Composite vs Alloy Baseball Bats

There is a common belief that composite baseball bats perform better than alloy baseball bats. But, that's not the case. Composite bats definitely have their benefits over aluminum alloy bats, but when it comes to overall performance the two materials are equally good. With that said, our Bat Experts receive a ton of questions comparing these two different types of bat materials so we've outlined everything you need to know below. Let's dive in. 

Composite Bats

The biggest benefit that composite provides over an alloy barrel bat is the barrel length. Because composite is a lighter material the barrel can be stretched longer than an alloy barrel bat without making the swing weight heavier. The result of this longer barrel provides composite bats with a bigger sweet spot. The likelihood of squaring up a pitch is going to be greater because of the bigger sweet spot. And squaring up a pitch? Well, that's the goal of every swing!

Composite bats also do a better job of dissipating sting or vibration because the majority of composite bats have two-piece designs. Top composite bats tend to be some of the best at preventing vibration and they have some of the biggest sweet spots out of any bats on the market. This two-piece design also helps prevent vibration and sting in your hands on mis-hits because a rubber connection point grounds the vibrations before they reach your hands.

Composite bats tend to be great options for players swinging USSSA baseball bats and USA baseball bats. This is primarily because younger players can use the bigger sweet spot to increase their chances of squaring up the ball and obtaining more consistent, solid contact at the plate. Players at the lower levels are still developing their hand-eye coordination and a composite bat can greatly benefit some of these players. The bigger sweet spot and the ability to reduce sting are great features that can help improve a player's confidence at the plat

Aluminum Alloy Bats

The proof that alloy barrel bats are just as good performance wise is displayed in the college levels of baseball. If you watch a college game, the majority of players prefer to use alloy barrel bats. Players in the college ranks have developed their hand-eye coordination and they no longer need the bigger sweet spots that composite bats provide. One of the most popular bats used in college play is the Marucci CAT series. The CAT features one of the most balanced swing weights out of any bat on the market and it provides college players with some of the quickest bat speeds, which is a great benefit for increasing player's production and allows them to catch up to the faster pitch speeds.

Remember, the next time you are selecting a new baseball bat, do not take the price of the bat as an indicator that the bat is automatically going to make the bat a better performer. When the ball is squared up on an alloy bat and a composite bat, the ball can jump off the bat and provide just as much pop regardless of material. 

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There you have it. Did we answer your question about whether you should be swingining a composite bat or an alloy bat? If not, our Bat Experts are standing by to answer any questions you may have. You can give us a call at 866-321-2287, email at experts@justbats.com, or click here to live chat. We're JustBats and we're with you from Click To Hit!