Easton BBCOR Bats

This video shows the process that the company Easton has to go through to develop bats that meet the BBCOR regulations. This shows another way of how companies go about creating the new bats.

 

Ball Exit Speed

This video shows the difference in ball exit speed between a BBCOR bat and a BESR bat. The fastest exit speed was 90 MPH with BESR and 85 MPH with the BBCOR

Dangers of BBCOR Bats

Even though the BBCOR bats create a safer environment for pitchers and fielders, they still bring their own dangers.

1) If the bats are exposed to extensive use against a pitching machine, the bats will eventually shatter like the picture above.
2) Some models of BBCOR bats have had issues when it comes to having the endcaps pop off. If this happens in a game then fielders and the pitcher would be in danger because of the rate at which the cap flies off.

Average Lifespan of a BBCOR Bat

Depending on which model bat you get can determine how long the bat will last you. For example, the Louisville Slugger Exogrid bat will cost you around $300 and on average will last you about 2-3 years. On the other hand buying a bat that costs $150-200 may last you 1 1/2 to 2 years.
The biggest factor to how long your bat will last is all about how you take care of it. For a more in depth look at how to care for your bat read my post titled "Ways to Care for Your Bat"

Hitting in this kind of weather will shorten your bat's lifespan quickly.

Ways to Care for Your Bat

The following is a list of Bat Care Tips that will help you keep your bat in the best condition possible for the longest time possible.

• Limit the bat to individual use
• Do not use in temperatures below 60°F
• Do not store the bat in extremely hot or cold temperature areas
• Do not clean metal cleats with the bat
• Use regulation, leather covered, baseball and softballs. NOT rubber cage balls
• Do not hit waterlogged balls
• Routinely check your bat for any damage
• Rotate your bat ¼ turn each swing (DeMarini Rotation Index)

Opinions on BBCOR Bats

In February of 2011 NCAA.com posted an article about how the BBCOR bats were viewed by players.

 

 

“[The bats] are definitely different than the old ones,” Herbek said. “I feel like the sweet spot might be a little smaller. If you don’t hit one exactly on the sweet spot you notice a bigger difference to how far it will go. With that said if you do hit one on the sweet spot it’s going to go.”

 

This article shows how the bats were first viewed by one of the top college programs in the country. As some time has past, players and coaches alike have begun to adjust to the bats and have started to learn how to hit the ball solidly. As more time passes , all players will become accustomed to these bats and then there won't be as many complaints.



Selecting Your Perfect BBCOR Bat

These are four steps to take when purchasing a BBCOR bat:

 

 

1. Set a Budget:
• Establishing a price range between $199-$299 will allow for a solid budget that will cover average bats to good bats.
2. Select a Bat Design
• The four bat types are:
1. One Piece Alloy: More affordable and greater selection
2. Hybrid: Combination of alloy and composite, more expensive than one piece alloy bats and relatively small selection
3. Composite: Price and Selection are in the same ball park as the hybrid bats
4. Wood: Lowest price and small selection.
3. Select a Manufacturer
• With every bat company using different methods when building their bats, it all depends on what manufacturer has the best bat for you.
• An example of this is that DeMarini bats usually have a more balanced feel when you swing them as opposed to the more top heavy Verdero.
4. Select the Proper Size
• All high school and college players use a -3 size to weight ratio. Meaning that a 33 inch bat is 30 ounces. Picking the right size is also determined by how strong the player is