Article by R. Nelson
It used to be simple, a bat was one piece of wood, aluminum, or composite. Two piece bats are the trend now and will be for the foreseeable future.
Almost all of the higher priced bats are two pieces and you should not pay the same price for a one piece bat made of the same material. Don’t get me wrong. One piece bats are fine and are preferred by many. All I’m saying is that a one piece bat should cost less than a two piece bat if it’s made of the same material.
Louisville who won the stiff handle vs. flex handle debate lost the one piece vs. two piece debate. Easton and Demarini are way out in front on this technology and Louisville just joined the party for the 2009 model year. Their bat is a three piece design and is being touted as “bonded to a one piece bat”. You can get more detail on this bat at Louisville Baseball Bat Reviews.
The major benefit given for a two piece bat is that it gives more flex to the barrel and, hence, increases the trampoline effect. I haven’t seen any independent scientific study that provides proof of this, but I think it makes sense and they’re here to stay.
In the end one or two piece bats are a personal choice. But you’re being taken for ride if you’re paying the same for a one piece. I would not recommend buying a one piece bat if the cost is less than to the nearest two piece bat for that manufacturer.
A great example is the Louisville Exogrid (a good bat that my son used for two years) that now retails for 9. Yet the new Triton with it’s “three” piece design retails for 9. The Exogrid price is way too close to the Triton. I’d expect the price of the Exogrid to drop by Spring.
Take a look at The Baseball Bat Reviews Blog for lots of great information on baseball bats.
I’ve spent a lot of time over the years searching for quality information for Baseball Bat Reviews. With two sons playing ball for the last 12 years I’ve always tried to stay on top of the latest innovations, while avoiding the hype and, quite honestly, the unnecessary costs. I developed this information to give you some information that wasn’t available to me over the years. I hope you find it useful.
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