnerds_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_12',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thebatnerds_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Always remember that aluminum and composite bats have a limited life, and so they will eventually lose their pop over time. Cosmetically, your bat could also be in decent shape but could still let you down during games or cage sessions. 6. To break in a composite bat, you can take 150-200 soft toss or off-the-shelf baseball swings. To keep the mallet in the air, place it in an open space with a sturdy piece of thread, wire, or leather. In case of hitting the ball on the handle or off the end cap, most bats will perform as if it was dead but that does not mean that it is. This material is suitable for distributing the weight evenly throughout the bat. But,only you will know if your bat is making a sound that is not right or different from when you first started swinging it. However, they can also lose their pop with enough use, so it is essential to monitor their performance and check for any signs of deadness. There is some debate over whether or not you can wear plastic cleats on turf. to rotate the bat between each hit. This model has a larger barrel and lighter weight, making it easier to swing and more accurate than a metal bat. Composite bats are high-performance products and have a The trampoline effect will be more pronounced if the material is fully broken-in. Some composite wood bats, such as the Baum Bat, are available for use during the short season and at the start of the rookie season. 2. Superficial/cosmetic cracks are commonplace with composite bats. So composite bats do not usually go dead and the life span of this bat depends upon its use it. It can also be a good indicator of how "broken-in" a composite bat has become, or how much life the bat may still have. It may vary from case-to-case. The temperature of the environment is also an important consideration in this process. While you may have seen some people pop the end cap back in and proceed as if nothing happened, it is almost impossible to reinstate the end cap as it was originally. The greater the trampoline effect, the more fibers are broken down and the bigger the bounce off the bat is. Apply turn of pressure and turn the side lever to pass the bat between 7 to 10 times. If the ball bounces higher than usual, your bat may be broken and should be replaced. Email our warranty team or give us a call us at (225) 291-2552. Make sure to rotate the bat " between each hit. This can be a sign of many different problems with your bat, including wrong batton stiffness, misaligned or not seated properly, and damaged horns. If the sound of a bat youve had for less than a year has changed, it is worth calling the manufacturer if you still have your receipt to have the bat replaced under warranty. If you hear a rattling sound as the player comes to bat, you should declare the bat illegal and apply 7-4-1a and 4-1-3 a-b. The best way to test for these dents is to run your hand across the barrel. And the most common way is to check the barrel for dents or flat spots. If you are still unsure as to whether or not your bat is dead, even after reading this article and answering the following eight questions, please give our friendly Bat Experts a call at 866-321-BATS (2287) to find out what the next step is. It varies from case to case. A dull thud sound when you tap the knob on the ground can also indicate a dead bat, but it is not recommended to use this method. The first is the type of cartridge that you will be using either an Kbs S-Taper or an X100. Before beginning, some tools, such as cotton cloth, bleach-free soap, warm water, and magic erase, must be thoroughly prepared. In order to hit the first 100-150 balls, only half of your normal swing speed and strength should be used. Some manufacturers will have different warranty periods depending on the bat you buy. Figure 1. } A complex mixture of carbon fibers propels the ball off the barrel at higher speeds and exerts more force than an aluminium bat. This tends to be a sign of the composite material being fully broken in and at its peak performance. After these 300 hits, your composite bat will be broken-in and ready for game use. While it may sometimes feel like the bat is coming undone from the inside, its more likely that a small, loose piece of epoxy glue from the endcap or connection piece in the case of two-piece bats has broken off. But, these testers are not always readily available. It is a standard measurement for bats in order to keep track of their performance. Call If they are out of alignment, youll hear an abnormal hissing noise from your bat as air tries to escape around it during hitting practice or games play. A composite bat is made of multiple different materials bonded together, typically carbon fiber and aluminum. 6. Avoid using your bat in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The composite bat is said to be dead if there will be a massive crack that split the bat in half. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { We have even heard of the tried and true method of holding your bat by the barrel and tapping the knob on the ground. Structural cracks are huge, jagged visible splits in your bat's barrel. Now, if you know that your bat is fully broken in but the pop is starting to decline then your bat may be dead or well on its way. If these balls are dense enough, they can damage your bat and reduce its lifespan. Make sure So not sure if the GA needs this but I have DD break in bats this way regardless of what mfg says about break in period. Replace your bat if any of these problems are found; using a broken or damaged bat can lead to injury or even missed balls in games play. Limit it to individual use, if possible. Something about the balls don't compress as good and that can hurt/break the bat. A more reactive bat means further hits. Keep in mind that it is difficult to determine if a bat is dead or not without actually using it, seeing it, or listening to the sound it makes on contact with a ball. recommend that once your bat has completed the below break-in procedure it is Sound is one of the quickest ways to know if your bat is either dead or on its last legs. A composite bat's first 150 to 300 hits fall in its break-in period. A process referred to as break-in. Whether your bat is dead or not, first you need to check the material of your bat. Sent from my LE2115 using Tapatalk. Remember, too much pressure can cause . So, we're going to layout the tell-tale signs to consider. Easton prides itself on the quality and performance of its products, which meet, and often exceed, industry quality and durability criteria or guidelines. If the temperature outside is 100 degrees or higher, you should avoid playing baseball. When you use a bat more frequently, it is more likely to break. This is best to avoid any damage to your newly bought bat. A composite bat is generally thought to last about 300 hits before it degrades. Now, if you are certain that you're drilling the sweet spot during each at bat yet still experience serious sting in the hands, your bat may be on a downward decline towards death. If you start to crush the balls at full strength right at the start, you run the risk of cracking your composite bat. Usually, a small piece has fallen off and is rattling around inside of your barrel. $49.99 + $11.75 shipping. Keep in mind that allbats sound different from each other and there are no two bats that sound alike. Do this to ensure the entire barrel of your bat is broken . A rattle sound inside a bat does not always mean that it is dead. The first step in breaking in your composite bat is purchasing it. There are a few things to consider when choosing an external turntable. As composite bats become more popular at all age and talent levels, we get all kinds of questions about proper care, break-in methods, etc. Most of the time you can find hairline fractures, spiral fractures, or stress cracks in these types of bats. Louisville Slugger Black Carbon Composite Slowpitch Softball Bats, Louisville Slugger 30 in Item Fastpitch Softball Bats, Every piece of equipment reviewed on this blog is one that has been tested and thoroughly read about, to tell you everything you need to know. It will fray and break when the cloth begins to wear down with age. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( The composite core is going to make the bat extremely durable, and because of that, these bats should last the longest. Then, use the rubber mallet to lightly tap the barrel of the bat in a circular motion. If the paint has started to chip or fade, this is usually a sign that the bat is in good condition and ready for use. You can say baseball is very much a mental sport. This will help to slowly strengthen the fibers of the bat and will help it become more durable over time. A composite bat is as good as dead once it forms a structural crack. While if a bat is not dead, it should make a normal, high-pitched ping. It could be caused by a loose piece of the end cap or a broken piece of foam inside the barrel. Do it naturally. One of the most common questions that our Bat Experts receive is, "How do I know if my bat is dead?" 4. The grip of the bat will be reduced as a result of stains and scratches. bat care tips that will keep your bat performing at the highest level possible for the longest amount of time: First things first, ascratch is a cosmetic blemish that should not impact the performance of the bat. Baseball bats are typically made of aluminum, composite, or wood. The broken barrel of a maple bat whacked fan Susan Rhodes, 50, in the head as she sat four rows behind the visitors' dugout at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on April 25. 5. If you want to increase your average while keeping your swing mechanics in check, composite bats are the way to go. If the bat sting the hands more than it normally would it is likely dead. If your composite bat is fully broken-in, in but still its losing its pop continuously. I say "this" because demarini called it a scratch. 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