Bat Reviews

Well it’s almost here…the official start of the 2018 Conference season…and we tested a number of bats before we ultimately decided which equipment manufacture we’d go with.  We did not get to test everything as we had only limited access to specialty bats, and no access to some, so this list is not by any means complete.  Note, I tested all of the bats listed here…so lets begin

First the thank yous – Jason Kendrick – Miken/Worth, Mike Cornell – Demarini, and of course Brett Helmer and Easton.

Each bat was placed in the Tester and run through 3 rounds of BP using Tattoo NX3 Spinner BP balls.  Then re-tested.  Before you guys send me hate mail, I have not had a chance to test the following bats that I have : 2018 Demarini Twisted Mystress, 2018 Demarini Juggy, 2018 Easton Resmondo, and the 2018 Miken Pyscho.  I have the bats, but time didn’t permit me to get to them, as they all arrived later than the ones below.  Bats I have not been able to get (yet) to test 2018 Louisville Slugger Jeff Hall, 2018 Easton Travis Clark, 2018 OA Easton Connell,  and the 2018 Worth Legit Jason Branch model. So without further interruption…

2018 – New Breed – I was fortunate enough to play for Demarini last year and so I can actually compare some of the improvements made in the 2018 New Breed over the 2017.  The biggest thing I noticed was that the end load was more noticeable… Although they often refer to this model as a mid loaded bat…  The sweet spot on this bat has always been tiny however the performance has been quite good. Provided you hit it on the sweet spot.  The biggest complaint about this bat is that if you miss it you had a 47 hopper to the pitcher.  The 2018 model  Is no exception it has a great feel to it when you crush them all off the sweet spot.  This bat tested at a whopping 375 in the plastic!  When placed in the tester it sounded like a bowl of Rice Crispies with milk being poured over it.  Given the high compression test I was not expecting great performance in my limited test.

This bat is a 12″ barrel  Which provides you with significantly more whip and better performance.  Made with the ZnX alloy handle it definately has a stiff handle feel.   Just like the previous year’s model in only took a few rounds of BP for this back to feel good.  It offers decent performance and the one I had seemed quite durable.  However, my limited 3 rounds did not get the bat to what I would consider peak performance.  This bat does get hot,  but not immediately.

Final thought :  For those that prefer 12″ barrel this bat has the distinctive Demarini  feel to it. Which means for those of you who like Demarini you will really like this bat and for those of you that don’t you probably won’t.  It’s hotter than last year’s model with a short break in time.

2018 – Ryan Harvey –  The 1st time I swung this bat was right after I had broken my 2017 EST… I was playing in a tournament at BLD I needed another bat.  So I purchased this one unwrapped it and used it the very next game. I was stunned at how quickly the bat seemed to break in and how easy it was to make good contact.  Right out of the wrapper the bat performed very well.   This bat tested at 250 in the plastic.

The sweet spot on this bat is huge and it makes sense as the Harvey is a 13.5″ Barrel. With a (.5 oz) end load this bat doesn’t feel overloaded on the end.  But the real interesting thing about this Bat is the flex 50 technology and the handle. Talk about whip…it adds distance for sure.  It only took about 20 swings to get really comfortable with this bat.

Final Thought :  This bat is one that was designed for the masses. With its massive sweet spot and long barrel you hardly need many swings to feel comfortable using it.  With its good performance it’s bound to give you confidence when you step into the batter’s box. This bat is great for the beginner just coming up and very durable.  I’ve got well over 500 hits on mine.  You can’t go wrong with this bat.

2018 – Kyle Pearson (Freak 23) – Another 12″ barrel bat, this bat is straight fire.  The first time I swung this bat it reminded me of the Freak ASP I swung at the end of last year.  That was one my of absolute favorite bats of all time.  This bat is even better.  I’m not sure HOW they do it, but it seems that each year they take the best from last year and add one more dimension.  This bat tested at 245-250 in the plastic.

The sweet spot on this bat is huge and quite surprising as it’s a 12″ Barrel. With a maxload (.5 oz) end load this bat feels heavier on the end than the Harvey did.  In reading about the bat Miken has what they are calling a Triple Matrix Core (TMC) +  which increases material volume by 15% which removes wall seams and improves the layer processes…man that was a mouthful… basically .. the things a rocket launcher.

Final Thought : This bats is definitely one tailored for more advanced hitters, but you don’t have to be an expert to reap the benefits of the technology in this bat.  Being a 12″ barrel model means that you miss and you get less..  a lot less …hit it…and you get maximum distance for sure.  I was surprised to learn that Miken makes a 25 oz version of this bat as well.  This bat delivers RAW power.  If you are 12″ barrel guy this is the original Freak 12 on steroids.  Find one.  Buy it.  Hit bombs. ’nuff said.

2018 – Easton Helmer Blue Line – This is the first 12″ barrel Easton I’ve swung.  I can honestly say that I’ve not really used Easton since the Synergy and CNT models a few years ago (not going guess how many…because that will make me cry).   This bat sports Eastons new Fire Flex Technology and I must say “WOW”… “FREAKING WOW”.  This bat brings back the memories of the Synergy + and the Original Easton Synergy.  This bat tested at 240 in the wrapper….that’s right an Easton tested below 300 in the plastic!

With it’s EXACT Carbon design it provides better vibration reduction in the hands while optimizing barrel performance…. well at least that’s what the literature says… and it translates into a straight BOOM stick.  The other interesting feature of this bat is the full 1 oz end load.  Let me tell you … a dozen swings and I was hooked.  Like all 12″ barrels this bat has the hit and gone, miss it and not…but that 1 oz end load just whips your hands through and delivers crushing power.

Final Thought : There are only 1000 of these bad boys out there.  Find one.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this bat go to the family of slain trooper Joel Davis.  That alone makes the purchase worth while, because you won’t be disappointed and some of the money you paid is going to a good cause.

2018 – Easton Fire Flex – This bat surprised me from the get go…with great performance the minute I unwrapped it… Yes, that’s right … an Easton was hot out of the wrapper and didn’t need a few hundred cuts to get heated up! The Easton Fire Flex is made with The second generation of Flex™ Barrel Technology. This bat is a 13.5″ End Loaded bat.  Another shocker…this bat tested at 250 in the wrapper.

The sweet spot on this bat is huge, which is surprising to me as in the past, the Eastons (IMHO) felt more restrictive in that they had a small sweet spot.. that is not the case at all with the new Fire Flex.  Most of the copy on the Fire Flex mentions that it tests 240-250 in the wrapper.  I verified this with my tester.  The second thing that amazed me was the break in time.. 3 rounds of BP (about 75 balls a round – switching bats so not a straight 75) and the bat tested at 220!!! WOW… and I was hitting .52/300 Tatoo NX3 Spinner BP balls.

Final Thought :  If you’ve not swung Easton recently go pick this bat up.  If your a lifetime Easton lover,  go pick this up.  You won’t put it down! As a fan of the long barrel bats, this one felt like it’s cousin the Synergy + which, I must admit, holds a special place in my heart.  I suspect that the more you swing it the more you’re going to love it.