In addition to the offerings we've come to expect from the Rawlings 5150, the 2016 iteration will also contain a hybrid bat in the senior league big barrel market.
Models Overview
This two piece 2 3/4 bat will use the same alloy found in the other 2016 5150's for the barrel, but also add a composite handle on the bat to help dampen sting.
Construction & Technology
Other than that unique senior league big barrel hybrid, the other 2016 Rawlings 5150 will continue to be a single piece of alloy from the handle through the barrel. Like last year's model, it also has an extended composite end cap covering about two inches of the end of the barrel. While this makes the traditional 5150 a multi-piece bat, it is often referred to as a single piece alloy simply because there is no transition between the handle and barrel to a different material.
Performance Comparison
Before last year, the 5150 was considered an end-loaded bat. In 2015 (and 2016) Rawlings added a composite end cap--the same one found on the VELO. This lowered the swing weight of the 5150 dramatically. As a result, many vendors' websites and YouTube videos claim the 5150 is now balanced. But that information isn't particularly helpful considering the Rawlings VELO---which vendors also claim is balanced---has a noticeably lighter swing weight than the 5150. To make it clear, we like to refer to the VELO as having a hand-load while the 5150 is balanced. Hopefully, one day, the nomenclature will catch on.
Comparable Bats
By way of comparison to other bats on the market:
- The single piece 5150 could be considered an end loaded version of the 2016 Rawlings VELO.
- Its nearest competitor on the market is probably Louiville Slugger's 516 Omaha---although the Omaha doesn't have the extended composite end cap.
- Another similar bat to the 5150 single piece may be the Mizuno Generations---which also has varying wall thickness along the barrel for better weight distribution. But the Generations is more hand-loaded than the balanced 2016 5150.
- The new Senior League hybrid 5150 may have a similar competitor in the NVS Vexxum from DeMarini and the 716 Select from Slugger---both of which are also two-piece hybrids with a slight end load.
- The 5150's swing weight comes in about 10% heavier than the VELO making it similar, in swing weight, to the Voodoo Raw.
