About Kyle T

Kyle is a Product Manager for JustBats.com

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ASA Rule Update

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Kyle T

As of October 1, 2012, ASA has changed the way they are testing their slow pitch bats. With this change, ASA has also created a new stamp for all ASA-certified bats. Don’t worry though, ASA bats with the old stamp are grandfathered in and legal for play moving forward.

The biggest change has to do with how ASA performs their tests. In the past, ASA bats were tested with a cannon that fired a softball at the barrel of a bat at 110 mph. This test measured the balls exit speed off of the barrel to ensure the bat’s performance didn’t result in an exit speed greater than 98 mph. In the new test, the ball is fired at 105 mph instead of 110, but allows the exit speed to remain at 98 mph. The decrease in cannon speed allows for a greater bat performance. By slowing down the rate of the ball in the test, manufacturers can increase the speed at which the ball leaves the bat.

There was also a change made to the official softball used in ASA competition. In the past, ASA required a 44 Core, 375 compression ball. Now they allow a 52 Core, 300 compression ball. In simplified terms, the ball is now bouncier than in the past. ASA’s goal is to have the ball flex more than the bat and for ASA bats to perform more like USSSA bats.

Even with the new rule changes, not all ASA bats will be USSSA certified. Each bat is specific as to which leagues it is legal. For example, the new Triad from Miken is ASA certified, but is too hot for USSSA play. While the Z-2000 from Louisville Slugger is maxed out on the ASA test, but still able to pass the USSSA certification.

If you have any questions pertaining to ASA bats and their certifications, JustBats.com wants to help find the right bat for you. Don’t hesitate to contact our expert customer service staff and get your new ASA bats today at JustBats.com!

Miken Doesn’t Play the Game… They Dominate It!

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Kyle T

Miken is back in the baseball world and better than ever. This week we saw the release of the brand new RZR line. The RZR is available in BBCOR, Senior League 10, Youth -12, and Junior Big Barrel -10. When the research and development department at Miken sat down to design this year’s line they really took player input into consideration. In past years players were calling for more pop and big barrels. Well, due to rule changes in just about every league, player’s requests have changed. Now we hear requests for better balance and more bat speed. This is exactly what Miken had in mind with the new RZR line.

The RZR features the T3000 alloy. Outside of the one engineer that might read this blog, no one knows what that means. The T3000 alloy is one of the strongest in the industry. Due to the strength of this alloy Miken was able to create a bat with thinner walls and a bigger sweet spot to enhance consistent performance. With thinner walls in the barrel they were also able to create balanced weight distribution to maximize swing speed. Players asked for balance and speed and that is exactly what they will get with the new RZR line.

After swinging the RZR Adult (ABRZR3) I was very impressed. Most of the first generation BBCOR bats had a tendency to be very end-loaded. That is not the case with the ABRZR3. You can really feel the thinner walls effect on the balance. This bat swings like BESR bats of the past. After about ten hits I was really starting to square the ball up. Miken has always had great grips on their bats, but the new Extreme X-Tack grip really feels great in your hands. It almost felt like the bat had pine tar on it. The thin walls in the barrel were very responsive. You can tell they spent the extra time and money to make this bat perform at a peak level. When you consider it is priced at $199.99, and comes with some state of the art graphics, I would feel confident putting the RZR up against the XL3/S3, CAT5, and 5150. Miken took their time on the release of this bat and I personally was very, very, impressed.

Road Trippin’ – JustBats.com Style

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Kyle T

The first weekend in January three members of the JustBats.com team traveled to Anaheim, California to attend the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) annual conference. The conference was held at the Anaheim Convention Center and has always been a very beneficial and enjoyable conference. There are over 500 coaches that participate in this event. There truly is no better gathering of great baseball minds than this event.

While at the event JustBats.com was able to look at new products, meet local coaches, and interact with our customers. Customer Service is one of the core values that helps make JustBats.com who we are. Part of Customer Service is making sure we have a pulse on the industry and listen to our customers and what they want. What better place to tackle both initiatives then California in January. Our team walked up and down the aisles of the show talking with new potential brands making sure we are continuing to offer our customers everything and anything bats.

The evenings were spent interacting with some of the best coaches in the game. Rick Vanderhook, the new coach at Cal State Fullerton, was one that stood out. Rick recently took over one of the best programs in the nation. It was a lot of fun to hear him talk about all the challenges he faced leaving UCLA where he was an assistant coach, and adjusting to his new role. Coach Vanderhook is an avid Easton fan, and seemed excited to swing the new Power Brigade lineup this upcoming season.

While meeting with coaches, listening to guest speakers, and enjoying the weather was great, the main purpose for the trip is to be the voice of our customers to our top manufacturers. At JustBats.com we deal directly with the end customer who swings the bats. We love hearing from our customers and gathering as much information as possible. At a gathering like the ABCA show, we have a platform to take the insight and feedback from our customers and deliver it to the companies that actually make the bats. All the feedback we have received from our customers does not fall on deaf ears. We value everyone’s opinion and make it a top priority to pass it along to improve the product in the game.

All in all, the trip was great. It was fun to meet some of the coaches I have watched on television for years. It was fun to be able to take customer feedback and translate it into better offerings in the future. It was fun to get away from a Midwest winter for a few days and enjoy some sunshine. Whether you are an aspiring coach, or a lifelong student of the game, the ABCA show will not disappoint!

The three guys also were able to catch a quick game while they were there. Only in California can you find a baseball game going on in January!

Chopping Down The Competition With The New Baden Axe Bat

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Kyle T

Baden Sports is proud to present their revolutionary new line of BBCOR baseball bats! If you’ve never heard of Baden’s patented AXE handle, you’re missing out. The revolutionary design is exactly what it sounds like. The handle of an AXE bat is designed like the handle of an actual axe to provide optimal control and grip of the bat. This asymmetrical handle is biomechanically engineered for a flush fit and assists in keeping a hitter on the correct swing plane. As a result, players get better barrel accuracy and a decreased risk of injury and hand fatigue. I am not going to lie, after hearing about this bat a few years ago I was as huge skeptic. I thought to myself, “Here we go again, another absurd handle design.” Honestly, after taking some hacks in the cage I was thoroughly surprised. This is not another gimmick. Baden put a lot of time and thought into the design of this bat. The handle really does give you added control and great balance through the zone. After falling in love with the handle, my next concern dealt with the fact you are continually hitting on the same side of the bat. After talking to some of the engineers at Baden they put this concern to rest. The bat is designed to take the impact of bat/ball collision and distribute the impact throughout the entire barrel. I will say this bat is not for everyone, but for those that are looking for more wrist action at the start of their swing, great balance and feel through the zone, and a top notch bat, this is a great alternative to the conventional bat. Get your AXE bat right here at JustBats.com.

Unbreakable!

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Kyle T

Baum Research & Development Company is the leading manufacturer of wood composite baseball bats in the world. Baum®Bats hit, feel and look exactly like professional wood bats, and the Baum®Bat’s amazing durability outlasts wood 200-500 to one.

Major League Baseball instructed Baum Research & Development to walk a fine line by creating a durable bat while allowing it to break at the upper limits of thick handled Major League wood. Baum Bats are the pioneers in research to evaluate the performance of all bats including metal, wood, and composite bats, both for baseball and softball.

The Patented AAA PRO model Baum®Bat is the only true high-tech wood composite bat, approved for minor league game use by Major League Baseball. It is also approved for NCAA and NFHS use.

Get your Baum Bat AAA Pro today from JustBats.com!

Albert Pujols Chooses JustBats.com

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Kyle T

When looking for advice on where to buy a bat a 9 time All Star, 6 time Silver Slugger, 3 time MVP, and a 2 time Gold Glove Winner is a good place to start. Albert Pujols has long been one of the most feared hitters in baseball. He recently has partnered with Marucci to help design some of the best bats in the game. Albert’s hand print is all over the new Marucci Black. Pujols really challenged Marucci to create one of the most balanced bats in the game. Albert has always stressed the importance of having a balanced bat in order to keep the bat level through the zone. Well, Pujols’ request did not fall on deaf ears. Marucci went a step further and created the MOST balanced bat on the market with an extended barrel. Sounds too good to be true, but it’s not. In fact, its swing weight is modeled after some of the exact bats Albert uses. This means players can rest easy because the Black’s extended barrels will not result in reduced swing speeds like they have seen in many competitor’s designs. But don’t take it from us, take it from Albert himself.

Little League International Announces 2012 Bat Rules

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Kyle T

Little League International just announced a change to the bat rules for the 2012 season. I wanted to take a second to explain the change to make sure all our customers know what they can swing.

The rule only applies to the Little League organization. The kids that are apart of Little League and play with big barrel bats now have to swing BBCOR. Three divisions were effected: Junior (13-14), Senior League (14-16), and Big League (16-18). Any participants in these three divisions will have to swing a BBCOR certified bat.

This is a pretty big deal. Currently BBCOR bats are only available in -3 length to weight ratios and are typically designed for high school players. Considering the lightest youth 2 ¼” barrel bat is a -10, Little League is expecting kids to make a seven ounce jump in a year.

For all those effected don’t worry. JustBats.com is here to help you find the right bat. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Check out Little League’s official press release here.

Beware of the Black

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Kyle T

This week Marucci added a new bat to their lineup. The Marucci Black is the first two piece bat in the Marucci line. So what makes the Black so special?

The extended barrel length results in a large sweet spot and an increased trampoline effect. The balanced weight distribution and reduced M.O.I. gives the bat a lighter swing weight for increased swing velocity. The patented two-piece construction and anti-vibration knob work together to minimize negative vibration and maximize confidence and power at the plate. The Ultra responsive AZ3000 alloy barrel provides the industry best combination of performance and durability.

In addition to the extended barrel, the Black is engineered with Big League Balance in mind. In fact, its swing weight is modeled after some of the most popular Marucci professional wood models. This means players can rest easy, because the Black’s extended barrel will not result in reduced swing speed like they have seen in competitors’ designs.

Maple vs. Ash

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Kyle T

As I was sitting at home watching the World Series these past few nights I was overwhelmed at the number of players who swing maple bats today. Just a few years ago all but a select few of MLB players swung ash bats and now close to 90% of major league hitters choose maple. So why did everyone change?

Why Ash? Ash is a very strong timber and very light weight. Pound per pound, ash is the strongest timber available. Ash has a flexibility that isn’t found in other timbers, like maple. It tends to flex rather than break. This gives you a larger, more forgiving sweet spot in terms of breakage. Ash is also lighter than maple, giving you a wider range of large barrel models. One down side to ash is that it tends to flake or delaminate after extensive use.

Why Maple? Maple is very dense timber with a greater surface hardness than ash. Some players believe this hardness gives them better performance. Maple is a closed-grained timber with a structure similar to layers in a laminated product. This makes the bat less prone to flake than an ash bat and allows for a maple bat to be more durable. When a maple bat breaks, it tends to snap in half rather than just splinter like ash. The heavier weight of maple makes it difficult to make lightweight large barrel models. Most players who use maple use a model with a small barrel to get the bat weight they desire.

In 2001 Barry Bonds made a name for himself smashing homeruns. He was the talk of the town and everyone begin to try and immolate Barry in hopes they could get similar performance. One of the first things they copied was his bat. Barry had long been a maple fan and as a result many players started swinging maple bats. With maple bats appearing at the plate on the reg, players around the nation began to fall in love with the harder wood. Today’s athlete is much different than athletes of the past. Strength and conditioning coaches are a mainstay in every clubhouse. With stronger players the weight disadvantage with maple became a non issue.

As you enjoy the last few days of the baseball season take a look at what bats the pros are swinging. Just the other night Albert Pujols crushed 3 homeruns with his maple Marucci AP5. JustBats.com has the largest selection of maple and ash bats on the web. Get yours today.

Be easy!

Coach Pitch vs. Senior League – There’s a new option available!

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Kyle T

Over the last few years baseball was introduced to a new category of bats that took leagues around the nation by storm. These new “Coach Pitch” bats featured monster barrels and weight to length ratios that had only been seen on Tee Ball bats. The thought of using a 2 ¾” bat with a -11.5 drop was very enticing and many customers took advantage of the new product offering.

A couple years after seeing players crush doubles in to the gap and watching tape measure homeruns fly over the fence, leagues began to take notice. People everywhere knew these bats were intended for younger kids, but it was the 10 and 11 year old player that was swinging these bats. It didn’t take long for league commissioners to make changes to their rules to prohibit the use of Coach Pitch bats in Senior League play.

All the bat manufacturers knew there was still a market for a light bat with a big barrel, so they found a loop hole in the rules. Leagues everywhere had stated that “Coach Pitch” bats were to only be used in coach pitch leagues. What the leagues didn’t reference was a restriction put on the weight to length ratio. With a couple quick changes, manufacturers everywhere started creating Junior Big Barrel bats, which were Coach Pitch bats with a new name. With the new naming convention these bats were now legal in Senior League play.

While the legality issue had been trumped by the manufacturers there was still a durability issue with coach pitch bats. They are intended for use by younger players, but the advantages these bats featured made them perfect for a kid pitch player looking for an edge. As many of you who swing these bats have experienced, Coach Pitch bats just don’t hold up to live pitching. Having beat the new league restrictions, and realizing a strong desire in the market for these bats, manufacturers were left scratching their heads on what to do.

Leave it to the most storied bat manufacturer in the industry to solve this problem. Louisville Slugger took the desire for a light bat with a monster barrel, and customer feedback about durability in to consideration when they rolled out the Triton II and Catalyst.

The Triton II is a full composite bat that features a 2 5/8” barrel and a -12 length to weight ratio and made it durable enough to stand up to live pitching. This alone sounded too good to be true, but then they took it a step further and made this bat available in lengths 28” to 32”. A 32” 20 ounce bat is unheard of in our industry. Not to mention it features all the new USSSA 1.15 BPF requirements and is designed to hit live pitching. They were able to do all this and release the bat at a very reasonable $249.99.

The Catalyst is very similar to the Triton II. The Catalyst features the same barrel diameter and BPF rating, but comes in at a slightly heavier -11 length to weight ratio. It is also available in 28”-32”. The Catalyst retails at $199.99 and offers a more affordable option for customers looking for this one of a kind bat.

While it has been a crazy, winding road that brought us to this point we are very happy to be able to offer customers a bat that meets all their needs. With these two new options from Louisville Slugger players around the world can go to the plate with the LIGHTEST big barrel bat on the market designed to hold up at all levels of play. Your voice has been heard big barrel fans, and there is a new player in town. Check out the new Triton II and Catalyst at JustBats.com!