USSSA baseball bats

[BHC Vic]

I figure there’s enough baseball dads here I’ll get some decent feedback, or just more of the same from all the other forums. Originally Eli was just going to play Bronco division in Jurupa pony. He tried out for the Web baseball program and it looks like he’s also going to be playing with their 11U team. Last weekend I bought him a USA ICON. It was expensive but we used the 20% off and that helped. Yesterday when the coach asked if he wanted to play in the next tournament I realized now I need to go buy him a USSSA. When we played with premier we had 3 or 4 friends on the team and he used their HYPEs. I think he’s between the ICON and the HYPE now for USSSA. Eli is a tiny 11 year old. He trains a lot and he’s getting stronger but he’s still a little kid. His USA ICON is a 29 -12. His USSSA is going to be a drop 10 so he has to compromise. Probably 28 -10. Anyways with that little bit of info what do you guys got. With a drop 10 does it really even matter other than confidence. And yes I am a firm believer confidence goes a long way. Like Bryce Harper’s dad buying hot balls for Bp. Confidence is key for these kids anyways what bat are your kids swinging

 

[Englewood]

I have a solid bat connect if you need one. The best USSSA is the Hype Fire or Soldier Tank.

 

[BHC Vic]

I have a solid bat connect if you need one. The best USSSA is the Hype Fire or Soldier Tank.

I like the soldier tank. Only bad I’ve heard is a little fragile, which they all are, and end cap and knob defects. I think that one should be in the running for sure and I line the price point on the soldier tank.

 

[Bobby V]

I like the soldier tank. Only bad I’ve heard is a little fragile, which they all are, and end cap and knob defects. I think that one should be in the running for sure and I line the price point on the soldier tank.

Ha Ha. When I played Little League we used wood bats. If we cracked them, a couple nails and duct tape we were good to go.

 

[TPayne]

A few great options, Icon, Catx2 Comp, Soilder Tank, Hype Fire are all good options. Unfortunately in U Trip the higher end bats perform significantly better than the budget bats.
Icon is a slightly endloaded bat
Hype Fire is endloaded
Catx2 is balanced
Solider Tank is balanced as well

 

[BHC Vic]

A few great options, Icon, Catx2 Comp, Soilder Tank, Hype Fire are all good options. Unfortunately in U Trip the higher end bats perform significantly better than the budget bats.
Icon is a slightly endloaded bat
Hype Fire is endloaded
Catx2 is balanced
Solider Tank is balanced as well

I hate admitting my ignorance but can you explain end loaded and balanced to me. I’ve played baseball my whole life and a lot of people say I have a nice swing, even still when I play adult league, but I don’t know what that means and I’ve been too embarrassed to ask.

 

[TPayne]

Both bats being same length and weight the balanced bat will swing lighter, have a bit less exit velo and have a smaller feeling sweet spot. Endloaded bats tend to swing heavier, have more exit velo and the sweet spot will feel bigger.

 

[BHC Vic]

Both bats being same length and weight the balanced bat will swing lighter, have a bit less exit velo and have a smaller feeling sweet spot. Endloaded bats tend to swing heavier, have more exit velo and the sweet spot will feel bigger.

That makes sense. I don’t like his ADV because I feel like it has a tiny sweet spot even when kids are barreling the ball.

 

[HBCraig]

I figure there’s enough baseball dads here I’ll get some decent feedback, or just more of the same from all the other forums. Originally Eli was just going to play Bronco division in Jurupa pony. He tried out for the Web baseball program and it looks like he’s also going to be playing with their 11U team. Last weekend I bought him a USA ICON. It was expensive but we used the 20% off and that helped. Yesterday when the coach asked if he wanted to play in the next tournament I realized now I need to go buy him a USSSA. When we played with premier we had 3 or 4 friends on the team and he used their HYPEs. I think he’s between the ICON and the HYPE now for USSSA. Eli is a tiny 11 year old. He trains a lot and he’s getting stronger but he’s still a little kid. His USA ICON is a 29 -12. His USSSA is going to be a drop 10 so he has to compromise. Probably 28 -10. Anyways with that little bit of info what do you guys got. With a drop 10 does it really even matter other than confidence. And yes I am a firm believer confidence goes a long way. Like Bryce Harper’s dad buying hot balls for Bp. Confidence is key for these kids anyways what bat are your kids swinging

I still have a shit ton of bats from my son. From little league through HS. Easily 3k or so in the garage.
You're right, nothing beats confidence in the box. I still tell my players they need to take quality swings 7 days a week

 

[Englewood]

I like the soldier tank. Only bad I’ve heard is a little fragile, which they all are, and end cap and knob defects. I think that one should be in the running for sure and I line the price point on the soldier tank.

Every bat in -10 is fragile. You will become very accustomed to the warranty return process. I have at least 6 broken -10’s.

The real fun starts at 14u+ when the bats aren’t hot anymore.

 

[BHC Vic]

I still have a shit ton of bats from my son. From little league through HS. Easily 3k or so in the garage.
You're right, nothing beats confidence in the box. I still tell my players they need to take quality swings 7 days a week

Kid walks around dragging over 1000 bucks

 

[skifaster]

We splurged and got my son the Hype Fire for his birthday for this season. He loves it so far. Can't comment on the others from experience, but he is happy with the Hype Fire.
It seems like everyone is going to the Web program. Lots of kids from Corona National LL have gone to Pony and/or Web. Shockingly CNLL player numbers are up this year compared to last, but that is only because of the younger divisions. Only 2 teams in Majors compared to 3 last year.

 

[RVRKID]

I would go with this one, I hit a lot of homeruns with one like it back in 83-84

Easton 32" 28oz 2 5/8” Big Barrel Natural Pro Balance Baseball Bat Model B5 3228 | eBay

<p>The bat needs a new grip</p>

www.ebay.com

 

[BHC Vic]

We splurged and got my son the Hype Fire for his birthday for this season. He loves it so far. Can't comment on the others from experience, but he is happy with the Hype Fire.
It seems like everyone is going to the Web program. Lots of kids from Corona National LL have gone to Pony and/or Web. Shockingly CNLL player numbers are up this year compared to last, but that is only because of the younger divisions. Only 2 teams in Majors compared to 3 last year.

Yea I ran into Beck and a few others at practice. NLL basically pushed me and my team out. Long story and lots of drama but it is what it is. The numbers are also up for Norco but competition level is way down.

 

[dspracing]

I would go with this one, I hit a lot of homeruns with one like it back in 83-84

Easton 32" 28oz 2 5/8” Big Barrel Natural Pro Balance Baseball Bat Model B5 3228 | eBay

<p>The bat needs a new grip</p>

www.ebay.com

Right? I was not tracking all these fancy bats. I thought that was what kid's used still.

 

[Motor Boater]

Welcome to the party! Nothing like buying $400 bats every 8 months. We were in the same boat playing both little league and club so we had USA and USSSA bats in the bag. Then at 14 they go to BBCOR! Good times!

My 12 year old hits the hype fire. It’s a great bat. If he didn’t have that he’d have the ICON. Can’t go wrong with either one. Dicks 20% off coupon is your friend. And like others have said, they break…a lot! Send it in for warranty and you have to buy another one while it’s being warrantied if you can’t borrow one from a team mate.

My favorite thing is watching the on deck kid throw my sons $400 bat 30 feet and watch it crash to the ground and hit the fence!!

Let’s just say my wife’s Louis Vuitton is NOT the most expensive bag in the house anymore.

 

[WildHorses24]

Every bat in -10 is fragile. You will become very accustomed to the warranty return process. I have at least 6 broken -10’s.

The real fun starts at 14u+ when the bats aren’t hot anymore.

My oldest is in 14u and started BBCOR tourneys and wood bat only tourneys. It's not as exciting to watch as last year!

@BHC Vic My younger son is in 11u, he's on the small size too but he has a great swing and always on time. Have had just about every bat between my 2 kids, We went to a -8 29 Hype Fire, problem with HOT bats is longevity. Like others have mentioned, Dicks has a great bat replacement program. I will say the CatX would be a perfect fit for him they feel lightweight and balanced or the ICON. I just gave away a 29 -10 that would have been perfect for him. If he never has a problem with timing, I'd go a little heavier. My little noddle armed kid is the led off hitter, not because he hits tanks but always makes contact and fast.

I should add the best bat for a kid is the one that makes him feel comfortable and confident at the plate.... 90% of hitting is in between the ears!!

 

[BHC Vic]

My oldest is in 14u and started BBCOR tourneys and wood bat only tourneys. It's not as exciting to watch as last year!

@BHC Vic My younger son is in 11u, he's on the small size too but he has a great swing and always on time. Have had just about every bat between my 2 kids, We went to a -8 29 Hype Fire, problem with HOT bats is longevity. Like others have mentioned, Dicks has a great bat replacement program. I will say the CatX would be a perfect fit for him they feel lightweight and balanced or the ICON. I just gave away a 29 -10 that would have been perfect for him. If he never has a problem with timing, I'd go a little heavier. My little noddle armed kid is the led off hitter, not because he hits tanks but always makes contact and fast.

I should add the best bat for a kid is the one that makes him feel comfortable and confident at the plate.... 90% of hitting is in between the ears!!

That’s Eli. He’s not hitting bombs but he gets in base and he flies around them. Since him getting the ICON he’s been hitting tanks, but it could be in his head and he’s just swinging harder.

 

[skifaster]

Yea I ran into Beck and a few others at practice. NLL basically pushed me and my team out. Long story and lots of drama but it is what it is. The numbers are also up for Norco but competition level is way down.

Sorry to hear as I know you did a lot for the league including the Umpiring. Nobody got pushed out of CNLL, I'll just keep my $.02 out of it since several of those folks are now at Web and a lot of my Sons friends. Its too bad. This year interleague is with CALL and Temescal, not Norco this time.

 

[Badchoices03]

My son who just turned 14 just started playing baseball last in fall of 2023, so he only has 2 fall seasons and 1 spring season under his belt....needless to say, his hitting isnt the greatest...the thing that irritated me the most is my son had both an entry level $100 Easton bat, then we bought him a Cat X Composite for his bday to start out his first spring season...obviously the bat didnt help him but just trying to build his confidence...then he started swinging a wood bat for fun, and the next thing you know he starts getting consistent hits in the game....then for some reason his coach went on a rant and said no wood bats in games (mind you my son was the only one swinging a woody)...well after that he went back into a hitting slump and couldnt connect for the life of him...

 

[BHC Vic]

Sorry to hear as I know you did a lot for the league including the Umpiring. Nobody got pushed out of CNLL, I'll just keep my $.02 out of it since several of those folks are now at Web and a lot of my Sons friends. Its too bad. This year interleague is with CALL and Temescal, not Norco this time.

Norco is going to have a lot of problems but same I’ll leave my .02 out no one cares anyways I really hope we find a home at web but I’ve learned how quickly things change in travel ball

 

[BHC Vic]

My son who just turned 14 just started playing baseball last in fall of 2023, so he only has 2 fall seasons and 1 spring season under his belt....needless to say, his hitting isnt the greatest...the thing that irritated me the most is my son had both an entry level $100 Easton bat, then we bought him a Cat X Composite for his bday to start out his first spring season...obviously the bat didnt help him but just trying to build his confidence...then he started swinging a wood bat for fun, and the next thing you know he starts getting consistent hits in the game....then for some reason his coach went on a rant and said no wood bats in games (mind you my son was the only one swinging a woody)...well after that he went back into a hitting slump and couldnt connect for the life of him...

I like wood bats because you have to barrel it up with a wood bat. The wood bat tournaments the start w a 2-2 count are some of my favorite

 

[Flying_Lavey]

There is a comedian that talks about this goes something like this......

"Do you really need the $500 bat? You're 8 years old and see 4 quality pitches all year." I think he makes a REALLY strong point there. The number of pitches may be exaggerated, but the intent isn't.

Take the cheapest -10 bat you can find, have a wrap done on it and I can damn near guarantee you the kids won't notice much of any difference. lol! Is there a difference in the bats...... sure. Is it one that children will notice, not likely.

 

[TPayne]

I will say that it's more the Indian than the arrow, BUT in U Trip the upper end bats perform significantly better than budget bats. Not only is exit velo way better, but sweet spot as well. USA and BBCOR there is way less overall difference in bats as they are performance limited.

 

[BHC Vic]

There is a comedian that talks about this goes something like this......

"Do you really need the $500 bat? You're 8 years old and see 4 quality pitches all year." I think he makes a REALLY strong point there. The number of pitches may be exaggerated, but the intent isn't.

Take the cheapest -10 bat you can find, have a wrap done on it and I can damn near guarantee you the kids won't notice much of any difference. lol! Is there a difference in the bats...... sure. Is it one that children will notice, not likely.

In little league with the USA bats I agree. With the U trip bats at this level the balls just jump off the bat. Home runs go way way up

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Hype Fire
CAT X
ICON

Nothing beats the sound of a CAT X!

 

[BHC Vic]

He decided he wanted the ICON. Bat is pretty hot. Kid was smoking them yesterday!

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

He decided he wanted the ICON. Bat is pretty hot. Kid was smoking them yesterday! View attachment 1474801

Nice! The ICON is hot out of the wrap.

Not sure if you are familiar but we have bought and sold a ton of bats on Sideline Swap. Since Colin is playing HS ball, we needed to get him a new BBCOR and found a brand new, in box, in wrap, CAT X for $200 over the summer.