Hit Like A Machine

rawlingsmachPower, speed, durability and American made are a few adjectives to use when describing the 2014 Rawlings Mach. New technology from Rawlings, combined with a two-piece fully composite design give you a high-performing bat to take your game to the next level. Lets take a closer look at the technology featured in the 2014 Rawlings Mach that resulted from countless hours of research and development.

Max CFD Technology

The new Max CFD Technology maximizes the carbon fiber density of the bat. Simply put, Rawlings has added more carbon fiber to the Mach and minimized the amount of resin. This creates a bat that will perform better, last longer and retain its pop better over time.

Barrel Flex Technology

Barrel Flex is another term for, “trampoline effect.” This describes the amount the barrel flexes when contact is made with the ball. The more barrel flex, the greater the bat will perform. Rawlings’ new Barrel Flex Technology gives the 2014 Mach 55% more barrel flex than the next closest competitor!

Flex Tuned Handle

The handle of the Mach is Flex Tuned, giving it increased flex from previous models. The Flex Tuned Handle creates a whip action once you start your swing. The whip action results in an increase of bat speed and bat control allowing you to generate more power at the plate.

The 2014 Rawlings Mach is currently available in Youth and Senior League models. Check them out today and be sure to continue submitting your Photos and Bat Reviews to the weekly JustBats.com Gift Card Giveaway Contest for a chance to win a $25 or $300 JustBats.com Gift Card!

Huge Performance and Huge Savings!

Demo BatsAre you looking for a bat to take your game to the next level but don’t want to break the bank? If so, check out our selection of Demo Bats for some HUGE savings!

You are most likely asking yourself, “What is a Demo Bat?” The answer is simple; a Demo Bat is a bat that has been gently used and sold at a discounted price. Many of the bats in the Demo Bats section of our website have been used for our in-house product videos and research. The discounted price is determined by the condition of the bat. Most of the Demo Bats we offer are like new. There are no structural flaws (dents/cracks) or performance issues unless otherwise noted, rather the flaws are usually cosmetic.

Because the Demo Bats have been used, there is no manufacturer’s warranty like there is with new bats. However, a Demo Bat purchased through JustBats.com has a two-week trial period from the date of purchase. If you receive your Demo Bat and decide you don’t like the look or performance, you can return it, no questions asked, for a full refund.

The selection of our Demo Bats changes daily, so be sure to check them out regularly along with other can’t miss deals on our Closeout Bats and Bat Packs! Here are some of our most popular Demo Bats currently available at JustBats.com!

2013 Marucci Black 2: Youth

2013 Rawlings VELO: Adult BBCOR

2013 Louisville Slugger TPS oneX: Fastpitch

2013 COMbat Pure: Senior League

2013 Worth 454 Resmondo Max Endload: Slow Pitch

Bat Dual: Rawlings 5150 & 5150 VELO

Ever since the Rawlings 5150 arrived on the scene it has been one of the hottest selling bat series on the market. With its balanced swing weight and incredible pop, the 5150 quickly caught the attention of ballplayers looking for a hot bat that gave them an advantage at the plate. That includes the South Carolina Gamecocks who used the 5150 during their 2010 NCAA World Series Championship season.

When Rawlings unveiled the 5150 VELO in early 2012, there was some confusion amongst 5150 enthusiasts as to which bat would be best suited for their game. JustBats.com would like to break down the differences between these two incredible bats and help you decide which bat fits your hitting style.

5150 Key Features:

  • One-piece alloy design
  • Constructed from 5150® alloy which is formulated for higher strength and increased flex.
  • Precision-Optimized Performance™ (pOp™) barrel technology – this isolates the added weight to a smaller region on the barrel, translating into increased bat speed
  • Decreased M.O.I. (Moment Of Inertia) increases bat speed
  • BBCOR & USSSA certified
  • BBCOR available in ½” and ½ oz. increments for a more customizable fit

5150 VELO Key Features:

  • One-piece alloy design
  • Constructed from 5150® alloy which is formulated for higher strength and increased flex.
  • Precision-Optimized Performance™ (pOp™) barrel technology – this isolates the added weight to a smaller region on the barrel, translating into increased bat speed
  • Comp-Lite (composite) end cap
  • Bifusion™ technology securely joins the Comp-Lite end cap to the alloy barrel.
  • Decreased M.O.I. (Moment Of Inertia) increases bat speed
  • BBCOR & USSSA certified

After breaking down the specs of each bat, you see that they are very similar in design except for the Comp-Lite end cap on the 5150 VELO. The composite end cap gives the 5150 VELO a lighter feel which improves bat speed through the zone. Overall, both bats are excellent options for the player who likes the feel of a balanced, one-piece bat with the 5150 VELO having a slightly lighter swing weight for increased bat speed.

Are you a fan of the 5150 or 5150 VELO? If so, share your comments and let us know what you like about your bat. Do you have pictures or video of you hitting? Submit them to our Gift Card Giveaway for a chance to win a $25 or $300 gift card from JustBats.com!

2012 Rawlings Gold Glove Winners

Some of the most rewarding experiences in baseball happen in the field; diving for a ball full extension to make a spectacular play to save a run or standing in at second base with a runner bearing down on you to turn the double play that gets your team out of a bases loaded jam are just a few of the beautiful things that happen on defense. Consistent excellence in the field is what makes good players great, and great players Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners!
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award is given out every year to honor the best defensive players in baseball and are a testament to the value of consistent defensive excellence. The Rawlings Gold Glove Award was established in 1957 and winners are chosen in each position from both the American League and National League. For only the 3rd time in the history of the award, two players (Jake Peavy, Jeremy Hellickson) tied in voting. This years field of winners includes your usual suspects such as Yadier Molina and Jimmy Rollins and a number of 1st time winners such as Adam LaRoche and Josh Reddick. Check out the full list of 2012 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners below!
American League
P – Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox, Rawlings Two-Piece Closed Web

C – Matt Wieters, Baltimore Orioles, Rawlings Two-Piece Closed Web

1B – Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees, Rawlings Double Post Web

2B – Robinson Cano, New York Yankees, Spalding I-Web

3B – Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers, Rawlings I-Web

SS – J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles, Rawlings Modified Trapeze Web

LF – Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals, Rawlings H-Web

CF – Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles, Rawlings Trapeze Web

RF – Josh Reddick, Oakland A’s, Wilson A2000 Y Web (Discontinued)

National League

P – Mark Buehrle, Miami Marlins, Rawlings Modified Trapeze Web

C – Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals, Rawlings Two-Piece Closed Web

1B – Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals, Mizuno H-Web

2B – Darwin Barney, Chicago Cubs, Wilson I-Web

3B – Chase Headley, San Diego Padres, Wilson I-Web

SS – Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies, Nike I-Web

LF – Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies, Nike H-Web

CF – Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates, Nike Trapeze Web

RF – Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves, Rawlings H-Web

One-Piece vs. Two-Piece Bats

What type of bat is right for my hitting style?

In a baseball and softball bat market of ever increasing technology the recurring questions always come back to one-piece bats vs. two-piece bats. Which is better for a power hitter? Which is better for a contact hitter? What are the benefits to one over the other? Unfortunately there are no black and white answers to these questions because every hitter has their own preferences, but there is a clear difference in constructions and technology between one-piece bats and two-piece bats. We at JustBats.com are here to provide you with the facts to allow you to make the most informed decision possible. Here are the facts.

First we should lay the groundwork starting with the basic difference in construction of the two bats. A one-piece bat is developed as one continuous piece of metal. A two-piece bat is created in two sections, the barrel and the handle, which are bonded together. Now that we know how they are constructed we can move onto the science behind the two construction methods.

One-piece bats provide little or no give and have a stiff feel when contact is made with the ball. Due to the fact that one-piece bats have a very minimal amount of flex at contact, little or no energy is lost which results in more power. For this reason, one-piece bats are preferred by stronger players with above average bat speed such as a power hitter.

Two-piece bats provide more flex at contact with the ball. The two-piece construction creates a “whip” effect that results in an increase in bat speed. An increase in bat speed results in an increase in power. For this reason players with average or below average bat speed such as a contact hitter, prefer two-piece bats .

We would encourage everyone to check out our JustBats.com Buyers Guide and JustBats.com Bat Resource Guide for additional information on the differences between one-piece and two-piece bats and other fantastic information such as sizing charts to figure out the appropriate bat size.

Here are links to some of our most popular one-piece and two-piece bats for Adult, Senior League (Youth Big Barrel), Youth, and Fastpitch Softball models.

Adult One-Piece: Rawlings 5150 VELO , RIP-IT Prototype AIR

Adult Two-Piece: DeMarini Voodoo , Easton S1

Senior League (Youth Big Barrel) One-Piece: Easton S3 , Louisville Slugger TPX Omaha

Senior League (Youth Big Barrel) Two-Piece: DeMarini Vexxum , Marucci Black 2

Youth One-Piece: COMbat B2 Reloaded , Rawlings Plasma

Youth Two-Piece: DeMarini CF5 , Easton XL1

Fastpitch Softball One-Piece: RIP-IT Prototype AIR , Mizuno Whiteout

Fastpitch Softball Two-Piece: Louisville Slugger TPS Xeno , DeMarini CF5

An “Inside Look” At The Rawlings 5150 Alloy BBCOR!

Ever wonder what makes Rawlings BBCOR bats different than every other brand out there. Well here is an “inside look”, literally, at the technology that goes into the NEW 2013 Rawlings 5150 Alloy BBCOR bat. See what Rawlings has done to improve the performance, swing weight, and durability while keeping up with the BBCOR standards with this new model. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our Customer Service Representatives available 7 Days a week, 24 Hours a day. Be sure to pick up your new Rawlings 5150 at JustBats.com. Remember from Click to Hit: FREE SHIPPING!

2013 Rawlings Machine: YBMACH Youth

New for 2013, the Rawlings Machine youth bat utilizes the help of new technologies that are all designed with one goal in mind: to increase player swing speed with exceptional balance and feel! This starts with Precision Optimized Performance (pOp) Technology. This  technology is accomplished through isolating the added weight to a smaller region on the barrel than any other competing bat. The maximum rebound zone of the bat is surrounded by thin walls that create additional flex and a larger, more reactive sweet spot. The Machine is built from Rawlings X-Treme Performance Composite that gives this bat outstanding barrel trampoline and excellent durability. Ph.D Technology is used inside the handle to dampen vibration and improve the feel of the bat.  The Machine is approved for play in Little League, Babe Ruth, Dixie, Pony, AABC, and USSSA. It also features the new USSSA 1.15 BPF Stamp. Check out the Rawlings Machine at JustBats.com today!

2012 Rawlings 5150 VELO: YB51V Youth

If you’re a younger player that’s wanting to increase your swing speed then this would be a great bat for you. The Rawlings 5150 VELO features a very lightweight design that helps younger players increase their swing speed and it also has thinner walls to help you hit the ball further. The VELO is also made from Rawlings 5150 alloy which is actually a lot stronger than most alloys used on other bats. The thinner walls on this bat also allow for a greater flex in the barrel give the batter an awesome trampoline effect. Ready to pick one up? Come grab it today from JustBats.com.

Player of the Week: Joe Mauer

This week’s Player of the Week and signature bat are Major League catcher Joe Mauer and the Rawlings Joe Mauer Game Day Ash Wood Bat. Mauer is a Major League catcher for the Minnesota Twins and is the only catcher in the history of the Major Leagues to carry three batting titles under his belt along with winning three consecutive Gold Glove Awards. Mauer is a very well rounded athlete with accomplished high school careers in basketball and football, but ultimately he chose to go with a professional career in baseball and it’s been a great choice with a lot of career highlights and accomplishments.

Mauer was the first overall pick by the Twins in the 2001 draft and since then has performed extremely well as a catcher, proving himself in 2006 by becoming the first Major League catcher to lead the Majors in batting average and becoming the first American League catcher to walk away with a batting title, with an average of .357.

We all know that Major League baseball players typically get better bats than most players, but there is an exception to that this year. Rawlings just happens to have an over abundance of big league caliber bats and they are selling them to the general public! So if you looking for a Major League quality wood bat then stop by JustBats.com to pick up the Rawlings Joe Mauer Game Day Ash Wood Bat before they are all gone!

Vendor of the Week: Rawlings

Web-Site:
www.Rawlings.com

Founded: 1887

History and Background of Rawlings:
Rawlings is a major manufacturer of competitive team sports equipment and apparel for baseball, basketball and football, as well as licensed MLB, NFL and NCAA retail products. Rawlings is a major supplier to professional, collegiate, interscholastic and amateur organizations worldwide, including the Official Baseball Supplier to Major League Baseball and the Official Basketball and Football for NCAA Championships.

The first real innovation in glove making occurred in 1912 when Rawlings Sporting Goods Company introduced the “Sure Catch” glove, which was “endorsed by leading players all over the country”. The Sure Catch was a one-piece glove with sewn-in finger channels and looked better suited for a duck’s foot than a man’s hand. Catchers’ mitts used at the time were large and bulky with a single leather thong passing for a web.

In 1920, Bill Doak, a journeyman pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, approached Rawlings with an idea for improving the baseball glove from a mere protective device to a genuine aid in fielding. The “Bill Doak” model was so revolutionary that it stayed in Rawlings’ line until 1953. Its key feature was a multi-thong web laced into the first finger and thumb, which created for the first time in baseball’s young life, a natural pocket.

In 1925, Rawlings unveiled a three-fingered fielder’s glove, and 10 years later improved the Bill Doak model with a two-piece leather web. At the same time, the “T” web became a rage for first basemen’s mitts. The pocket underwent a pronounced change in 1941 when the Trapper Mitt, also known as the Claw, appeared. The “Deep Well” pocket was so unique that Rawlings quickly patented it. The design was improved in 1950 by adding a leather piece across the top. Another significant creation occurred in 1948 with the three-fingered Playmaker. A five-fingered fielder’s model, with all fingers laced together, provided greater pocket control.

The six-fingered Trap-Eze evolved in the 1960′s. In more recent years, Rawlings produced the Fastback design, which gives a glove a snugger fit, greater extension and overall control. The Holdster is a slot through which a finger can be extended for additional protection from impacts on the pocket. Then, there is the Edge-U-Cated Heel with its extended U-shaped lacing and the Pro H Web and much copied Basket Web.

Some of Rawlings more recent glove innovations also include the unique Spin-Stopper design which reduces ball spin when the ball hits the glove, and the Cantilever glove design feature that provides a cushioned area between the hand and the glove’s palm area. In all, Rawlings has produced and patented more functionally innovative glove features and designs than that of any other glove manufacturer. The result is that the modern baseball glove is much larger, more comfortable, better padded and made to last far longer than its ancestors. It is not uncommon to see today’s Major League players wearing the same Rawlings’ glove they wore during their college playing days. In fact, Rawlings is the #1 glove in the major leagues. Rawlings maintains about 65 models of baseball and softball mitts and gloves in its line. The prototypes of virtually all of them have been field tested by professionals before entering a sporting goods dealer’s inventory.

Rawlings Gold Glove Award:
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award is given to the best by those who best know how to evaluate performance. Rawlings established the Gold Glove Award to recognize the best fielders at each position in Major League Baseball. Managers of each team select a squad of the best defensemen in their league, excluding their own team.  Since 1958, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award has been presented annually to a lineup of 9 players for both the American and National Leagues.  In 1957 coaches voted for the first team of Gold Glove players.

1957 Gold Glove Award Winners:
P  Bobby Shantz, New York Yankees
C  Sherm Lollar, Chicago White Sox
1B  Gil Hodges, Brooklyn
2B  Nellie Fox, Chicago White Sox
3B  Frank Malzone, Boston
SS  Roy McMillan, Cincinnati
LF  Minnie Minoso, Chicago White Sox
CF  Willie Mays, New York Giants
RF  Al Kaline, Detroit

Come check out our line of Rawlings bats at JustBats.com today!