Tag Archive for: bbcor bats

There are many factors that go into designing a great baseball bat. Size is important, price is important, weight is important, even material is important. These can come down to player preference in many cases, but knowing what you want and what has the performance you need is important. And then there’s another thing that is important. You need to know whether a bat holds the BBCOR designation before you buy it.

BBCOR stands for “Bat Ball Coefficient of Restitution” and is the standard when measuring baseball bats. It measures something called a trampoline effect and has various measurements involved in testing. This ensures that all bats are going to give the same performance, whether wooden or otherwise. As such, having a BBCOR bat is important for anyone in high school or college baseball teams, among others. Bats with this designation will have a stamp that proclaims it right on the bat. Make sure you always look for that when buying a new bat.

Because BBCOR is so popular and required in many instances, there is a huge amount bats out there with the stamp. Finding one that fits you and your needs can be daunting. That’s why we’re here, though. We researched dozens of BBCOR bats, so you don’t have to. We’ve found the best and brightest of the equipment. We’ll break down the warranties, feel of the bat, design, special features, and more. Details that affect usage will be mentioned in order to give you a good basis for comparison. So let’s get the ball rolling!

Easton is a brand that is well-known and represented on nearly all baseball fields across the nation. The S500-3 is one of the best BBCOR bats out there, while not being overly flashy or showy. It simply gets the job done. Those who want an impressive look to their bat may not be impressed but if you just want to smash balls all day long, check out this Easton. It has all the trimmings that are needed without all the fat, which is something that many really love.

Like all BBCOR bats out there, the drop weight for the S500-3 is a -3. It has a standard barrel diameter of 2 5/8”, as well. The Easton 5500-3 comes in various sizes including 31”, 32”, 33”, and 34”. These are pretty standard but it’s always nice to know you have options.  It is constructed of 7050 aircraft alloy, something that gives a great swing speed and makes it stand out against the pack. As far as the handle goes, it is thin and tapered with an all sports grip that people love. It seems to be a good fit for nearly everyone who has used it.

This bat has an understated design that is mostly blacks and greys, but uses yellow for highlights. It’s classy and not very overwhelming if that’s something you enjoy in your choice of bat. It’s a solid bat for the first time player or someone who has experience but not as much cash. You aren’t going to have complaints, either way.

Pros:

• Constructed of 7050 aircraft alloy for quick swing
• All sports grip to keep it steady
• Balanced swing weight
• Cheapest bat on the list
• One-year warranty

Cons:

• Older style bat, might turn some off

This bat is billed as “the ultimate training bat” and it’s not hard to see why. Made by Mizuno, a company with years of experience engineering bamboo bats. This bat in particular is a combination of bamboo and glass fiber, which makes it super durable and able to stand up to anything. It also offers a sanded handle to give a better grip than a typical bamboo bat would. These things make it a bit new and different, which some really enjoy and some don’t.

The drop weight is the standard -3 of a BBCOR certified bat. It comes in a 31”, 32”, 33” and 34”. It comes with a standard diameter for a BBCOR and is approved for collegiate play. This is definitely the right option for someone looking for a BBCOR but wanting to hold onto some wood. It’s a really nice design and stands up to the competitors around it. It has the needed facets and bumps them up a notch with the wooden style.

The colors on this one are red for the handle and blue for the rest of the bat. It’s pretty subtle and unassuming to me, not flashy at all, just a typical look for a bat. But it doesn’t need to look like a flashy bat. The bamboo and glass fiber makes it interesting from the get-go. For those who like something a bit more unique than the typical, this bat is going to make you joyous. Check it out and see what I mean. You’ll love it, if you’re like me.

Pros:

• 120-day warranty and one-time replacement
• Unique bamboo and glass fiber composition
• Sanded handle for better grip
• Decent price

Cons:

• May require batting tape for grip rather than pine tar
• Marks up pretty easily

The Marucci Cat 6 is a great bat with some astounding features. It has a 2 5/8” barrel which is extended for a bigger sweet spot and maximum performance. It has a typical drop weight of -3. This bat is similar to the ones above in that it comes in sizes from 31” up to 34”. It is made of an alloy and is one piece to give a feel that reminds you of the good old days. It’s known for being both durable and having amazing performance ability. Another perk in this one is that it incorporates a patented anti-vibration knob to eliminate sting. It also has optimized thickness of the barrel-end wall to give up some fast and furious swings.

The look of the bat is extremely understated. It’s white with a gray handle and the name of the company and style is emblazoned on it in red. Other than that, no big graphics or anything of that nature. The bat is what it is and doesn’t need extra help from graphics. That said, it does look nice. I think if you prefer something a bit minimalistic, this bat could take you there. The colors look nice together and everything comes together as it should. Definitely a fan of this one for that.

Pros:

• Patented anti-vibration technology
• One-piece alloy construction
• Extended barrel profile
• 12-month manufacturer’s warranty

Cons:

• White finish gets dirty easily
• Higher price

I’m sure nobody is surprised to see an offering from Louisville Slugger on the list as it is one of the most well-known bat makers there is. It comes with a -3 drop weight and has a 2 5/8” barrel, as do the rest of the 5 best BBCOR bats. In addition to this, the bat has a tapered handle and features Lizards Skins grip which gives more softness than the typical bat you might be. Also of note is the 7U1 Alloy which makes it the lightest of Omaha’s bats, ever. It has a huge sweet spot and thinner walls due to the flex band inside the barrel.

This bat is very graphically influenced with everything from black and white to red and yellow making an appearance. It is flashy and would be great for someone who enjoys that sort of equipment. It’s going to stand out and stand out well. That can be great for some but maybe not all. In either case, you’re never going to lose it with all that color going on! I can see these being popular in some crowds and for good reason, even if it’s not my personal taste.

Pros:

• Lightest Omaha BBCOR to date
• Flex band technology
• 12-month warranty
• Lizard Skins grip
• Large sweet spot

Cons:

• Price is a bit higher than others

Last on the list is from Rawlings and it packs a hefty amount of features that make it special. This bat comes in the typical bat lengths from 31” up to 34”. It has a -3 length to weight ratio, as expected. It also has a standard barrel diameter of 2 5/8”. The Velo is one of the best BBCOR bats out there and offers an alloy handle that gives a grounded feel at the plate This bat is known for being balanced and that partially comes from the composite end cap used in the design of the bat. It also features precision optimized performance than gives more flex in the barrel and expands the size of the sweet stop. This leads to a bat that will not let you down when you’re out there swinging.

The Velo is mainly silver and blue but there is a bit of yellow in spots. It’s a nice looking but not overly flashy bat. Anyone who likes blue is bound to like it as the largest surface area is a navy blue color. There’s nothing really special about the looks, otherwise. It’s another of those bats that puts its features where they should be, in the actual bat performance. In this case, the look isn’t bad and won’t dissuade people from buying this particular bat.

Pros:

• Huge sweet spot
• Weight is well distributed
• Very lightweight feel
• Maximum strength and ping
• 12-month warranty

Cons:

• This is the most expensive bat on our list

There you have it, The 5 Best BBCOR Bats on the market. You are now informed to make an educated purchasing decision.