require a break-in period to reach their optimum in-game performance level. The composite bat is said to be dead if there will be a massive crack that split the bat in half. Bat manufacturers offer either repair or replacement should the end cap or knob loosen or break from normal play. One of the most common questions that our Bat Experts receive is, "How do I know if my bat is dead?" Different bats also have a sound of their own. 1. If you see a massive crack that has split your composite bat in half, then there's a great chance it is dead. Always make sure to read the warranty information before purchasing a new bat as there are sometimes exceptions made depending on model year & manufacturer. Breaking in a composite bat is important to ensure that you are getting the most out of your investment and maximizing your performance on the field. Breaking in a new bat does a few things. wrapper, composite bats need a little warming up. You can find these dents by running your hand across the barrel. Composite bats crack. The use of washing equipment can help to eliminate any odor that may be associated with the sport. before reaching its full performance potential. Thanks for signing up and welcome to theteam! Don't hit your bats against telephone polls or even roll them as it will void your warranty. are designed to withstand can cause premature cracking and damage the bat If you want to increase your average while keeping your swing mechanics in check, composite bats are the way to go. Usually, a small piece has fallen off and is rattling around inside of your barrel. Although manufacturers may differ, the basic rules for caring for your bat are the same. Check on Amazon. Is There Visible Structural Cracking and Denting? Sometimes, you'll even notice that a composite bat can change sounds over time as it starts to break-in. Light bats may be insufficient in terms of providing adequate resistance to the ball, whereas heavy bats are more likely to cause injuries. A longer bat has a higher power than a shorter one, but it is also more difficult to control. composite bats are temperature-sensitive, and should only be used in temperatures of 50 to 85 degrees. Structural cracks are huge, jagged visible splits in your bats barrel. You need to take the material of your bat into consideration when determining whether or not it is dead. The pitching speed should be about 75% to 100% of the fastball The connection piece may fail on rare occasions and you will notice the handle starting to creep up into the barrel. ( Dont use rubber cage balls.) These surface cracks can get extremely severe before the bat actually breaks. Don't Go Full . Keep the bat in an upright position at all times. If you hear a sound like a dead composite bat when you hit a ball, its probably because the ball has struck one of the metal plates that make up the barrel of your baseball or softball bat. Finally, it is important to remember that breaking in a composite bat takes time and patience, but the extra effort will be worth it in the long run. Cricket Bat Selection: IPL 2023 is at its peak. Structural cracks are huge, jagged visible splits in your bat's barrel. Yes, composite bats can lose their pop over time with enough use. This is one of the best ways to tell if your bat is dead or not. After three or more years, you may replace your bat after allowing it to rest during the off-season. These balls are typically used by beginners and low-level players because they are easier to handle and do not bounce as high as other types of balls. I have been told previously that you should not use composite bats in batting cages or against pitching machines. Unfortunately, most bats do lose their pop in time with enough use. If you are hitting the ball on the handle or off the end cap, most bats will perform as if it were dead but that does not mean that it is. Composite bats are quickly becoming the go-to choice for many baseball players due to their superior performance and durability. You can find a comprehensive list in our How to Take Care of Your Baseball Bat article. On the other hand, aluminum bats dont crack or break. USED 2022 Louisville Slugger Meta 34/31 (-3) 2 5/8" BBCOR Baseball Bat BBMTB3 22. . To roll your bat; Insert it perpendicularly to the 3 rollers. For those who are asking what are BBCOR bats, then you came to the right place. Hairline fractures or stress cracks (also structural) are the tiny cracks on the bat that are caused by repetitive hitting or overuse. Before every game take some batting practice breaks at home with your newly acquired composite bat covered by protective gear just as if you were playing an official game this will help acquaint yourself with its feel and performance under pressure while also making any necessary adjustments prior to going out onto real grass fields. Do this to ensure the entire barrel of your bat is broken . Many people accused bats falsely of being dead and just not being hit in the sweet spot. 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. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { When a composite bat is hot off the production line, the inner resin layer is still solid. It is also important to rotate the bat regularly while hitting off the tee so that the whole barrel of the bat is exposed to the flexing motion. It can even affect the effective of your bereak-in. 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. We can assume that what manufacturers have been saying for years is true: bats with composite tails perform better after breaking in. Eastons limited bat warranty is as follows: For the periods specified below from the date of original purchase, Easton will warrant the following bats against defects in materials or workmanship: Composite and Aluminum bats 1 year. The team at JustBats does not necessarily recommend using this method because it is never a good idea to hit your knob on the ground. In truth, a compression test is the only thing thatll tell you for sure, but these testers arent always available. It is also recommended to use a batting donut or other weight to the end of the bat while hitting off the tee. Most leagues require bat testing before use. Such a baseball bat is dead or about to be broken if a significant part of the alloy or aluminum baseball bat becomes indented. The pitching speed should be about 75% to 100% of the fastball speed you normally face. Sluggers 718 Select is a fantastic choice with a reasonable price point. When alloy bats go dead, you will notice significant dents in parts of the bat where it will start to concave. Swing the bat with 50% power when hitting balls to avoid breaking them. 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). 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. Physical Signs. Accelerated Break-In (ABI) Processes are methods used to break-in a bat quickly and bring it to its maximum performance without having to actually put 500 hits on a bat. Generally, however, you neednt worry about your bat rattling since this has no negative impact on your bats performance. Breaking in a new bat does a few things. The Spider Web will disappear over time as the material cures, so be patient. Well, fast forward a few more sessions and bat number 2 just bit the dust, only this time, the bat cracked. Spectra of bat sounds when striking a baseball: wood bat (black), and aluminum bat (red). Check for cracks on the barrel, at the handle, and near the seams of the composite material. That is all part of hitting a hard object with another solid object. lifespan that is directly related to the number of impacts they receive. game use only once broken-in. This ensures that the whole barrel of the bat is broken properly. It is important to save your bat for game use only once it has been broken-in. Rotate The Bat. Size and weight of the bat. To ensure that their bats are fully broken in and reach their full potential in a fraction of the time it would normally take, players must put in the effort and follow the correct procedure. Also be cautious of the warranty time because a day over and they will not honor it. This process is referred to as breaking in a composite bat. Breaking in a new baseball glove can be frustrating, but with a little patience and some elbow grease, youll have the perfect glove for your batting needs. A league umpire or administrator should have access to at least one compression tester. Sometimes, youll even notice that a composite bat can change sounds over time as it starts to break in. 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 recommends about 150-200 swings off of a tee or by hand toss with a quarter rotation after each swing. According to Quatros anecdotal findings, the composite Quatro appeared to improve in exit speed after it had been disassembled. The lifespan of composite bats depends on many factors, such as the amount and frequency of use, the level of care and maintenance, and the type of baseball or softball league. The greater the trampoline effect, the more fibers are broken down and the bigger the bounce off the bat is. Please upgrade to a supported browser: Answer a few simple questions to find your perfect bat. So that, youll get the best bat. When the web turns into a crack, it eventually fails. The number on the bat means that the ball has been hit. When bats are exposed to extreme temperatures, they are more prone to damage, particularly alloy bats and composite bats. If one person uses a composite bat, it usually lasts 1-2 years. A composite baseball bat is a great tool to use when playing the game of baseball. Most leagues will require that your bat gets tested before use. Something about the balls don't compress as good and that can hurt/break the bat. She didn't see it coming. By knowing when it might be time for a replacement, youll avoid any unnecessary hassle or expense down the line. Despite the fact that the process of breaking in composite bats has been shown to reach its full potential, it can be extremely time-consuming, taking 300-500 hits before the bat is completely broken in. 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. As a general rule, you should play with it as much as possible. While if a bat is not dead, it should make a normal, high-pitched ping. You may have seen someone pop an end cap back in place and continue to use the bat. Make sure to have a good Bat Condition Rating (BCR) when hitting at the cage so that your equipment lasts longer. } Choosing the Slowpitch Softball Bat Length. The fastest break-in processes can be used to improve the performance of composite bats. After these 300 hits, your composite bat will be broken-in and ready for game use. The ban is an important step toward ensuring the safety of high school baseball players, and it should be taken seriously. If you get 100 hits off a tee, youve got a good chance of making the cut. May 18, 2022. When alloy bats go dead, you will notice significant dents in parts of the bat where it will start to concave. The fifth step is crucial: you must band the place with something to put pressure on the bat. Under this limited warranty, Louisville Slugger will provide a one-time repair or replacement of your non-wood bat within 1 year from the date of purchase (Warranty Period) for the following 3 conditions resulting from normal field use (1) severe denting, (2) structural cracking, or (3) broken end caps or knobs. })(); Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, The Ultimate Guide to Baseball-Themed Online Slot Games, How To Hem Baseball Pants: A Step-by-Step Guide For Customizing Your Look. Most bats are good for about 1 2 years, depending on use (less if shared amongst entire teams). Learn How To Personalize Your Hat With Vinyl Stickers! 4 Horns Are Bent Or Damaged When one or more horn tips are bent beyond repair due to impact damage or improper fielding technique; this malformation creates an irregularity within the surface area that vibrates at high frequencies (i..e.,sound). Dont automatically assume that the bat is dead if youre not impressed with the performance of your composite bat. The bat must be a baseball bat which meets the USA Baseball Bat standard (USABat) as adopted by Little League. It all depends on the type and construction of the bat. 1. And the most common way is to check the barrel for dents or flat spots. As you may know, composite baseball and softball bats There is no set number of hits it takes to break in a composite bat. 1-866-321-2287. A Composite Bat will often have a longer lifespan than other types of bats if used properly and maintained regularly; however, improper use or poor weather conditions can lead to increased fiber breakage in the bat itself. Our aim is to provide our expertise on everything you need to know when buying baseball & softball equipment. But, these testers are not always readily available. Think of the power you'd use to swing at a . Hit 50 balls off a pitching machine or live pitching Once you have your bat, use a softball mitt when handling it for the first time so that you dont damage it. Make sure not to hit too hard or you may damage the bat. Take it easy when hammering balls you dont want to over-stress yourbat or break it prematurely. The breaking down of composite resin forms spider-web-like cracks on the bats barrel and ultimately improves the performance of your composite bat. 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. The grip of the bat will be reduced as a result of stains and scratches. You can't break in your composite bat just by hitting it 300 times in a row. 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. You should keep your bat out of extremely hot or cold temperature areas. A composite bat can last from around 1 to 3 years after its break-in period (which usually calls for 150 to 300 hits). 2000-2023 Pro Athlete, Inc. 10800 North Pomona Ave, Kansas City, MO 64153. Got a brand new composite bat? A composite can usually last for a few years or more. It may vary from case-to-case. Their composite counterparts would need to go through the break-in process first fully. It may have a massive crack that splits the bat in half or dents that affect its performance and ability to make good contact with the ball. The process of breaking in a composite bat involves hitting the bat with a variety of pitches and gradually increasing the speed of the pitch. To break in your composite bat, youll need to take your time; this is a three-step process. During a particularly humid stretch he got his longest hits of the year. If you are looking to break in a new Demarini composite bat, fill the slots with soft sand or clay. There are so many reasons why I love baseball - I played from a young age through college and it's my favorite sport to watch so I've always followed it very closely. To qualify for warranty service, you must be the original purchaser of the bat and provide proof of purchase from an authorized Louisville Slugger dealer. A complex mixture of carbon fibers propels the ball off the barrel at higher speeds and exerts more force than an aluminium bat. listeners: [], As a result, the bat will be much more effective at reaching its full potential, as opposed to the traditional 300-500 hit method. When compared to alloy bats that can be used immediately after being wrapped, composite bats must be warmed up before being used. A bat can have a life span of anywhere from one to three years. The more fibers that are broken down, the greater the trampoline effect and the bigger the bounce off the bat is. The best person who can tell about your bats condition by hearing the sounds of it is you because you heard the sound of your bat from the beginning. The answer is proper preventative care. Another way you can tell if your baseball bat is dead is by looking for any physical signs. Make sure That is until it eventually fails and the web turns into a crack. Part of this event is educational: there will be a lecture about what . Any type can be rolled and be undetectable; this statement comes with some exceptions. You should avoid striking your bat with it if you want it to remain stable. Hairline fractures or stress cracks (also structural) are the tiny cracks on the bat that are caused by repetitive hitting or overuse. Yellow rubber batting cage balls are bad. Here you'll find information on the game of baseball, from the rules to the history. Unfortunately, most bats do lose their pop in time with enough use. If the batton is too stiff, it will not make contact with the ground evenly and will result in poor sound production. It could be caused by a loose piece of the end cap or a broken piece of foam inside the barrel. Always inspect your bat for any damage after each session even if you dont break it in. For most double-walled bats, it is around 1500 Hz, and for some recent composite bats, it is as low as 1000 Hz. In order to hit the first 100-150 balls, only half of your normal swing speed and strength should be used. Take care of the problem before it becomes a problem. The first step in breaking in your composite bat is purchasing it. Sound is one of the quickest ways to know if your bat is either dead or on its last legs. 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